SoCal Fall Prep Classic: Standout Forwards/Centers

Devin Ugland October 4, 2024 @ 06:15 PM

<p>ORANGE — Gerry Freitas' annual SoCal Fall Prep Classic was held last weekend at Santiago Canyon College and featured many of the state's top programs and a handful of strong out-of-state teams from Utah and Arizona. Below we break down the top big men we saw.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1572969' first='Asher' last='Schroeder'] | 2025 | Jesuit </h4>   <p>Schroeder is a physical slashing wing with a good burst of speed and pop off the floor when driving and finishing around the basket. The 6-foot-5 forward seeks out contact in the lane and uses his strong frame to power through defenders for high percentage buckets. Schroeder's leaping ability also allows him to elevate and finish over rim protectors.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1630644' first='Blake' last='Davidson'] | 2025 | Mater Dei</h4>   <p>Davidson is one of the best passing big men that we have in Southern California but he has shown improvements with his ability to play through contact over the last few months. The 6-foot-9 forward has a wiry frame but stays on balance through interior bumps and can score around the basket with either hand.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2675091' first='Cameron' last='Williams'] | 2026 | St. Mary's (AZ)</h4>   <p>Holmes is oozing with potential and showed flashes of what that looks like. The 6-foot-10 forward is a fluid athlete with length, coordination and plenty of room to build on his frame. Williams has some skill to his game when stepping out on the perimeter and knocking down face-up jumpers. He's also a transition rim-runner with the hands and touch to catch, gather and finish around the rim.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1146666' first='Chamberlain' last='Burgess'] | 2025 | Orem (UT)</h4>   <p>Burgess is a highly-skilled 6-foot-9 forward whose inside-out scoring ability and combination of length, athleticism and ball skills have made him one of the biggest stock-risers in the country over the last few months. Burgess can step out and knock down face-up jumpers, drive by bigger, slower defenders and finish at the rim and has a traditional post skill-set to use to his advantage.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Jarne Elouna-Eyenga | 2025 | JSerra</h4>   <p>Elouna-Eyenga had to sit out last season as an international transfer but his recruitment began to pick up over the spring and summer and will continue to do so this season. The 6-foot-8 forward is as skilled as they come at the position and can operate in a variety of ways on the offensive end. Eyenga has touch out to the three-point line but is best inside with the utilization of his footwork, basketball IQ and touch.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Nick Welch | 2027 | Rolling Hills Prep</h4>   <p>Welch is a prospect to track closely over the next three seasons as the sophomore has an impressive fundamental base to his game and the ability to play a more traditional big man type of role and step out for pick-and-pop shots when needed. Welch has great low block footwork and uses his broad shoulders to clear out space and establish deep post position.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Taiwo Daramola | 2027 | Bakersfield Christian</h4>   <p>Daramola is a raw overall prospect who needs continued development but he does possess some traits that are mostly things you can't develop in his size, length, athleticism and motor. The 6-foot-8 forward gives great effort and energy on both ends of the floor, can guard multiple positions, protects the rim, rebounds and runs the floor with purpose.</p>

ORANGE — Gerry Freitas' annual SoCal Fall Prep Classic was held last weekend at Santiago Canyon College and featured many of the state's top programs and a handful of strong out-of-state teams from Utah and Arizona. Below we break down the top big men we saw.