Young Big Men to Know After PH Spring Kickoff

The future of the frontcourt was on full display at #PHSpringKickoff, as a group of underclass big men made their presence felt on both ends. They controlled the glass, protected the rim, and showed flashes offensively that set them apart. These young prospects brought physicality and upside that stood out all weekend. With size, motor, and developing skill sets, this group proved they're names to track as they continue to grow into impact players.    I saw Horacio once in person this year against Rocky Mountain, and he took over, and that happened to be his career-best game. I saw a player who scored with ease on the block, has soft touch around the rim, and excellent footwork to get where he wants. I saw that same thing this weekend, where he showed an impressive offensive game on the block. He's light on his feet, has a great feel for the game, and is a player who lets the game come to him. I like what he does below the basket. He got it on the block and finished with his back to the basket, and also kicked it out to open guys. He has a face game, attacks in triple threat, and also had a few reverse pivots. He's going to be such a different player by the end of the summer as he's being coached by someone who is big on development and has solid guard play around him. I'm intrigued by Horacio.     Bot is a big man who had his moments for Colorado Mayhem in the games that I saw this weekend. He has some go-to moves, is a crafty finisher, and uses his length to get to where he wants. He's a big man who can put the ball on the floor, rebound over the top, and grab boards out of his zone. He also gets out and runs in transition, and that stands out for me. He's a player who should get better by summer's end, and he's a player who will be needed for his high school this season, so development is key. Liked what I saw from Deng this weekend.     Wade is one of the most talented big men in the state as he plays within himself, grabs boards in bunches, and makes life difficult for anybody trying to score in the paint. Nothing comes easy against him down low as he keeps his hands up, alters shots at the rim, and his play was why NoCo Elite went undefeated in the top bracket this weekend. The scary part about Wade is that he's a project that's only getting better each time out. He has arguably the highest ceiling in the state, as he uses all of his 6'7 frame, he's progressing offensively, and is going to be a player that is being talked about nationally soon, if I had to guess. Wade is only a freshman, and has a big game. Solid weekend for him.     With Brooks' height and skillset, playing for B&B is going to do wonders for his ceiling. He's coached hard and told how to play the right way, and this weekend, you certainly saw flashes of what he could be. He kept the ball high, he felt contact and spun off of defenders, and went up strong and finished through contact at times, and that is big for him. He was catching the ball on the block and delivering for his team offensively while still being a defensive game-changer. His length stands out, and it is now all starting to come together for him. Excited to see how his game comes along, but he stood out on the weekend.     Baker is a big man for Colorado Magic who had himself a solid weekend. He did all of the things that you want to see in a big man, he was grabbing boards and getting it to a guard, setting hard screens, and rolling, and also showed flashes of an offensive block player. He slashed and was rewarded with easy finishes. He had his way down low and got some easy putbacks, and looks promising. He uses his size, boxes out for position, and does the little things that a lot of other bigs weren't. You can see parts of his game that is going to translate, and he's a player that I am excited to see more of moving forward.

The future of the frontcourt was on full display at #PHSpringKickoff, as a group of underclass big men made their presence felt on both ends. They controlled the glass, protected the rim, and showed flashes offensively that set them apart. These young prospects brought physicality and upside that stood out all weekend. With size, motor, and developing skill sets, this group proved they're names to track as they continue to grow into impact players.