Big Men Taking Over The New Year

We have a bevy of really talented and productive bigs in North Carolina that have been really impactful in helping their team win games all season long. They do the dirty work and don't always get the glory but we're going to spend some time shining some light on some bigs through NC scattered throughout the rankings that are playing really well right now!    Greene is proving to be one of NC's most physically imposing bigs and it doesn't take a ton of time viewing him to understand why. A legit 6'10" with a really strong frame to work with, Greene is a true presence on the interior at both ends of the floor. Fike is having a really good season thus far at 13-4. Greene is leading the charge for Fike averaging 15.4 Points, 13.0 Rebounds, and 4.7 Blocks per game. He's shooting 69% from the floor and 51% from the line as well. Greene is a true throwback anchor type big who is starting to show some real progress in toning the physique up as well. Expect Greene to see some pop in his recruitment as the spring and summer approach quickly.     Smith is a classic case of being a high quality producer while still showing flashes of potential at an early age, making him one of the best prospects in NC regardless of class. Queen's Grant is 20-3 this season under Coach Joe Badgett and Smith is a monster reason behind this success. As a sophomore this season, Smith is averaging 16.5 Points, 7.8 Rebounds, 2.0 Assists, and 0.9 Blocks per game. He's doing all of that on 68/28/78 splits as well. Smith can stretch the floor and I fully expect the efficiency from beyond the arc to catch up to the rest percentages over the next couple of years. He's got great touch everywhere and is clearly a worker, no reason to believe that won't continue to develop. He's got great size and a great frame to go with an outstanding foundational skillset to work with. Smith will continue to produce, win, and eventually see a real uptick in his recruitment and status nationally.     Hill has been a consistent producer for a Panther Creek team that is really hitting their stride as they're sitting at 5-2 in conference play including a 3-1 record since the turn of the new year. Only a sophomore, Hill is averaging an impressive 8.7 Points, 7.4 Rebounds, 2.1 Assists, 2.2 Blocks, and 0.9 Steals. Hill is still developing in a lot of ways but is showing that he can productive as his skillset rounds into form. He's a quality dunker spot option and roll man in ball screen actions. He's hit a few shots from beyond the arc this year so he has the ability to stretch the floor from time to time. His calling cards right now are his versatility and activity, two incredibly valuable things for this team. Hill has a high ceiling and it will be really fun to watch him develop over the next 2-3 years.     Haynes has a chance to be a really high quality late addition to a scholarship program because he's a really strong interior finisher and multi-positional defender. Providence Day is enjoying another winning season sitting at 14-5 at the time of writing and Haynes is a major part of the success. Haynes is a really high level offensive rebounder, it's arguably his best skill on the floor. He simply has a nose for the ball, great anticipation, and really knows how to use his physical gifts to carve out space on that end of the floor. He's got the handle and footwork to expose slower bigs off the bounce and he's simply too big/strong for normal wings to guard him. Expect Haynes to help lead Providence Day on a deep NCISAA playoff run and him to get some real uptick in his recruitment soon.     Big Prince as he's become known in the HoopState is helping Forsyth Country Day have a really special season thus far. This is one of the state's most stacked rosters and Nwokemodo has embraced his role off the bench as a change of pace big. The luxury of bringing Nwokemodo off the bench is a very real thing for Forsyth Country Day. He brings a real anchor defensively, a true vertical spacer, and a dynamic physical edge he can provide on the interior. Forsyth Country Day is 22-2 on the season and Nwokemodo is averaging 5.6 Points, 2.3 Rebounds, and 1.3 Blocks per game off the bench. Numbers that don't really pop but they're super important for this teams success. He's also 80% from the floor all season, all of those shots coming right at the rim.

We have a bevy of really talented and productive bigs in North Carolina that have been really impactful in helping their team win games all season long. They do the dirty work and don't always get the glory but we're going to spend some time shining some light on some bigs through NC scattered throughout the rankings that are playing really well right now!