Five Preps on Rankings Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another rankings update is just around the corner and while there will certainly be some movement from within the rankings, the biggest changes may come in the form of additions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we'll take a look at five prospects at the prep level that have made a name for themselves this fall and should make their debut in the rankings in a few weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[player_tooltip player_id='2638185' first='Tait' last='Christensen']</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Christensen is a big, combo forward that can stretch the floor on the offensive end while providing a solid amount of rim protection on the defensive end. The <strong><em>Johns Hopkins</em></strong> commit is a versatile 6'8" big man that does a good job of controlling the defensive glass, can move his feet when switched on to the perimeter, does a great job of knocking down shots from the trailer spot, and can initiate the break with long outlet passes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[player_tooltip player_id='2639678' first='Javelle' last='Epps']</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Epps is a lanky and athletic wing that makes a big impact on the offensive end of the floor. His postional size and length allow him to be a strong perimeter defender, while his athleticism allows him to make an impact on the glass. Offensively, he's at his best as a scorer and creator in transition, but has improved in his ability to make shots from the perimeter, especially in catch and shoot situations from the corners.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[player_tooltip player_id='2641694' first='Daye' last='Kaba']</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kaba has had a coming out party this weekend at the <em>National Prep Showcase</em>. A jumbo guard at 6'6", he's a crafty finisher in the paint, does a good job of creating for himself and others in transition, and can really score in the mid-range. He has a lot of potential on the defensive end of the floor, profiling as a disruptive, multi-positional defender with his combination of positional size, length, and burst in passing lanes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[player_tooltip player_id='2641692' first='Cheickna' last='Sylla']</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sylla might end up as the biggest stock rise coming out of the <em>National Prep Showcase</em>. At 6'10", he provides <em>Bridgton</em> with a physical, low post presence that is capable of controlling the paint on both ends of the floor. He's an old school big man that does a great job of carving out space on the block, has good footwork, and can finish with a variety of moves by the rim. On top of that, he even showed signs of the ability to knock down standstill threes this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[player_tooltip player_id='2686234' first='Octavius' last='Wheeler']</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wheeler is a dynamic combo guard out of <em>Putnam Science Academy</em>. He has good positional size at 6'1", is dynamic with the basketball in his hands as both a scorer and creator, and has sneaky athleticism when he can get an open runway to the rim. He's a tough shot maker, is able to navigate tight spaces with his handle, and loves to compete on the offensive end. Defensively, he can guard either backcourt spot and is a proven disruptor on that end of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->