TeamARETE High School Preview: Breakout Frontcourt Upperclassmen

Whether it's rim protection, switchability, or offensive polish, this group has the tools to impact winning at a high level. Here's a breakdown of the breakout frontcourt prospects from the Team ARETE DFW Preview.    At 6'10”, [player_tooltip player_id='2831024' first='Kameron' last='Smith'] is a lefty stretch-forward who can pull up and shoot it with confidence. His versatility stood out as he grabbed rebounds and pushed the ball coast-to-coast for finishes at the rim. Smith snatched boards at their highest point, often rising over opponents and leaving them no chance. Off the ball, he spaced the floor effectively but also showed a knack for ducking in, catching with arms extended, keeping it high, and finishing strong with two hands off two feet.     At 6'7”, [player_tooltip player_id='2554958' first='Jack' last='Burley'] brought a solid blend of size, motor, and productivity. His motor fuels his entire game, playing through contact, defending multiple positions, and bringing consistent physicality and effort. Burley was the type of player who's always involved, sprinting the floor in transition, crashing the glass with purpose, and rotating defensively with urgency. His activity level and willingness to do the dirty work make him a reliable presence on both ends.     [player_tooltip player_id='2415878' first='Akanna' last='Ngene'] proved to be a major clog in the lane defensively, altering drives and shots inside while setting a physical tone early. His active hands and long reach made him disruptive when contesting or rebounding, and he used his length to finish soft jump hooks around the rim. Ngene has tons of untapped potential, especially as a pick-and-roll threat with his combination of size, hands, and mobility.     Clayton Carter is a constant competitor with polished ball skills and a strong basketball IQ. He's capable of initiating actions, controlling tempo, and reading defenses multiple steps ahead. Carter facilitated effectively from the high post, threading bounce passes to shooters above the arc and dropping pinpoint high dimes over defenders to find cutters.     Fletcher Bond provided a strong post presence as a defensive anchor and interior enforcer. He embraced contact, held his ground in the paint, and made his presence felt as a rim protector and rebounder.     Kade Perry wasn't afraid to battle and compete against bigger, taller opponents under the rim. He consistently kept them off the glass with physical box-outs and a quick first and second jump that allowed him to win rebounding battles and maintain possession through effort and toughness.

Whether it's rim protection, switchability, or offensive polish, this group has the tools to impact winning at a high level. Here's a breakdown of the breakout frontcourt prospects from the Team ARETE DFW Preview.