Earl’s Favorite Big Bodies at Midwest Showcase

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a big person myself, most people know that I have a soft spot in my heart for those young Big'Ins roaming around on the basketball court. Here are some of those big bodied players who were putting in work at the Midwest Showcase in Kansas City, KS.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2887230,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3371.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3371.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2887230" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1850452' first='Landon' last='VanPelt'] (Oak Park): The 6'9" 2026 post player has transferred from Lee's Summit to Oak Park. He is a big, physical player, but he can also play with some finesse in his game. He is so hard to move when he establishes his position to score inside. He has a nice touch around the basket and he can also step out and shoot it. He can also get out and run in the transition game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>********</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2887235,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3333.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3333.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2887235" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Samuel Pendergrass (Grain Valley): A 6'7" 2026 forward who checks in at a solid 230 pounds. He was moving people around in the low post when he wanted to set up shot inside. He could score with both hands with equal effectiveness. He sets solid screens and he's mobile on the roll downs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>********<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2886000,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3438.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3438.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2886000" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2607456' first='Titus' last='Moore'] ([player_tooltip player_id='2873530' first='Logan' last='']-Rogersville): A 6'6" 2028 is a 230-pound combo forward who is one of the most skilled, if not the most skilled big-body out there. In the game I watched, he started off by dropping a pair of 3-pointers on consecutive possessions. He was handling the ball and making good decisions with his passing and playmaking skills. He was too big and strong for smaller defenders and too quick for opposing bigs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2886007,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3444_986c6e.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3444_986c6e.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2886007" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2701091' first='Nate' last='Womack'] (Festus): The 6'7" 2027 power forward is a 250-pounder who has continued to improve each time I see him. The big lefty seals defenders very well and was hard to stop when he wheeled inside with his dominant left hand. He also carved out good rebounding position at both ends of the court. I was most impressed with the four blocked shots in the game I watched. He showed some mobility and bounce to come over and get those swats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2887584,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3443.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3443.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2887584" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2706483' first='Marcus' last='Moore'] (Logan Rogersville): The 6'7" 2026 forward is a robust 230-pounder who plays a strong game in the low post. He catches well and he finishes very effectively around the basket. He also showed some good moves from the perimeter while facing the basket. He drove it well and was able to either score or get to the free throw line. He will beginning his third year as a starter at Rogersville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2887586,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3720.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3720.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2887586" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Breckett Burns (Rock Bridge): A 6'6" 2029 post player who is listed at 270 pounds and he knows how to use it well in the low post. Even at a young age, he knows how to utilize his physical strength and good footwork in the paint. He scored on spin moves and drop steps around the basket that were impressive. He uses the backboard with a nice shooting touch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>********<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2887587,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3651.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3651.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2887587" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nahmy Kelley (Willard): A 6'4" 230-pound 2026 forward who works hard and plays with a lot of intensity. He is a physical player who works hard on defense in the low post. He was rebounded well and he hit a couple of nice 3-pointers on the pick and pop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2889104,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3415_1ee2ba.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3415_1ee2ba.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2889104" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hendrix Haymes (Ozark): A 6'7 230-pound 2027 forward who works well in the low post. He seals well and catches the ball to score. He can also put the ball on the floor from the high post.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2889133,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3461_a13bf2.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/IMG_3461_a13bf2.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2889133" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jacob Miller (Penney): A 6'8 235-pound forward who will be entering his fourth year as a starter. He is an offensive force inside as a scorer and rebounder. He has also expanded his game to the perimeter as he handles the ball much more. He also steps out and shoots 3-pointers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->