HS Preview: ’27 Breakout F/C Candidates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school season in Southern California is just under a month away and we wanted to take some time to shine a spotlight on some players who are poised to make a big leap as players and recruits. Below we take a look at five junior forwards and centers who we believe will boost their stock.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2815162' first='Carson' last='Butler'] | Roosevelt | *Pictured</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Butler spent most of his sophomore season on the junior varsity level where those valuable minutes translated to him being an effective player for Compton Magic's 16u 3SSB team over the summer. The 6-foot-8 four/five man has an intriguing combination of size, mobility, athleticism and skill that will be put to the test this season as he steps into a bigger role on the Mustangs varsity squad. Butler is most effective as a transition rim-runner and finisher who has shown the ability to step out to the perimeter and knock down face-up jumpers off the catch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2647209' first='Daniel' last='Wol'] | [player_tooltip player_id='2763310' first='Rancho' last='Christian']</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wol did not play last season due to a combination of the CIF Southern Section mandated sit out period for transfers and an injury that sidelined him after the SOP was completed. Wol is back in uniform this season and looking to get back to the form he was in as a freshman at San Bernardino Aquinas where he averaged better than 13 points and 11 rebounds per game in the 2023-24 season. The 6-foot-8 forward/center has an active body with quick vertical pop and a high motor that results in him being a consistent double-double threat each time he takes the floor. Wol's length and anticipation allow him to protect the rim and he has flashed some perimeter shot-making ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2435390' first='Ender' last='Berg'] | Legacy Christian</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Berg opened some eyes during the spring and summer with his high school and club teams and, with the loss of talented sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2746607' first='Josh' last='Lowery'] to Sierra Canyon, the 6-foot-10 center has a chance to be a go-to guy this season. Berg is a long, wiry and mobile five-man with soft hands and touch around the basket who has improved his physicality and vertical athleticism. The junior is a lob threat in ball-screen action or out of the dunker spot and uses his length well when contesting and altering shots around the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2916716' first='Jaythan' last='Pickney'] | Verbum Dei</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pickney is the most unheralded prospect on this list but I can see him becoming an interesting target for Division II, and NAIA programs as a four or five man. At 6-feet-6 with a long and burly frame, the best way to describe his game is unorthodox but highly productive as his ability to get downhill to his right hand in transition and half-court settings and power through contact makes him an effective at-rim finisher. Pickney has also shown defensive versatility with physicality, rim protection and lateral speed allowing him to defend in multiple scenarios.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2194707' first='Jordyn' last='Houston'] | La Mirada</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Houston has a lot of skill that he brings to the table for La Mirada and his ability to stretch the floor with off-catch three-point shots will be the skill that stands out the most. The 6-foot-6 forward can operate in pick-and-pop situations or spot-up situations where he consistently stretches the floor to the three-point line. Houston is also capable of triggering offense with his ball skills and can take advantage of smaller defenders in the post with size, physicality and touch to his right hand.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->