Live Period: Who Caught My Eye (Underclassmen Forwards)
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Through the Prep Hoops Missouri Magical Stream Machine, I had the opportunity to watch players from around the state compete in tournaments from around the country during the July Live Period. Here is a group of underclassmen at the forward…
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Continue ReadingThrough the Prep Hoops Missouri Magical Stream Machine, I had the opportunity to watch players from around the state compete in tournaments from around the country during the July Live Period. Here is a group of underclassmen at the forward position that caught my eye.
Steven Bonner Steven Bonner 6'4" | SF Soldan | 2023 State MO 6’54″ Team Ramey CCM 16U: The 2023 forward from Soldan had a breakout weekend in Louisville in leading his team to the championship game of the Battle Under 1 Roof in Louisville. He was scoring 20 points a game on the regular and reached the 30-point mark a couple of times. He used his skill level and quickness to outmaneuver bigger players inside and he could attack off the dribble and hit the mid-range jumper.
Brayden Shorter Brayden Shorter 6'5" | SF Springfield Kickapoo | 2023 State MO 6’5″ ShoMe Assault: The 2023 forward from Kickapoo was one of the top shooting young frontcourt players that I watched during the weekend. He had a big highlight play by making a 60-footer at the buzzer to win a game in Chicago. He can really stretch the floor with that pure shooting stroke of his from long distance. He also has a stout body to go inside to get a bucket and grab a rebound with toughness.
Izaiah Purvey 6’3″ Gateway-Knights 15U: A physical 2024 forward from Webster Groves who had an excellent weekend at The Platform in Birmingham. The skilled lefty used his big body to outmuscle defenders in the post and he scored inside with a soft touch. He also beat defenders off the dribble and stepped out and knocked down 3-pointers. His game is deliberate and patient, yet so very effective.
Whit Hafer 6’6″ Victory Ministry 15U: The 2024 forward from Joplin looked very impressive at the Midwest Live in Iowa. He continues to improve as he comes back from that knee injury that caused him to miss the high school season. He has a big body with explosive athleticism, which enables him to dominate stretches of games. He tries to dunk everything around the basket like a Tyler Hansbrough mini-me. His skill set is pretty solid as well. The upside for this young man is big.
Bryant Moore 6’5″ Team Ramey CCM 15U: A 2024 power forward from Confluence Prep who was a force down in Louisville in leading his team to the championship game. He’s a physical inside player who uses brute force to bully everyone around the basket. His drop step around the basket is tough and he muscled inside for countless offensive rebounds.
Cole Heller 6’5″ Mid-Mo Elite 16U: A young power forward from Jefferson City who was very production last weekend in Chicago. He’s strong and he’s very mobile around the basket as he battles for position with tenacity. He’s ideal in the high low set as he is a good passer from the high post and he can seal, catch and finish every effectively in the low blocks.
Nathan Ryan Nathan Ryan 6'3" | SF Troy Buchanan | 2022 MO 6’3″ Missouri Thunder 16U: The 2023 Troy standout is a smaller frontcourt player, but his game from 15 feet in is excellent. He uses his body and footwork well to score around the basket and his touch from the mid range is money. He had a big weekend as he scored nearly 20 points a game.