West Mania: Top 17u Big Men

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — The MADE Hoops and EHA Circuit collaboration put together another strong event in the Southern California area this weekend. The event featured a collection of show company teams from the EYBL, 3SSB and Puma circuits in addition to many of the top independent teams out west. Below we break down the top big men we saw among the 17u programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Damian Jung | 2026 | Houston Hoops (TX)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jung fits the mold of a modern big man with his combination of explosive athleticism and mobility in transition and on the defensive end of the floor. The 6-foot-10 center runs the floor with purpose, can catch, gather and finish on the move and is a legitimate lob threat at the rim. Where Jung impacts the game most is on the defensive end with his rim protecting and rebounding.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2622334' first='David' last='Abisogun'] | 2026 | Dream Vision</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Abisogun's recruitment should be trending upward after the junior season he had at Fairmont Prep and the stage he will be on this spring and summer. The 6-foot-9 lefty is a skilled offensive player who can score with his back to the basket, step out and hit jumpers off the catch and has the ball skills to put it on the floor and get to the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1593018' first='Ethan' last='Sheats'] | 2026 | JL3 (TX)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sheets is a mobile transition rim-runner and quick-twitch vertical athlete who is best when finishing paint touches through contact and above the rim. The 6-foot-9 junior gets off the floor quickly and looks to finish everything with power around the basket and his high motor and extra effort plays are realized in the form of rebounding in and out of his area on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Jonas Onware | 2026 | BTI</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Onware is a fast-improving high academic prospect out west who should see his recruiting stock pick up once he takes his talents out on the circuit for the first time. The 6-foot-9 center out of Long Beach Poly is one of the premier shot blockers and rim protectors in California's 2026 class as his combination of size, length, athleticism, defensive instincts and sure hands make him a player with a ton of upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2425762' first='Josh' last='Irving'] | 2026 | Team CPSA</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are few big men out west who have the combination of size, length and fluid athleticism that Irving has. The wiry 6-foot-11 center is a fluid rim-runner in transition and has improved drastically as a ball screener, roller and lob threat in half-court offense. Irving's long-term potential is immense so long as he chooses the right level and program for continued development.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Trevon Carter-Givens | 2025 | Team Why Not</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carter-Givens is still a bit of a national sleeper prospect at the five spot, but if he continues to play the way he did with Team Why Not on Sunday, his recruitment at the Division 1 level should take off. The 6-foot-10 center is a highly-mobile prospect whose length, timing and ability to contain guards on the perimeter in ball screen action make him an intriguing defensive player at the next level. Carter-Givens is still raw on the offensive end but is a capable lob threat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->