Prep Hoops Live: Max's Post Standouts

Seven of the post prospects who stood out this past weekend in Chicago at Prep Hoops Live!    At 6'8, Owen continues to emerge as a rim protecting threat with some low-post skill on the offensive end. He has good mobility at his size, able to put himself in the right spots to make plays as a shot blocker. Against M14 he showcased good timing getting off the floor, and the ability to go straight up to avoid fouling while tipping/altering shots. Offensively he showed the hands and coordination to score out of pick & rolls in traffic, and when left isolated on the block he can finish at a high percentage with a baby hook over his left shoulder.     Sage was one of the best all-around prospects in attendance over the weekend. At 6'9, he's not simply a post player. Sage stepped out and hit a handful of threes across the two games I watched, while also showing the skill to take a defensive rebound and push the break on his own. Hanson handles it really well at 6'9, and can blow by opposing bigs out on the perimeter to get to the rim. Is able to stay under control and play off two feet, or elevate to throw down dunks off the drive. Even when switched out onto smaller players defensively, Sage was able to move his feet and hold his own on the ball.     Derek is a physical power forward who plays a bit bigger than his size in the paint. Running with [program_tooltip program_id='2075674' first='Minnesota' last='Heat'], the East Ridge prospect was dominant on the glass, pulling in rebounds in bunches on both ends of the floor. Derek had a nice high-low assist, dribbled into a pull-up jumper from mid-range, and was setting hard screens to free up his guards throughout the game. Defensively he can defend bigger than his size because he has the strength to hold his ground on the block.     Andrew was one of the best rebounders I saw all weekend. Running with [program_tooltip program_id='2075449' first='East' last='Metro Bounce'], he was cleaning up everything on the glass, helping limit any second chance opportunities for ABC Young Lions, while also earning extra possessions for his team. Did a great job of tipping out misses on the offensive end to keep possessions alive for his team, with a lot of those extra effort plays resulting in buckets for his team. Holding a small lead late in the game, he helped secure stops on the defensive end by pulling in rebounds in traffic.     Ahmi is an intriguing prospect in North Dakota's 2027 class. At 6'8 he has some size and strength to compete in the paint, but also impressed with his touch away from the basket. Ahmi drained a few jumpers against Wisconsin Breakaway, proving to be a pick & pop threat who can make you pay for sagging off. Good hands and coordination to catch and finish on the move at the rim. Nice blend of size and skill at 6'8.     Jayden was a key player in a high powered 937 Hoop Dreams offense. At 6'3 he has a blend of strength and footwork to go to work out of the block. If you didn't double him, he was going to back his way into deep post position and finish over the top of his defender. Did a great job of running the floor for transition buckets, showed the hands to catch dump-off passes in traffic, and sent a couple of shots flying back to sender on the defensive end. May not have eye catching size at 6'3, but he's a walking double-double who plays bigger than his listed height.     Maceo is an intriguing prospect whose best basketball lies ahead. At 6'5 he's an explosive athlete who can make plays as a shot blocker or transition finisher. Has no problem moving his feet out on the wing, and has the speed to recover and make plays at the rim. Offensively was at his best slashing to the basket with off-ball cuts or sprinting the floor in transition. Still a pretty raw prospect, but has the physical tools that you just can't teach.

Seven of the post prospects who stood out this past weekend in Chicago at Prep Hoops Live!