Spring Stock-risers: PA 17U forwards and bigs

With the spring recruiting period in the rearview as the calendar turns to June and focus shifts to the upcoming scholastic live periods, here's a recap of several 17U forwards and bigs from across the state who boosted their stock with their play on the grassroots circuit over the past several weeks.    Splitting his spring between [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] and Team Melo, Pereira never necessarily jumped off the page statistically but nonetheless showed notable progress while battling with some of the nation's best athletes in the frontcourt. The throwback-style low-post threat has been effective and efficient in limited minutes in EYBL play, converting consistently around the rim and showing himself to be a capable rebounder and rim protector against a higher level of competition and athleticism than he's seen in the past. There's still upside to tap into, as Pereira is still relatively inexperienced and won't turn 17 until later in June. His progress and upside was recognized with La Salle extending him his first offer, as a slew of low and mid-major programs prepare to watch him later this month in the live periods.     The appeal has always been evident with Dennis, as the jumbo wing forward offers an enticing blend of size, fluidity, and shotmaking potential. A former baseball prospect still in his first calendar year of focusing full-time on hoops, he's shown important steps of turning potential into production over the course of the spring in the HGSL and elsewhere. Dennis has been effective in keeping it simple but remaining aggressive and impactful no matter the competition, highlighted by a weekend averaging over 15 and seven boards against a collection of UAA and EYBL teams. The versatile forward is being tracked closely by high-academic D1 programs with his first offer figuring to be around the corner if he keeps up this level of play into the summer.     The numbers haven't necessarily been gaudy but anyone who's watched [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] this spring would be remiss in failing to note the progress of Wheatley in the frontcourt. Coming off a quietly impressive All-PCL campaign, the versatile hybrid forward has continued his consistent play while condensing down into a complementary role off the bench in the EYBL. Wheatley has been effective as a versatile play-finisher offensively, working the baseline for athletic finishes inside or spacing the floor for catch-and-shoot 3s. His versatility extends to the other end where he's impressed playing bigger than his size for a smaller team. Low-majors have started to prioritize the young rising senior with some mid-majors beginning to recognize his potential as a long-term bet.     Similarly to Pereira and Wheatley, Barning has seized the opportunity presented by the national stage of EYBL competition by producing efficiently and energetically in limited minutes. The pogo-stick hybrid forward has been a consistent spark athletically and averaged over 10 points and six boards in the two games he's played over 16 minutes, showing glimpses of the long-term potential he provides to a future college program. His stock will only continue to rise if he can add a consistent jumper from the perimeter, which he's flashed in the past but struggled to incorporate this spring. Barning received his first offer last month from UMass Lowell with a handful of other D1s tracking the Canadian product heading into his prep year at Phelps.     A rising junior playing up on the 17U level, Ikamba is coming off a run to the state championship game in his first full season in the U.S. and has continued showcasing himself this spring as one of the higher-upside frontcourt prospects in the state. The native of D.R. Congo is a High-octane rim-running big who's hyper-athletic near the rim but with good touch and a slowly expanding arsenal of moves. He has elite physical tools as a rim protector and working out of the dunker spot while changing ends like a gazelle. Ikamba still needs further development but certainly fits the mold desired at the high-major level, with a chance to really turn eyes heading into Philly Live later this month.

With the spring recruiting period in the rearview as the calendar turns to June and focus shifts to the upcoming scholastic live periods, here's a recap of several 17U forwards and bigs from across the state who boosted their stock with their play on the grassroots circuit over the past several weeks.