MDPSSBT: Unsigned frontcourt players to watch

The MD Private School State Basketball Tournament tips off on Thursday night, crowning a state champion among Maryland's private school programs for the third year. There will be plenty of high-level talent participating among the 15-team field, but here we take a look at a handful of unsigned forwards and bigs looking to finish their high school careers on a high note.    Even in the portal era, it's hard to believe that Wylie can't help a D1 program next year with his blend of toughness, motor, and versatility. He brings nonstop energy to the frontcourt with an ability to score inside or out as either a focal point or from a complementary role. Wylie shines in transition with his ability to outrun opposing bigs and occasionally push it himself off the glass. He has to be accounted for consistently on both backboards and is consistently engaged defensively. There's still some polish needed in his feel and decisionmaking, but Wylie consistently brings enough to the floor to earn the right to play through his mistakes.     A hybrid forward who's been a key piece of two strong DeMatha teams, Thomas III is a classic example of a prospect who would've signed to his pick of D1 programs by this point five years ago. Despite changes in the recruiting climate, he's done enough to be deserving of a chance at that level with his ability to consistently make winning plays in a translatable complementary role. Capable of spacing the floor from the perimeter or finishing athletically inside, he's able to shine in a low-usage role in either an uptempo or halfcourt game. While not the bulkiest, he's deceptively strong with a quiet toughness banging inside with bigger players. He's not the sexiest player but there's value in guys with his skillset who are willing to consistently buy in to doing the little things.     Having battled injury throughout his time in the U.S., Jok has been able to put together a healthy senior year to showcase himself as a potential D1 rim protector. The South Sudanese big man isn't just a big body, as he shows real instincts and technique while navigating space as a pick-and-roll defender or coming over in helpside situations. There's dashes of offensive skill tossed in as well with some ability as a vertical spacer, while he also adds value as a rim-runner. Teams who play through the post offensively may not see value in Jok, but D1 programs--particularly of the high-academic variety--in need of rim protection late in the cycle should certainly be giving him a look.     The most perimeter-oriented prospect on this list, Baker consistently intrigues with his blend of size, mobility, and mismatch scoring ability. With the movement ability of a wing but the height of a true forward, he excels as a midrange scorer with an ability to rise up smoothly over smaller defenders once he gets to his spots. Baker also shows instincts as a cutter, using his size and wiry strength to finish efficiently inside. He's a pretty reliable threat to space the floor from 3 off the catch as well. The lack of ballhandling pushes him more toward the frontcourt than the wing, but scholarship-level programs up to the D1 level should be taking a long look at Baker into the late signing period.     The truest low-post prospect on this list, Spence has proven himself to be a consistent threat to get a bucket when he establishes position down low. He displays strong footwork and nimble feet making moves over either shoulder before finishing with a blend of power and craft. Spence creates good space for his guard with solid screens before sealing for deep position. Not much of a lateral mover who can struggle in uptempo games, ideally we'd like to see prospects in this mold be threats to space the floor, but there's upside for a scholarship-level program in Spence's offensive skillset on the interior.     The main senior contributor in a talented lineup of primarily juniors, Adams has shown himself to worthy of scholarship-level looks with his size and skill level up front. He's swifter than his bulkier frame would have you believe, showing craftiness as a finisher inside with both touch and power. Adams has also shown to be a threat to space the floor out to the arc. There's valid questions about his defensive fit at the D1 level, but D2 and NAIA programs should be on him at this point, with the chance for him to look like a steal should he drop to the small-college level.     A bit of a wild card who's still more of a bet for the future, Makuach earns his way onto this list by virtue of his unteachable size and length. A true 7-footer with a plus wingspan and fairly comfortable mobility, he's your typical slender big who makes his living protecting the rim and finishing inside. He's also able to change ends well in an uptempo game. While definitely still raw, Makuach could wind up being a nice long-term investment for the right D2, NAIA, or JUCO program.

The MD Private School State Basketball Tournament tips off on Thursday night, crowning a state champion among Maryland's private school programs for the third year. There will be plenty of high-level talent participating among the 15-team field, but here we take a look at a handful of unsigned forwards and bigs looking to finish their high school careers on a high note.