We Like The Bigs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state of Missouri will have to replace some very talented bigs. [player_tooltip player_id='1557399' first='Sheek' last='Pearson'], the 6'11” forward from John Burroughs, has reclassified into the Class of 2025 and will attend Marquette.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class of 2026 forwards, 6'9 Jamison White and 6'8 Jahidi White Jr, have transferred from Chaminade to the Illinois side at East St Louis. [player_tooltip player_id='1850526' first='Tristan' last='Reed'], a 6'9 All-State forward from John Burroughs, will play his senior year at Link Academy. Tyran Frazier, the 6'10 2027 forward, will be playing with RWE in the Overtime Elite in Atlanta after two years at Hazelwood East</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the departure of these talented bigs, it's time to take a look at some more big prospects who are ready to fill the void.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2817300,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_1184.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/IMG_1184.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2817300" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2544040' first='Mach' last='Mayom'] (Benton): The 6'10" 2026 forward has continued to improve with each season. He was a major factor in Benton's run to the Class 4 state championship game last season. He plays with great activity around the basket as a rebounder and shot blocker. He is also a nice lob threat and rim runner. His offensive game has continued to get better with good moves and touch inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2886971,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3746.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3746.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2886971" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2334910' first='Sekou' last='Cisse'] (Principia): The 6'9" 2027 forward has developed into quite a force around the basket. He established himself as an elite rebounder earlier in his career. Now, his offensive game as continued to catch up with his defense and rebounding. He seals defenders well with his strength and he also has some finesse to his game with good footwork. He spins off the contact along the baseline and he has a nice jump hook over the left shoulder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1966999,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/John-Fleeman.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/John-Fleeman.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1966999" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1790002' first='John' last='Fleeman'] (Kingsville): The 7'0" 2026 center had a strong summer season with ETGmidwest. The big fella has a very skilled offensive package around the basket. He uses his big body to get position, then he can go to work with either hand with drop steps and jump hooks. He can also step out and knock down 3-pointers. He also passes it well from the high post.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2887230,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3371.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3371.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2887230" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1850452' first='Landon' last='Van Pelt'] (Oak Park): The 6'9" 2026 power forward will be at Oak Park for his last year after transferring from Lee's Summit. He uses his 270-pound frame in the low post very well with his strength, but his overall skill set is very solid. He can also put the ball on the floor, shoot the perimeter jumper and hit open cutters with his passing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2306067,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/IMG_8405.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/IMG_8405.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2306067" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2352744' first='Henry' last='Kokal'] (Parkway Central): A 6'8" 2026 forward who is one of the top returning post players in the St. Louis area. He played with the [program_tooltip program_id='2075378' first='MPJ' last='Elite'] 17U squad during the summer. He has the strength and physicality to be a force around the basket. He has good moves and a nice touch around the basket. He is also a tough rebounder at both ends of the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>********</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2873791,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/Oliver-Puljic.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/Oliver-Puljic.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2873791" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1872264' first='Oliver' last='Puljic'] (Summit): The 6'8" 2026 forward is primed for a big senior season after a strong summer with the [program_tooltip program_id='2075283' first='Arsenal' last='Hoops'] 17U. He is a very skilled player around the basket with good footwork and a variety of moves. He has also moved his game to the perimeter with his ability to drive it along with an improved shooting stroke from 3-point range. He has received an offer from Missouri Southern.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2889133,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3461_a13bf2.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3461_a13bf2.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2889133" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2090488' first='Jacob' last='Miller'] (Penney): The 6'8" 230-pound 2026 forward is one of the top small-school bigs in the state. He is a force around the basket as he averaged 20 points and 14 rebounds as a junior. He's strong and he doesn't mind the physical contact in the paint. He has power moves and he will throw down dunks in traffic. He played with the 816 Hoops 17U during the summer. When he was with his high school team, he was also doing a lot of perimeter work as he handled the ball and knocked down 3-pointers. His game as continued to expand.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2839146,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/eZy-Watermark_14-04-2025_07-59-07-0470AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/eZy-Watermark_14-04-2025_07-59-07-0470AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2839146" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2564264' first='Mamadou' last='Barry'] (Vianney): A 7'1" 2028 center who made some very positive strides during the summer with the Gateway-Knights. He is a mobile rim-runner who has also emerging as an top rim protector. Not only was he blocking and altering shots in the paint, he was getting opposing offensive players to avoid shooting in his area. He has improved offensive skills with his ability to catch and score with a nice touch. He is still in the early stages of his development, but look out. His arrow is moving up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->