Top 5 Deep Dive: Small Forwards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 class is filled with players with college-level skill sets. Today we'll breakdown out to five small forwards. The list is filled with major Division I talent that's placed a foothold in high school basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1125933"],"_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_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a2a2d61a67e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'8 Texas native is one of the smartest players in the nation. His passing and vision give him the ability to initiate an offense and routinely make the right decisions. Over the last year and a half, he's become one of the best spot-up shooters in the class, turning in a three-point shooting percentage north of 40% at the Kingdom of the Sun. His size makes him a versatile defender who can comfortably defend on the perimeter and in the post against power forwards. The 5-star prospect's best skills are his intangibles. McNeeley combines a high IQ with physical tools to excel at Indiana and beyond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1127315"],"_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_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a2a2d61a6d9"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1127315' first='Khani' last='Rooths'], a 6'7 Swiss Army knife out of IMG is great at slashing to the lane. He can attack his man with a quick first step and excels at going baseline, where his length helps him finish at tough angels. The Michigan commit can play both forward positions without giving anything up on the defensive end. He's an explosive rebounder on both ends, with the ability to turn offensive rebounds into second-chance points and grab defensive rebounds and push them up the court. In the summer, he flashed an improved printer skillset equipped with a handle that helps him create scouting opportunities in space and connecting on pull-up jumpers in the midrange.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1055745"],"_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_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a2a2d61a720"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1055745' first='Marcus' last='Allen'] is on a mission, and it's coming through in his play. The 6'7 forward has a college-ready body, immense athleticism, and ridiculous length. His physicality allows him to dominate the high school team and projects as a tool he can use on the defensive end at the next level. He's a strong rebounder, someone who can guard up and down the lineup and finish around the rim through contact. Flashes of pull-up shooting in the mid-range, high IQ passes, and the ability to finish above the rim in transition and in the half-court are all promising tools for his long-term development. He projects as a lockdown defender who will rebound and has offensive upside as a shooter and shot-creator on limited dribbles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1055776"],"_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_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a2a2d61a763"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1055776' first='Tyler' last='Johnson'] is one of the toughest guys we have in the state. His combination of strength and athleticism allows him to play much bigger than his 6'5 listing. Johnson's shooting has evolved his game from a bruiser interior force to a legitimate wing with moves on the perimeter. In the first game of the season, he scored from all three levels, showing off an ability to create for himself in space and slash to the bucket. He's great at finishing against contact and acts as an offensive hub on the right elbow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->