Lonestar State Showdown: 16U Standout Forwards

A 6'7” low-post presence who wasted no time finding his shot. Nelson was quick to turn over his left shoulder, using his size and reach to finish over the top. He also looked to pass out of the post, facing up, pivoting, and showing the vision to hit open shooters on the perimeter. A classic big man with feel, footwork, and finesse.     Elite effort and hustle on the defensive side of the ball. Jackson sprinted to his spots with purpose and displayed a reliable understanding of defensive rotations and drop coverage. He closed out hard without giving up the drive, often contesting or even blocking jump shots. On the boards, he was physical when boxing out and showed an ability to rebound out of his area, making him a constant force on the glass.     Massive rim protector who clogged the lane and prevented easy or open layups. Siler used his length to stuff interior shot attempts, often without even needing to leave his feet. He anchored the defense with great timing, positioning, and physical presence in the paint.     Spooner showed an effectiveness as both a stretch forward and interior presence. He was able to post up and catch entry passes, using his size and touch to finish around the rim. In transition, he spotted up beyond the arc and stepped into shots with rhythm, knocking them down, showing confidence as a floor spacer.     Pure energy, nonstop motor, and a true dog on the floor. Smith had elite timing as a rim protector, challenging everything that came inside and either forcing a miss or getting a clean block. His wingspan allowed him to defend multiple positions, both on the wing and in the post. He controlled the boards and created extra possessions in crunch time, and his voice echoed on the floor with consistent communication and leadership.