Weekend Recap: 2021 Stock-Risers (Frontcourt)
In the spring time following their freshman season, it’s time for us to really lock in on a class. We’ll spend a lot of time in the first two months of the grassroots season at 15U games, in order to build a legitimate database of players going into their sophomore campaigns.
This weekend, we were fortunate to catch a several of the top players from the 2021 class. Plenty of young prospects with obvious D-I or D-II projections stood out, along with various sleepers.
In fact, there were so many standouts that we’re breaking this up into two parts (click here for the backcourt section).
Tyrese Hughey, 6’6” F/C, Ohio Hoopsters / Licking Heights
Hughey was one of the most impressive 2021 athletes we got a chance to check out yesterday. The big man has a good frame and somewhat mature upper body already. Although Hughey is a raw prospect at the moment, he already knows how to play hard and use his physicality inside. He runs the floor, rebounds, goes after loose balls, and finishes in the paint. His shooting touch from the free throw line is promising.
Logan Duncomb, 6’8”-6’9” C, Mid Ohio Pumas Elite / Moeller
The big man from Moeller operates the floor pretty fluidily for a young kid with his type of size. Although he hasn’t quite ramped up his motor all the way to be a major impact player on the boards, Duncomb showed a lot of promise on Sunday. With a Withrow offer under his belt already, Duncomb is strong enough to finish through contact and he dives after loose balls. Finding ways to not get pushed off of his spots will be the next step.
Garner Wallace, 6’4” W, Mid Ohio Pumas Elite / Pickerington Central
It’s hard to imagine too many 2021 wings with a more promising game than Garner Wallace. The speed demon was asked to defend the other team’s best player regardless of position all day. His quickness and length are disruptive. He’s also a weapon in the open-floor with his coast-to-coast speed and finishing ability. Super quick first step when he swings the ball through. Wallace has tunnel vision with the ball sometimes, but he’s getting high-percentage looks at will, so it’s hard to complain.
Jack Sawyer, 6’4”-6’5” F, Mid Ohio Pumas Elite / Pickerington North
Sawyer blends power with skill in a rather extraordinary way. Sawyer continually caught around 15 feet from the basket and ensured the Pumas a good look at the basket. He has a number of moves, including straight-line drives and spin-moves, that he uses to get to the basket. Sawyer also sees cutters and delivers passes. Phenomenal foot-work. Likely the most productive freshman in Ohio.
Amarion Dickerson, 6’4” W, Rebels 16U / Rhodes
A lot of potential in this raw Northeast Ohio wing. While he didn’t have the ball in his hands very much this weekend, his leaping ability and speed were dazzling. He crashes the boards like a big man and was trying to block everything on help-side. Skill development is needed, but Dickerson has the looks of prototypical athlete on the wing.
Walt Mattingly, 6’6” W/F, Cincinnati Royals Blue / Barnesville (IN)
Mattingly is a fluid 6’6” wing with some ball skills. He struggled to defend on the perimeter but definitely plays out there on offense. He cans shoot it from the outside and could develop into a reliable secondary ball-handler. Pretty good rebounder. Will need to work on his feel.