Prep Hoops: The Finale – My Top Wings/Forwards of the Tournament

This past weekend’s Prep Hoops event, The Finale, was loaded with talent. Here are some that I came away impressed with from the weekend. These are versatile players who could play on the wing, play a point forward position, or provide at both. (Note: Players who made my all-tournament team are not including in this article) [caption id="attachment_1033422" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Anthony-Allen-1.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1033422" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Anthony-Allen-1-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> Photo: Peter Spexarth[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="958390" first="Anthony" last="Allen"], 2022 - 6’5 Combo Forward - Tulsa Hawks & Broken Arrow High School (OK) The term combo forward is not used for players often, if at all, but when I watched Allen I couldn’t help but wonder what position he projects to. The one thing I did know for certain is that he ’s a good basketball player. Allen has an explosive first step towards the rim when he’s playing on the perimeter, but can also take his defender into the post and has a nice set of moves in order to get himself a scoring opportunity. Anthony has length, and can get into passing lanes and vision of his opponent, making it really tough for offenses to move fluidly. To go along with the length, he has a nice vertical which he uses around the basket to block shots at an efficient rate. He has a good handle on the ball that he uses fluidly in the offense to create for his teammates and for himself. Allen could be a mismatch nightmare going forward, and could jump up the prep hoops state rankings if he continues his performances through the high school season this winter. [caption id="attachment_1033424" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Isaac-Patterson-1.jpg?1597245095506"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1033424" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Isaac-Patterson-1-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: Peter Spexarth[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="889487" first="Isaac" last="Patterson"], 2021 - 6’6 Wing - MOKAN & Blue Valley North High School (KS) On a loaded MOKAN team this weekend, Patterson found a really effective role within the team. Isaac is a good shooter on the catch, and likes to get to his right hand when he’s attacking the basket. He’s pretty crafty around the rim, and shows some nice reverse layups and finger rolls. Isaac can post mismatches up, and uses a nice spin move to go along with his willingness to dish to teammates if the double comes. This weekend he was a go to offensive player for his team, and liked to go into attack mode when he had the ball in his hands and finishes strong at the basket. Patterson’s interest is growing going into MOKAN’s last tournament of the summer. Averaging double figures in this shortened summer season, he has been hearing from DII and DI schools. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Jesse-Hall.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1021033" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Jesse-Hall-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="963222" first="Jesse" last="Hall"], 2021 - 6’7 Point Forward - Indiana Red Storm & Crawfordsville High School (IN) [player_tooltip player_id="963222" first="Jesse" last="Hall"] was impressive in the match against Kansas Pray-N-Play right out of the gate. He and [player_tooltip player_id="889462" first="Alex" last="Littlejohn"] went back and forth scoring buckets for their respective teams to start the game, scoring the first 7+ points for the Red Storm. Hall is a tall, lanky player who handles the ball well, and can get to the basket and create for his team. His length allows him to finish at the rim and shoot over the defender out to 22 feet. He has a nice shooting motion and converted jumpshots efficiently in the game I was able to watch. It’s a repeatable shot that he can shoot even with a defensive hand. Hall could be an intriguing prospect to watch for coaches going forward. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/CHI-DEMS-17U-Reggie-Ward-Jr.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1023304" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/CHI-DEMS-17U-Reggie-Ward-Jr-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="920977" first="Reggie" last="Ward"] Jr.,, 2021 - 6’6 Point Forward/Wing - Chicago Demons & Curie High School (ILL) Ward is a relentless attacker on the offensive end, and can throw in some nice highlight dunks. When he gets downhill on the baseline or down the middle of the lane you can bet that Ward is going to try to throw down. To go along with his downhill dribbling style, Ward likes to get the ball on the perimeter and square up his defender and use an effective step back jumper anywhere from 15-22 feet, which, in my opinion, is his best attribute. With his nice ball handling and shooting ability Ward could project to the wing at the next level as I have no doubt his athleticism could take his game to the next level. Defenders need to keep tabs on Ward when he’s on the court because he could put them on a poster. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/4688118A-8F09-4990-BF64-EAAA774A1776.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1015761" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/4688118A-8F09-4990-BF64-EAAA774A1776-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Massai Graham, 2022 - 6’7 Wing/Forward - NEBC & Tapestry Charter School (NY) Having never seen Graham before, he immediately jumps out at you when you’re watching. The one thing that stands out the most is his oozing athleticism. He pretty much floats in the air, and loves to crank the ball back with his long arms and throw it down with authority. When he catches it on the perimeter, Graham likes to face his defender up and use jab steps to read the defender. This allows him to use his shot with nice backspin, which is what he did the first play of the game I got to watch. He can take the defender off the dribble when he does that as well, and likes to get to his strong right hand to do so. Massai’s athleticism helps him all over the court whether that be blocking shots, catching dump off passes in the short corner, or catching lobs from his teammates. He really tries to utilizes his eyes when passing the ball to his teammates to move the defense, and does so effectively. Having received an Iona offer Monday after The Finale, it’s very clear DI coaches are watching. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Nick-Roper.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1021620" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Nick-Roper-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="824144" first="Nick" last="Roper"], 2021 - 6’7 Point Forward - Gateway Basketball Club & MICDS High School (MO) [player_tooltip player_id="824144" first="Nick" last="Roper"] stuck out to me this past weekend with his ability to stretch the floor on offense with a nice left handed, high released shooting stroke off the catch. Roper is a stat sheet stuffer, who rebounds well, and is able to find his teammates. When he can get out into transition he is an effective big as he runs the lanes well and will either draw attention from the defense for his teammates to score or can even lead the break and find an open teammate. He’s an effective cutter who uses back cuts to get open and finish at the rim. He crashes the offensive boards in order to create more offensive possessions for his team. Roper could help a team at the next level with his length and shooting ability. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Landon-Zurliene.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1033316" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Landon-Zurliene-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="765214" first="Landon" last="Zurliene"], 2021 - 6’4 Wing - Illinois Bears-Walker & Fairfield Community High School (ILL) Zurliene has a sweet 3 point shot, and I wish he had shot it more this past weekend. He was unselfish on a good all-around Bears team, and moved the ball well through the offense. To go along with his nice 3 point shot, he has a nice pull-up jumper off the dribble as well and can shoot it efficiently from 15 feet. Zurliene has a nice floater that he can use effectively on the baseline or down the middle of the lane. Landon is also a good defender with length on the ball, and his ability to trail and block shots. Having offers from DII schools already, colleges would be adding some good shooting to their offense in Zurliene. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/preston-reynolds.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1023140" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/preston-reynolds-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="889472" first="Preston" last="Reynolds"], 2021 - 6’4 Wing - Team KC-Pip & Shawnee Mission East High School (KS) Reynolds was very good on Sunday morning for Team KC. He has length on the wing where he can create his own shot off the dribble, and also find his spots while running the offense. He’s a player who I think could find a niche on any team that he ends up on at the next level. He runs the floor well, and is most dangerous in transition. His ability to finish above the rim puts pressure on the defense to know where Reynolds is at when he’s running the lanes. He’s an opportunistic defender who likes to jump passing lanes and get out on the fast break. If he can develop a more efficient jumper, he could be an effective player at the next level. Seth Larson, 2021 - 6’5 Wing/Point Forward - Sting & Hickman High School (MO) A big reason that the Sting team was effective on offense this weekend was Larson’s offensive skillset. He has a smooth jumper from three levels on the court, and creates well for his team. I like the fit that Larson could be as a smaller point forward type at the next level as he is able to bring the ball up and run the offense, but also be a playmaker. He has nice dribbling ability with ball pressure, and finds his open teammates when he’s looking to attack. His mid range shot is something that stands out about Larson, as he hits tough shots. When playing Gateway, who has four 6’7+ players on their team, Larson went right at them and was hitting step back jumpshots, turnaround jumpshots, and pull-up 3 pointer attempts. Pair that with his ability to go into the post and use some good post moves, he is a problem match-up for opponents. Seth is a solid prospect, who in the right system could be a really effective player at the next level. Larry Parker III, 2023 - 6’4 Wing - Mentality by Michael Watson & Staley High School (MO) The lone 2023 player on this list is Larry Parker III, who I’ve seen a couple weekends this summer and have come away impressed by his way to find ways to score the ball around the hoop. Parker likes to use cuts to get the ball from his teammates, whether that be back cuts, face cuts, or just flashing into an open area. When he gets the ball he likes to go into attack mode trying to find any open lane he can to get the ball in the bucket. He’s a good rebounder, and uses his athleticism and length to jump into passing lanes on the defensive end. With three years left in his high school career Parker will be one to watch going forward in his development. If he can add a couple inches, and a consistent jump shot, he could grow to be one of the better prospects in this class in the state of Missouri.