2027 Independent Forwards to Watch This Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second full week of December is here, meaning the upcoming high school basketball season is about to start. The prep schools have already started their seasons, and the frontcourt prospects have the ability to have a big season, especially in the 2027 class. Here are the 2027 independent forward prospects to watch this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1608249' first='Josh' last='Benka-Coker'], 6'8 PF Pennington</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benka-Coker joins a Pennington squad that is looking to make noise this season. The 6'8 forward has a solid face-up game as he can put the ball on the floor and finishes nicely around the basket. Benka-Coker is unafraid of drawing contact in the paint and moves well without the ball in his hands. He works for rebounds on both ends of the floor and uses his timing to block shots around the basket. Benka-Coker's ability to impact the game at both ends of the floor will help his stock throughout the course of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2672992' first='Chiaka' last='Sanogo'], 6'9 PF Patrick School</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sanogo joins the Celtics this offseason and is looking to make an impact right away. The 6'9 forward runs the floor hard, setting himself up for easy dunks and layups in transition. Sanogo is able to get position down low and rarely forces shots in the halfcourt. He skies for rebounds on both ends of the floor and swats shots around the rim. Sanogo is an athletic forward prospect whose ability to block shots around the basket will help his game throughout the course of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2451917' first='Ben' last='Duverglas'], 6'5 SF Life Center Academy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Duverglas has the ability to play in the backcourt, which makes him an intriguing prospect to track this season. The 6'5 wing has a smooth release on his jumper and can knock down triples in bunches. Duverglas moves well without the ball in his hands, setting himself for open jumpers and layups in the halfcourt. He can also put the ball on the floor and slides his feet on the defensive end. Duverglas is a sharpshooting wing prospect who should stretch the floor throughout the course of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2107992' first='Julian' last='Van Hoeck'], 6'6 SF Hun</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Van Hoeck can play either forward position, which will help his development during the course of the season. The 6'6 forward has a solid faceup game as he can get to the rim from the perimeter and has a nice touch around the basket. Van Hoeck sets his feet before he shoots and is an underrated passer. He fights for rebounds on both ends of the floor and works hard on the defensive end. Van Hoeck is a physical forward prospect who has the potential to have a big season with his ability to score inside and out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2628236' first='Juan' last='Quinones'], 6'9 PF Patrick School</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quinones is the second Patrick School prospect on this list and is set to make an impact on the floor this season. The 6'9 forward uses his frame to get position down low and is able to draw contact in the paint. Quinones sets strong screens in the halfcourt and has a good touch around the basket. He holds his ground on the defensive end and is tough to block out on the offensive glass. Quinones' ability to control the paint at both ends of the floor will help his stock throughout the course of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->