MADE Hoops Summer Live Versatile Forwards

Liked how mobile and fluid Higgins looked in the two games I saw of him at MADE Hoops. The emerging frontcourt prospect showed the versatility to impact the game both inside and out, stretching the floor with his perimeter skill set while still being effective around the basket. Higgins plays with an active motor and consistently finds ways to stay involved, whether it is rebounding, running the floor, or making hustle plays. His blend of mobility, size, and versatility gives him intriguing long-term upside, and it feels like he is only beginning to tap into his potential. With continued development, his best basketball is clearly ahead of him, and I am looking forward to seeing how his game progresses in the NEPSAC this season.     Hurd is an intriguing jack-of-all-trades prospect whose versatility allows him to impact the game in a variety of ways. He made a living on the interior, scoring in different fashions while using his size and instincts to consistently find high-percentage opportunities around the basket. Hurd runs the floor extremely well in transition, creating easy offense by beating defenders down the court, and he is an effective cutter who moves well without the ball to capitalize on scoring chances. Defensively, his length stands out as he contests shots, protects the rim, and rebounds at a high level. As he continues to fill out his frame and add strength, his overall game should take another leap. With his blend of versatility, motor, and untapped upside, Hurd's best basketball is clearly ahead of him, and he will be a player worth following closely during the upcoming high school season.     Acosta-Reyes is a cruise-control forward who never seems to get sped up, consistently playing at his own pace and letting the game come to him. He makes a living on the interior, using his strong frame to establish deep position and convert high-percentage scoring opportunities around the basket. His physicality and patience make him difficult to move off his spots, allowing him to consistently produce in the paint. Acosta-Reyes also showed the ability to step out and knock down mid-range jumpers, giving him another scoring dimension and making him a threat whenever he touches the ball. His combination of size, poise, touch, and offensive versatility makes him a difficult matchup, and he is a prospect who should continue to attract significant division one interest.     Stohon thrived attacking the basket and consistently found ways to put points on the board in timely fashion. Once he gets a full head of steam downhill, he is extremely difficult to contain, using his strength and aggression to pressure the rim and finish through contact. He also flashed the ability to stretch the floor, knocking down shots from behind the three-point line when given space. Stohon has put together a remarkably consistent spring and summer, continuing to produce against quality competition and showing steady growth in his overall game. With his downhill scoring ability, improving perimeter shot, and dependable production, he is a prospect who projects as an excellent fit for low-major division one programs.     Whitlock has really turned a corner since the spring, putting together consistently strong performances each of the last four times I've seen him. His confidence and overall game have taken a noticeable step forward. Offensively, he is a threat both on the interior and as a floor-spacing big, showing the ability to knock down open shots from the perimeter and make defenses pay if they leave him unchecked. He has also been outstanding on the glass, consistently positioning himself well to secure rebounds and converting second-chance opportunities into points. Whitlock's continued development has not gone unnoticed, as he is already generating significant interest from small college programs. If he continues on this trajectory, expect even more schools to get involved as his recruitment continues to gain momentum.     Golek was a constant threat within the flow of the offense, doing an excellent job moving without the basketball to create quality scoring opportunities. He showed soft touch around the rim, converting high-percentage looks and making the most of his chances in the paint. Golek also proved he can stretch the floor, knocking down multiple shots from beyond the arc and forcing defenses to stay attached to him—leave him open and he will make you pay. His college-ready frame allows him to carve out space inside, establish strong position, and play through contact on both ends of the floor. With his combination of size, shooting ability, and feel for the game, Golek is a versatile offensive weapon who consistently impacts winning.     Whipp is a physically imposing forward who consistently used his size and strength to overwhelm smaller defenders throughout the live period. He embraced contact on the offensive end, bullying his way into the paint and earning frequent trips to the foul line, where he capitalized on free scoring opportunities. On the glass, Whipp was relentless, putting himself in excellent position to secure rebounds and create extra possessions for his team. He always seemed to have a nose for the basketball, whether tracking down loose balls or controlling the paint with his physical presence. His combination of toughness, rebounding instincts, and interior scoring makes him a difficult matchup and a player capable of impacting winning in multiple ways.