Eleve11 Hoops' The Preview: Forward Standouts

The Preview hosted by Eleve11 Hoops featured several of the Northeast's most talented frontcourt prospects, including established Division I recruits, productive upperclassmen and players positioned for major jumps this season. Some controlled games with their physicality around the basket, while others showed how valuable modern floor-spacing big men can be. Here are the forwards who stood out throughout the event.      There are few big men in the class who are more physically prepared for the college level than Awaka. A powerful finisher who embraces his role as an enforcer, his strength and motor make him difficult to handle on both ends of the floor. Awaka never backed down from [player_tooltip player_id='3563377' first='Ike' last='Davids'], helping draw four fouls on the LuHi big man before earning several more against his replacements. He carves out space, controls the glass and collected eight rebounds in only 23 minutes. Awaka committed to Florida earlier this week and appears capable of continuing the program's tradition of high-level big men.     Davids has quietly established himself as one of the Northeast's premier defensive big men since arriving from England around this time last year. The senior enters his final season as one of the top returnees for a Long Island Lutheran roster featuring an almost entirely new supporting cast. The early chemistry already appears to be developing, as Davids helped the Crusaders push Blair Academy to the final possession of a two-point loss. His interior presence should provide LuHi with an important foundation as the rest of the group comes together.     Although Uniondale ultimately fell to Xaverian in a defensive battle, Sheard carried much of the offensive load by scoring 16 of his team's 28 points. The athletic 6-foot-7 forward high-points the ball as a rebounder and possesses good touch extending into the mid-range. Those qualities allow him to generate production without needing the offense to consistently run plays for him. Sheard should be one of Long Island's top players this season and has shown the tools of a clear Division I prospect.     Wilson's high motor and willingness to battle inside were on full display against a talented St. James frontcourt featuring multiple Division I prospects. Although Wilson and Holy Cross came up short, his energy stood out as he worked his way to 13 points and seven rebounds. The modern forward enters the season on the shortlist of CHSAA MVP candidates, while Holy Cross deserves to be considered a legitimate title contender. It will be interesting to see what one of the Empire State's premier juniors does throughout the high school season.     After serving as more of a complementary piece during his first season at CATS, Maker Bol appears ready to take a significant step forward under new head coach Miguel Bocachica. The modern four has shot the ball confidently throughout the fall and continued that trend by going 5-for-9 from beyond the arc across two games. A mobile 6-foot-8 forward, he can face the basket, space the floor, rebound and provide secondary rim protection. His senior year will be an important one, and it would not be surprising to see several new college programs become involved.     The powerful big man was highly effective around the basket, shooting 70 percent from the field while averaging 10.5 points and 6.5 rebounds across two impressive victories for Our Saviour Lutheran. As one of the roster's few upperclassmen and most proven returnees, Manya looks ready to help lead the program into Overtime Elite competition this winter. Expect Division I programs to continue familiarizing themselves with one of the state's most consistent interior producers.

The Preview hosted by Eleve11 Hoops featured several of the Northeast's most talented frontcourt prospects, including established Division I recruits, productive upperclassmen and players positioned for major jumps this season. Some controlled games with their physicality around the basket, while others showed how valuable modern floor-spacing big men can be. Here are the forwards who stood out throughout the event.