Top Small Forwards for the 2024 Class
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The small forward position has seen an increase in versatility over the years and how effective the position can be. We see many two-way small forwards and some who are one-dimensional making this position as important as it has ever…
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Continue ReadingThe small forward position has seen an increase in versatility over the years and how effective the position can be. We see many two-way small forwards and some who are one-dimensional making this position as important as it has ever been. Here are my top small forwards for the 2024 class.
Richmond III is a two-way player filled with a lot of athleticism that he uses to his advantage. At 6’6″ he can play and guard multiple positions throughout a game. The lefty likes to attack the rim whenever he can using his athleticism to sky over everyone else for the throwdown. Richmond III has a smooth jumper and gets good height on his shot making it difficult for defenders to get on a hand up. On defense, he will try and block every shot that he possibly can sending multiple shots off the backboard.
Kaba will play more like a center/power forward at times but can show he can be a small forward with his handles and ability to bring the ball up the floor. He has an excellent shot from deep and seems to improve and get better at it every year. His range will extend the more he makes from that distance throughout a game. Kaba will look to come off of pick-n-pops to get his shots. He is also a rebounding machine coming up with every board it seems and then kicking it out to start the fastbreak.
Panzini can do just about anything you tell him to do on the court with his best skill involving attacking the rim at will. He can get very creative when looking to get into the paint as he will look to fake cut off the ball most times juking the defender out and then receiving a pass in the paint for the flush. Panzini is very quick with and without the ball and will leave defenders in the dust. He will look to step out to the three-point line to knock some shots from that distance with his quick release. On defense, he will pressure you whenever he can and will poke the ball loose from behind to start a fastbreak.
Godwin is the utility man for his team playing with lots of physicality and doing all of the non flashy things that may not show up in the box score. He can guard every position and is not afraid to go against taller players as he looks to strip the ball from them whenever he can. When he gets inside the paint he will use his effective pump fakes before going straight up and even if he misses he will more likely than not get the ball back for a second or third attempt. Godwin will sacrifice his body on the floor to dive after every loose ball he can and plays elite perimeter defense.
Kelly is a two-way rim-running machine that looks to attack the rim every possession. At 6’7″ he can handle the ball like a guard and play in the paint like a center. He can step out to the three-point line to knock down a couple of shots from there or hit you with the pump fake to create more space for him. Kelly can finish strong at the rim with both hands and will look to put a body on any defender in front of him. On defense, he will look to sneak up on you and then swat your shot into the stands. He uses his long arms to wrap around offensive players to get multiple steals throughout a game.