Charger Classic Top Performers: Forwards
Maximus Fulton-Durant, Suncoast
At 6-foot-6 and with explosive, sneaky bounce, Fulton-Durant has a great deal of upside. He’s flashed a vastly improved face-up game while simultaneously scoring inside in reliable fashion. A one dribble, attack the rim threat, Fulton-Durant is hyper efficient around the rim. Scoring primarily on hustle points and stickbacks in Suncoast’s game against Potter’s House in the second day of the Charger Classic, Fulton-Durant plays an invaluable role for a guard-laden team with a dearth of true bigs.
Makye Bowles, Suncoast
Any freshman in the country would relish a stage of this magnitude. Against a high-profile program of (Tampa-based) Sickles High’s caliber, that’s exactly what Bowles did. Though he’s constantly forced to guard forwards and centers that have a notable size advantage on him, the 6-foot-4 Class of 2021 forward has a grittiness and beyond-his-years savvy to him. He’s rarely played age-appropriate over the years, an aspect which has prepared him for the rigors of quality varsity minutes.
Bowles possesses a stabilizing presence as a steady, high percentage scoring threat in the low post. He’s aggressive on the glass and continues to make strides as a long and physical defender. Again, if he can develop some ball skills and develop a mid-range and deep jumper to supplement his forays to the rim, he’ll have quite the intriguing future ahead of him.
Bryce Workman, Sickles
A physically imposing figure at 6-foot-8 and 238 pounds, Workman is an oft-attacking big capable of barreling through defenders and bulldozing helpless defenders to the basket. Yet it’s Workman’s effective and feathery 15-foot jumper that’s just as perplexing for defenders, whom he can easily bring away from the bucket. He’s got an innate and pure set shoot, one comparable to former New York Knicks forward Kurt Thomas.
Workman sets big hard picks, crashes the boards with sustained relentlessness, and is a heady player within the confines of the system.
Vernon Carey, University School
Very rarely do you see a player of Carey’s linebacker type of build pull off the above the rim theatrics and deep shots as Carey does with ease. Versatility is a weapon for the most highly-touted recruit in the Class of 2019.
Carey’s comfort in creating for himself off the dribble and natural wing skill-set induced matchup headaches all weekend. A behemoth on the glass, the left-handed Carey stepped up during critical junctures to fend off a wild upset bid from an underrated Dwyer team.
Very similar to one of the country’s most highly lauded Class of 2018 prospect, Zion Williamson, Carey holds his weight and monstrous size effectively. He’s a unique threat for his ability to score in one-on-one sequences and also score with a defender between him and the bucket, a component that many 6-foot-10 players have difficulty with at this level. He’s more than polished and proficient in all elements of his game. Many indications point to Duke snagging the prized recruit.
Simon Wilbar, Canterbury
Though he’s got plenty of room for growth and polish as post-up presence, there is plenty of intrigue surrounding Wilbar’s game. He’s a pesky defender with a steadily evolving 3-point shot. In addition, the 6-foot-9 forward is extremely comfortable putting the ball on the floor and kick-starting the transition game.
As he continues to develop, anticipate the number of Division-I offers and high Division-II offers to mount. There is certainly upside affiliated with his skill-set.