Arizona Preps: Skilled Forwards

Gregg Rosenberg November 13, 2024 @ 12:00 PM

October 26th I attended the 26th annual Arizona Preps Fall Showcase. Director Anthony Ray had high school and prep teams going at it playing two games each at Inspire Courts in Gilbert, AZ.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Here are some Skilled Forwards I viewed</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='2039513' first='DJ' last='Spencer'] Desert Vista (Pictured)   A combo forward is a tough lefty who can score from the high post and in. He will spin off his defender to the basket which is tough to handle with quick moves to the basket. He also showed that he is extending his shooting range to the three point line.      [player_tooltip player_id='1612468' first='Cameron' last='Williams'] St. Mary's   A tall, long and highly skilled power forward is a shot maker. He is being more aggressive this season with corner threes, mid-range pull-ups and inside buckets. He will always rack up rebounds and blocks in bunches with either hand.     [player_tooltip player_id='2551867' first='Ethan' last='Croley'] Phhoenix Prep OTE   The man in the middle for the Overtime Elite team is Croley. He is very strong and physical true post to score inside the paint but also shows some finesse and can step out and shoot the three. He has counter moves and will score them thru contact. He is also a good passer off the double team or at the high post.    [player_tooltip player_id='1391440' first='Kaidon' last='Rayfield'] Phhoenix Prep OTE   A long and somewhat lean forward showed off looking like a big fluid wing. He is very graceful and he is a plus athlete. He shoots the three easily, will rip thru and score some and-1's thru contact. He rebounds everything and will block shots out of his area. He has maybe a +6 wingspan and is just figuring it out how good he can be.      [player_tooltip player_id='1804624' first='Elijah' last='Hayeems'] Phhoenix Prep OTE   A wing forward is the teams floor spacer. He is a catch and shoot three point gunner. He has long arms with great size and gets the ball out of his hands quickly. He smartly moves without the ball and relocates to get his shot off. He rebounds well in his area and runs the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='1379909' first='Carson' last='Grier'] Valley Christian    A bigger forward plays the point guard role at times and is a very good passer for his size. He uses that size to score inside the paint, drive the lane and will shoot it from the perimeter. An almost impossible cover at the 3A level.   [player_tooltip player_id='1938362' first='Jamison' last='Fox'] Arcadia   A good showing by the tall and long power forward. He scored with alley-oop dunks, rip thrus with his left or right hand, tip-ins with great timing and offensive rebound put backs. He is getting a little stronger and makes it easier to rebound and clean the glass plus block shots. He is finally healthy, which is a great thing to see.   [player_tooltip player_id='1875407' first='Zach' last='Cutler'] AZ College Prep   A long wing forward who rebounds well in his area. He will be very pivotal for this year's team to score from inside and out. He spaces the floor perfectly with sweet shooting three point stroke as it comes off his hands quickly and can get hot in a blink of an eye.   [player_tooltip player_id='2325982' first='Stetson' last='Rowley'] Phhoenix Prep OPEN   The ALA Gilbert-North transfer is a good sized wing forward who will catch and shoot from the three point line. He has one of those strokes that look good on every release. He squares to the basket quickly and lets it fly. He is another that stays in motion to find that opening to get his shot off. He will also cut to the basket.   [player_tooltip player_id='2143671' first='Ashton' last='Musser'] St. Mary's   The big man keeps showing his progression as a scorer. He will score with drop steps, put backs and hook shots. He block shots and rebounds. He smartly keeps the ball high and outlets well to his teammates. He will be very pivotal versus the bigger AIA teams so they can play 6'10, 6'9 and 6'7 up front.

October 26th I attended the 26th annual Arizona Preps Fall Showcase. Director Anthony Ray had high school and prep teams going at it playing two games each at Inspire Courts in Gilbert, AZ.