Forwards on our Radar From East Coast Invitational

This week we checked in at the East Coast Invitational team camp in Jacksonville, NC to watch some of the top high school teams from the east take the stage. Here's a look at some of the 2027 and 2028 forwards that played well under our watch.    A new transfer into the Swansboro program may walk through the doors as their best player overall. The skilled 6'5 forward there some of everything at the ECI. He's a solid athlete that can handle the ball for stretches. Scored the ball at all three levels at a solid rate and even showed some unselfish traits with the passes he made in the half court.     I'm impressed with the improvements made by the 6'9 forward out of Millbrook. He does a good job of keeping the ball on rebounds and finishing on put back attempts. He plays straight up on defense and makes offensive players have to finish over the top. Pickett is a guy I expect colleges to at least take a look at in the next couple of weeks.       The big body 6'8 forward showed a nice skillset and touch out to the three-point line. He showcased his already sold around the basket game and a sense of knowing what to do when he catches the ball in the post. Millbrook will be one of the bigger frontcourts in the state and Conti will be a reason that they are effective.       Smith ran through pool play with an undefeated record, their size, and defense to swarm other teams. Stockton came out the beach and most outings, but left his mark by contributing without having a lot of sets run for him. He's a lanky left-handed forward who does most of his damage around the rim. He stepped out and hit a three pointer in one of their last games showing some promise on his shooting touch.        The new guy for the Southern Lake Academy program is another big forward who uses his body well to carve out space around the rim. He is a solid athlete who finishes above the rim with his quick jump, massive wing span, and solid all around strength.        Not many forwards in attendance play with the feel and basketball IQ of that Lusemo. He got multiple defensive rebounds where he took the ball coast to coast and made excellent passes off the live dribble. He finished at a high rate around the rim and had one of the dunks of the weekend in transition against South Central. Independence won the eventual championship and he was arguably their most important piece.       Bell goes into most matchups playing center for the smaller Rose squad. He does a good job at using his length to bang with the bigger forwards and carve out space of his own on both ends of the floor. He showed an improved ability to step out and hit the mid range with some consistency and will put the ball on the floor when need be.

This week we checked in at the East Coast Invitational team camp in Jacksonville, NC to watch some of the top high school teams from the east take the stage. Here's a look at some of the 2027 and 2028 forwards that played well under our watch.