Great Lakes Finals: Top Post Players

The paint was packed with production all weekend at the Prep Hoops Great Lakes Finals, as several forwards and interior players imposed their will on both ends of the floor. Whether it was bruising finishes through contact, relentless rebounding, rim protection, or polished footwork on the block, these bigs consistently stood out against strong competition. Here is a look at some of the top post players from the weekend in Chicago.   Devontey Perkins – TNBA 2027   Perkins was one of the most physically dominant players in attendance this weekend. The 6-foot-5 forward simply overwhelmed defenders with his strength, motor, and ability to finish through contact. Perkins played like a man amongst boys every time he stepped on the floor, bullying his way to the rim and consistently creating paint touches. He thrives initiating contact and powering through defenders for buckets while also controlling the glass at a high level. A pure rebound eater who pursued everything in his area, Perkins brought nonstop toughness and interior production throughout the event.   Isaac Mackey – London Ramblers 2027   Mackey proved that size is not everything when it comes to post play. Though undersized at 6-foot-5, he consistently punished thinner defenders with physicality, positioning, and strength. Mackey attacked the glass aggressively all weekend, carving out space and swallowing rebounds in traffic. He played with a hard-nosed mentality around the basket and made life difficult for opposing frontcourts with his ability to establish deep post position and finish through bodies.   Boti Szabo-Zsamba – [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] 2027   Szabo-Zsamba brought one of the more intriguing skill sets of the weekend. Standing at 6-foot-10 with a highly advanced offensive feel, he showed tremendous polish operating on the block. He seals defenders extremely well and understands how to create angles for catches even when being fronted. Once he secured position, he consistently finished efficiently around the basket. Beyond the scoring, he impacted the game with rim protection, rebounding activity, and high-level energy. Szabo-Zsamba also ran the floor hard in transition and was effective both as a traditional post scorer and as a rim-running roller in pick-and-roll action.   [player_tooltip player_id='2390523' first='Evan' last='Okey'] – All In 2028   Okey was one of the more impressive young post players at the event. The 6-foot-8 big man is a true back-to-the-basket post with soft hands and polished footwork around the rim. He plays at his own pace and never appears rushed offensively, showing comfort finishing over either shoulder with touch. Okey repeatedly gained deep position on the low block and spun off defenders for quality finishes. Defensively, he used his frame well to challenge drivers and hold ground inside. His blend of size, touch, and fundamentals made him a standout throughout the weekend.   Orville Cross – All In 2027   Cross brought a powerful and versatile presence to the floor. The well-built 6-foot-6 forward consistently finished through contact and showcased touch around the basket, including spin moves into short banks and strong transition finishes. He played with toughness defensively while also showing the mobility to put the ball on the deck and attack from the perimeter. Cross also displayed the ability to knock down open threes, adding another layer to his offensive game. His sturdy frame, athleticism, and physical style allowed him to impact the game in multiple ways.   [player_tooltip player_id='2834320' first='Danny' last='Simon'] – [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package']   Simon quietly put together a highly productive weekend with his physicality and consistency inside. The 6-foot-6 post created problems defensively by walling up against opposing bigs and using his frame effectively to force turnovers and tough shots. Offensively, he converted several second-chance opportunities through offensive rebounding and displayed quality footwork on the block. Simon stayed poised on catches, showed solid vision as a passer, and consistently used verticality well on the defensive end. His toughness and reliability around the paint stood out throughout the event.   [player_tooltip player_id='2831286' first='Nathan' last='Ottaway'] – All In 2027   Ottaway had a strong weekend operating down low for All-In. The 6-foot-6 post showcased soft touch, good feet, and an advanced understanding of how to use his body in the paint. He scored effectively with turnaround jumpers, quick hooks, and strong finishes through contact while also serving as a quality screener. Ottaway's passing ability stood out as well, giving him value as a small college-style big who can facilitate within the offense. His broad frame, reliable hands, and feel around the basket allowed him to consistently create efficient scoring opportunities.   Elynn Stearns – Phenom United 2028   Stearns brought nonstop energy every time he stepped on the floor. The hardworking big man played with a relentless motor and made opposing players miserable trying to box him out. He constantly attacked the offensive glass and generated numerous second-chance opportunities, often converting them immediately into points. Stearns also showed the ability to play above the rim with a pair of impressive dunks on Sunday. His activity level, rebounding production, and toughness helped him emerge as one of the more impactful interior players in the 2028 division.   Landon Carlson – NW United 2028   Carlson consistently made his presence felt with physical play and strong fundamentals. The 6-foot-5 post finished through contact around the basket and battled relentlessly for rebounds and loose balls. He showed comfort scoring with a jump hook while also protecting the paint effectively with blocked shots and interior defense. Carlson's toughness, positioning, and willingness to do the dirty work gave NW United a dependable presence inside all weekend long.   Tofunmi Ibikunle – London Ramblers 2027   Ibikunle embraced the dirty-work role all weekend and consistently impacted the game with effort, energy, and activity around the basket. The 6-foot-3 post prospect made his presence felt on the glass, creating extra possessions and generating offense through relentless rebounding. Most of his scoring came inside, where he did a strong job crashing missed shots and finishing around the rim. Ibikunle's length and athleticism also flashed intriguing defensive upside, as he covered ground well and competed hard on the interior. His motor and willingness to do the little things stood out throughout the event.

The paint was packed with production all weekend at the Prep Hoops Great Lakes Finals, as several forwards and interior players imposed their will on both ends of the floor. Whether it was bruising finishes through contact, relentless rebounding, rim protection, or polished footwork on the block, these bigs consistently stood out against strong competition. Here is a look at some of the top post players from the weekend in Chicago.