King of the City: 2027 Forward Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I attended the annual&nbsp;<em>Hoopers Only</em>&nbsp;<strong>King of the City&nbsp;</strong>AAU Tournament at the Phhacility in Phx. I watched two days of action on Friday and Saturday, March 29-30. I watched around 30 teams play one or two times in the 2 days of action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Here are some of the 2027 Forward Standouts I viewed</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2107164' first='Langdon' last='Napier'] Chaparral (APE 16) (Pictured)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A highly skilled power forward is very efficient in the paint. He will dribble drive to score in traffic plus he can step you and shoot the three off the catch. He is a very good passer and comes with skill.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2278688' first='Precious' last='Sam'] AZ Compass Prep (UH Elite 16)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A big post player who has a massive frame and comes with plus athleticism. He dunks the ball effortlessly way above the rim and with power. He runs the floor like a forward and moves well in space to defend and will block shots in the paint.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2295693' first='Maddox' last='Lazor'] Casteel (AZ Select 16 UAA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A powerfully built post player with some skill and feel. He will easily dunk it on the break way above the rim with power and can euro down the lane to score with great hands. His best skill is clearly his rebounding as he gobbles up everything near him.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1986797' first='Jase' last='Benjamin'] San Tan Charter (UH Elite 16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A wing forward is a two-way player who will score with back door cuts, he is a star on the break with a tough layup package and dunks. He will rebound in and out of his area, block shots, score with run out layups or alley-oops. He is also a great passer up the court.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2407205' first='Ja'Mir' last='Smith'] Chandler ([program_tooltip program_id='2407834' first='AZ' last='Phenoms'] 16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A athletic power forward is a little raw but long and talented. He will score with euro steps with a decent handle and super long strides. He will rip thru and go to work and will dunk it effortlessly on the break.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1873694' first='Tyrese' last='Holmes'] Brophy Prep (Hoop Code 16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A versatile wing forward can score and defend. He can play and defend multiple positions with long arms and his aggressive nature. He can hit the step back three and gets to the free throw line. He is also a sneaky good passer.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2146291' first='Jake' last='Steele'] Hamilton (AZ Gremlins Black 16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A wing forward with some skill and versatility. He can handle the ball well and can get downhill in traffic. He will make a quick burst to the basket and brings some energy on the defensive end. He rebounds in his area and makes smart reads.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2143671' first='Ashton' last='Musser'] St. Mary's (AZ Select 16 UAA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A highly skilled post player showed off his mini high school version of baby Nikola Jokic. He is a great passer with a cerebral brand of basketball. He can score it inside with his soft hands and can even step out and shoot the three.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2292818' first='O'mari' last='Gilbert'] Paradise Valley ([program_tooltip program_id='2407834' first='AZ' last='Phenoms'] 16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A hyper athletic power forward is another somewhat raw prospect but dunks it easily and will explode up plus can rip thru and score with reverse layups. He uses his length to close out to block a shot or will rebound in his area.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2107249' first='Reid' last='Hamati'] Chandler (AZ Gremlins Black 16)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An inside and out threat with good hands and feet. He has a nice touch and he is hyper efficient to score near the basket with reverse layups, hook shots and layups. He is also a good passer.   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->