Spring Stock Risers - The Bigs II

Today, we'll wrap up our Spring Stock Risers series with a look at the big men.   Below are five prospects that have showed up and shown out on the hardwood this spring and in the process, made college coaches take notice.    Thorpe, an intriguing young big out of Northfield Mount Hermon, has had some impressive moments on the hardwood this spring while running with Expressions Elite. An agile big, he moves really well for someone with his height, particularly at such a young age. He's gotten stronger, and subsequently, more athletic, while continuing to show a good feel for the game. He scores over either shoulder in the post, runs the floor really well in transition, and can knock down shots in the mid-range. He does a good job of rebounding around the rim, offers some shot blocking, and has the mobility needed to guard on the perimeter in stretches.     Akot Bol, a big with impressive measurables out of the MacDuffie School, has taken his game to another level with Expressions Elite this spring. Few, if any, prospects in the class of 2027 have his combination of height and length, and when combined with his impressive agility, he becomes one of the more intriguing long term prospects in New England. He's a strong presence around the rim defensively, blocking and altering a high number of shots. He needs to continue to get stronger, but shows a willingness to mix it up physically and can rebound in space and in traffic. Offensively, he's a threat to score as a roller out of ball screens and on catches around the rim, showing a huge catch radius and improving hands.     Smith, a versatile big out of Kimball Union Academy, continues to impress with his two-way production while playing for the New England Storm on the travel circuit. A skilled big man on the offensive end of the floor, he's done a nice job over the last 12 months of adjusting to an elevated level of competition, showing the ability to score at multiple levels, make passes out of double teams, and function as the hub of an offensive from multiple spots in the half-court. He's a good mover that gets up and down the floor well, uses his length to his advantage defensively, and can finish plays both above the rim and through contact in the paint.     Baum, a skilled big out of the Noble & Greenough School, has looked more comfortable than ever on the court this spring while playing for the Middlesex Magic on the HGAL circuit. A high IQ big with an impressive feel for the game when he has the ball in his hands, he's playing harder and with more physicality than he has in the past. He has an improved motor as a rebounder, moves his feet well which allows him to guard multiple positions, and can block shots from the help side. Offensively, He can handle the ball in space, breaks down defenders off the bounce as a driver, and shows impressive floor vision as a passer. He's one of the more versatile offensive big men in the region.     Webb, a do-it-all big out of Deerfield Academy, has made the most of his opportunities this spring and impressed for the Middlesex Magic on the HGSL circuit. He's leaned out a bit, but still plays with wiry strength and good athleticism. He's long, which he uses to his advantage as a finisher around the rim and as a defender when guarding on the perimeter. He covers ground quickly with long strides, which shows in his ability to run the floor in transition and make plays defensively from the help side. On top of that, he can operate with the ball in his hand on the block, from the elbows, and from the high post.

Today, we'll wrap up our Spring Stock Risers series with a look at the big men.