George McClellan Invitational Top 2025 Forwards

<p>The annual George McClellan Invitational did not disappoint this year, with high level EYBL teams matching up and other prospects who had a real ability to turn some college coaches attention. There were multiple division one coaches in the gym looking at the enormous array of talent. Check out my analysis on some of the top Texas prospects from the event!</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1223824" first="Alejandro" last="Aviles"] </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2025 6’8 Home Schooled (LOFDL EYBL E15)</span></p> <p>Alejandro is a high level forward who recently starred for Puerto Rico in the FIBA U16 Championships, averaging 16.7 points and 10.8 rebounds during FIBA competition. His recent performance at the George McClellan Invitational was very impressive, calmly scoring with his back to the basket and operating out of the high post. He has a soft touch on his shot, and makes the right choices with his back to the basket, shifting his opponents with a shoulder fake and then turning the other way. He calmly scored from the block to the mid post. He showed an ability to put the ball on the floor for a few power dribbles to get himself into space and go up quickly and strong. He moves without the ball well within the half court, calmly moving into space and forcing his opponents to focus on his constant motion and backdoor cuts.</p> <p>Defensively, he is always in the right spot to affect shots, blocking shots and forcing his opponents to change their shots. He is good at staying vertical and not getting fouls called on him for swatting at the ball but using his length to affect his opponent’s release points. He has good foot speed allowing him to charge out to the perimeter and contest shots. I loved his energy on the glass as well, constantly battling and high pointing the ball to allow only himself a chance at the basketball. Aviles has all of the athletic tools to become a dynamic forward prospect at the next level, be sure to keep your eyes on this one coaches!</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1225689" first="Nigel" last="Walls"]</strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">2025 6’10 St Francis Episcopal High School (JL3 Elite Battle)</span></p> <p>Nigel is an athletic and lanky forward prospect with all of the tools to dominate at the next level for his ability to use his length to finish above defenders and have a strong defensive presence. He is good at finishing in the paint, going up strong to finish through contact. He has a soft touch on his bunny hook, allowing him to back defenders down deep into the paint and then simply shoot over the top of them. His touch on his shot allows him to get into post fades from his most comfortable spots on the court as well. He is also good at quickly attacking out of the triple threat, quickly getting downhill and taking advantage of the bigger and slower defenders that are guarding him. I was very impressed with how well he used his stride to get in front of his opponent, and then using his strength to hold them off and on his back.</p> <p>Defensively, he is great at sliding over at the right time and rejecting shots. He blocked an array of shots, down low, on the break and even getting his hand up to shots on the perimeter. He had some emphatic blocks down low in the paint, forcing his opponent to really think about how they can force him to get out of the paint. He really anchors his team’s defense with his ability to protect the rim but also collect rebounds and end possessions. He can defend the perimeter with his ability to move his feet and use his length to force his opponents to get bounced off their driving lanes. Walls is an elite forward prospect, be sure to get out and see this kid if you have the chance!</p> <p><strong>Jeremiah Cooper </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2025 6’7 Westfield High School (JL3 Elite Battle)</span></p> <p>Jeremiah is an athletic forward who can play the small ball forward role, or alongside another true center as he can defend the perimeter and handle basketball. He is an athletic defender who can truly defend positions one through five with his ability to protect the rim, but also move his feet and run the floor. He affects the game in a multitude of ways with his dynamic defensive awareness. He collects rebounds and has his head up to run the fast break himself, attacking the rim with his dynamic ability to run the floor and go to coast to coast. I was very impressed with his athleticism and ability to maneuver up and down the court. I was very impressed with his control with the ball when necessary, calmly taking his defenders off the bounce and forcing a second defender to come over to contest him. When he does get that second defender to come over, he calmly makes the right dump off pass or kick-out to his shooters on the back side.</p> <p><strong>Aidan Williams </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2025 6’5 Barbers Hills High School (Drive Nation 2025 Wickliff)</span></p> <p>Aidan is an athletic wing/ forward prospect with his ability to dominate the paint, but also attack downhill with a live dribble. He is a real weapon on the fast break with his ability to handle the ball but also create for his teammates with flashy passes to his shooters in the corner. He is great at quickly attacking his defenders from beyond the arc, taking them off the bounce and getting to the rim with consistency. Williams has a soft touch on his runner in the paint, and is good at using his length to finish above his opponent. The skilled play-maker loves to get downhill and use his athleticism to finish strong, even through contact. I would like to see him continue to get more aggressive with a live dribble and continue developing his shot making from the second and third level of the defense.</p>