Murray Elite 17U: Five Standout Forwards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After getting a look at [program_tooltip program_id='2246861' first='Murray' last='Elite']'s crew of 17U players, we break down five forwards that jump out on their roster. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1765554"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686d4046ca00a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The main attraction for [program_tooltip program_id='2246861' first='Murray' last='Elite'] this summer, Evans has burst onto the recruiting scene big time thanks to strong performances on the 3SSB Circuit. One of a variety of reasons [program_tooltip program_id='2246861' first='Murray' last='Elite'] has posted a record of 26-4 this summer, Evans is a bouncy athlete that can swat shots around the rim and levitate above defenders for buckets in the paint. With offers from Navy, Penn, Western Illinois and several Division II programs, Evans' stock continues to rise this summer as a big that can serve as a lob threat, part-time rim protector and a rim-runner. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In addition to the aforementioned offers, Evans has received interest from programs like Georgetown, South Dakota, Yale, Columbia and others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1765553"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2897531,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686d4046ca0c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another forward out of eastern Iowa, Gerdes' calling card remains his refined skillset as a passer and scorer with incredibly soft touch around the rim. Within just a few feet of the bucket, assuming he can get his shot off, Gerdes is an automatic two points when he gets a paint touch. His vision is among the best in the state for his size and he has a strong toolkit to build with when he makes the jump to the college level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two things stood out on Monday night -- Gerdes looks like he's continued to work on his three-point shot. If he continues to shoot it anywhere near the percentage he did last season of 44.4% (12-27), he'll be in a good spot, but he also needs to shoot it more on the perimeter to validate his percentages. The other note was that Gerdes threw down a dunk -- something I haven't seen him do before. It appears he's continued to get stronger and more bouncy, another attribute that will help him see the floor in the years to come. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The other prospect with multiple Division I offers on [program_tooltip program_id='2246861' first='Murray' last='Elite'], Gerdes remains a sought-after recruit as well. Programs like Nebraska, Bryant, South Dakota and Northern Iowa have offered and remain interested.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2204894"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686d4046ca140"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The number two scorer behind now-South Dakota State freshman forward, Davis Kern last season for Linn-Marr, Hilton is best served in a secondary role in the front court. Along with the three other 17U prospects listed here, Hilton looks like an off-the-bench sparkplug that can use his length as a defender and grab boards around the rim. With a growth spurt, he looks like he'll play more on the interior for [program_tooltip program_id='2246861' first='Murray' last='Elite'] and Linn-Mar this coming year, which would afford him the opportunity to bring his guard skills to the post. One of Hilton's best attributes is his ability to find the entry pass to the post and find other bigs for open layups around the bucket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With an added level of physicality and confidence, Hilton has an opportunity to take his game to the next level and continue to garner interest from college programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As of Tuesday, Hilton committed to Wayne State in Nebraska. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1765549"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2897534,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686d4046ca1eb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A do-it-all big from an uber-athletic family (brothers Logan played football at UN and Landon plays basketball at Illinois State), Wolf is willing to do the dirty work to help his team win. A rebounder that isn't afraid to mix it up in the paint, grab offensive boards and get put-back finishes, Wolf is a headache for opposing teams on the glass. A dual-sport athlete that has received interest on the gridiron, Wolf brings a similar mentality from the football field to the basketball court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Though he isn't a prolific scorer like his high school teammate Gerdes, Wolf is a player that has a consistent effect on winning. The leading rebounder for the Tigers last winter (5.5 per game), Wolf also led his team in steals per contest (2.4 per game) and finished third in assists (2.5 per contest).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To this point in his recruitment, Wolf has received offers from South Dakota and Upper Iowa, along with interest from UC-San Diego.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2523886"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686d4046ca264"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">No, Wade is not part of the 17U squad for [program_tooltip program_id='2246861' first='Murray' last='Elite'], but he could be sooner rather than later. Already standing at 6'7" as a high school freshman this season (and now 6'8" at just 14 years old, according to his coach), the forward out of Iowa City Regina has a chance to be next up following the aforementioned big men.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After averaging 4.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game as a freshman for the Regals, Wade will need to continue to put muscle on his frame and score more this coming winter, and the summer will provide him the chance to improve his post game as well as his ability to shoot the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not super fluid at this point in his development, Wade will continue to hone his game and athleticism as he grows into his body. If he's able to do that, Regina and Murray may have a high major center or power forward on their hands in the next few years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->