CREI: Frontcourt Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New readers: Use code Proia30</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I traveled to Kansas City this weekend to check out the Crossroads Elite Invitational event at the Home Field facility. The game had an interesting structure, with two full days of games followed by a final alignment that saw only the top 80 prospects to advance to the championship day as teams were re-assigned to compete in win-and-advance tournament style competition. With the blend of drill work in the fundamentals on day 1 and the competitive atmosphere spurred on by the top-80 concept, it was a really intriguing field to evaluate from within. Let's dive into some of the best frontcourt players that I saw this week!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2574699"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7ba0d874e4d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Parker was an intriguing watch throughout the week as an effective forward prospect that uses unorthodox timing on his step-through's and spin moves in the post to create space to finish around the rim. I came away impressed with his motor—especially on the offensive glass— to create extra opportunities for his team. Parker did a great job of keeping the ball high, did his work early on the glass to come up with rebounds through double teams, slashed to the rim hard to serve as an effective cutter behind the defense, and showed great patience to stay down on pump fakes without missing opportunities to block shots around the basket. Loved that he played within himself as a late bloomer front court prospect with a ton of ranging interest throughout the three levels of Division 1.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2918969"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7ba0d874ec1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-One of the more dynamic athletes of the week, Ater impressed with his ability to put the ball on the deck in straight line drives to accentuate long strides and athletic above-the-rim finishing ability. Ater knocked down short jumpers in the paint off of offensive boards, threw down several emphatic putback dunks, and showed a good patience to feel the defense on his back before making a post move to score around the rim. I liked the fact that he didn't try to get too cute with his finishes around the basket— using simple spin moves and power dribbles to carve out space around the basket to score. Really intriguing blend of skills as an athletic 2-way prospect with some nice upside.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2839170"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7ba0d874f25"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Noll enjoyed an incredibly-productive second day as a stretch forward prospect that can really, really space the floor with his shooting. Noll knocked down several perimeter jumpers off the catch and really showed an understanding for when to use pump fakes or side steps to create jumpers in rhythm that usually found the bottom of the net. Want to see him become a more explosive athlete to take advantage of his positional size and add to his scoring bag around the rim to accentuate his offensive rebounding ability. But with the positional size, standstill play-making ability from the top of the key or as an outlet passer, shooting, and pretty advanced feel— he's a really nice sleeper prospect to track in the 2029 class with 3 years to round out his game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2273134"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7ba0d874fac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Bogard showed an improved ability to initiate the fast break as a defensive rebounder that took pride in pushing the pace and in serving as a dependable lob/roll threat for his team throughout another championship-winning weekend at CREI. Bogard affected shots around the basket, knocked down several elbow and 18' jumpers off of offensive rebounds, and was pretty relentless in attacking the rim throughout the week. Will be interesting to see how he's used in new threads at Masters as a dynamic forward prospect that seems poised for a breakout junior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2404481"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7ba0d875047"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-One of the more intriguing long term prospects of the week, Okam had some really nice flashes as a forward prospect capable of putting the ball on the floor that uses long strides to get from 3 point line to rim with relative ease. Okam knocked down a few perimeter jumpers off the catch to show his long-term upside as a pick n pop big, showed good hands to come up with some tough catches in traffic, and served as an effective finisher around the rim with either hand. Okam flashed some nice skill with short floaters off of spin moves on the baseline, utilized his pivot well around the basket, and even took a defensive rebound C2C before throwing a beautiful lob to a teammate at the rim from the free throw line. Although I wouldn't call him a physical specimen as a leaper or with a strong upper body, he moves very well for his size as a young forward prospect that continues to grow.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->