Positional Breakdown: Missouri Class of 2018 Top Post Players

Here is a look at the top post player prospects in the Class of 2018 in the state of Missouri: <strong>Carte'are Gordon </strong>6'8" Vianney: The big fella was a dominant force on the grassroots circuit and international scene as well. Gordon averaged 10 points and eight rebounds on a powerful MoKan Elite Team that won the Nike EYBL Peach Jam. Gordon was also a force for the USA U17 team that won a gold medal at the FIBA World Championships. Not only could he overpower people with his size and strength, he could finesse you as well with his footwork, skills and soft touch around the basket. He has emerged as a Top 20, and even a Top 10 national recruit in some circles. <strong>Gaven</strong> <strong>Pinkley</strong> 6'7" Hillsboro: The long and lean post enjoyed a most productive summer for the Jets-Ramey United squad, his high school team and at several elite camps he attended. He is a skilled scorer and passer around the basket, plus he can put it on the floor and go both left and right with equal effectiveness. Pinkley's excellent play and work rate this summer has paid off in a number of Division I scholarship offers during the fall. <strong>Yahuza Rasas</strong> 6'6" St. Mary's: The athletic post player continued to improve as an offensive player throughout the summer with the St. Louis Eagles. Rasas is an active rebounder and shot blocker around the basket. I also like the development of his offensive game, especially with the emergence of a nice turnaround jumper in the lane over both his left and right shoulders. He was excellent at the Adidas Three Stripes while playing the St. Louis Prospects, where he dominated stretches of games. <strong>Cameron Hester</strong> 6'7" Jackson: A big, strong strapping low post player who plays a very aggressive style around the basket. He is very good at scoring around the hoop with both hands. He is not afraid to go up and dunk in traffic with authority. He could also get out on the break and score on some impressive rim-runs with good hustle. He is the latest in a long line of standout post players who have a big impact at Jackson. <strong>Mason Fair</strong> 6'5" Raytown: Mason is a big-bodied post player who goes about 250 pounds. He has physical strength and a pair of long arms, which enables him to be an effective rebounder and shot blocker. Even for a player his size, he rebounds well out of his area. He is a very good offensive player around the basket. Fair has a good shooting touch and can score on a variety of moves and with both hands. <strong>Jamar Williams</strong> 6'5" Northwest Academy: Williams is a meat-and-potatoes performer who does one thing as well as any player in the class. That is to rebound, especially at the offensive end. He does a great job of getting position and he has a real nose for the ball, thus he gobbles up offensive rebounds and converts put-backs at a high rate. He just goes about his business without much fanfare, but his scoring and rebounding around the basket is so very effective. <strong>Cartez</strong> <strong>Crook-Jones</strong> 6'4" Grandview: A finely chiseled athletic post player who plays much bigger than his actual size. Cartez is physcial and very explosive around the basket. I was very impressed with his offensive abilities at the Jayhawk Summer Finale where he displayed some excellent footwork and a nice shooting touch in the post and out to 12 feet. He had one wow play during the spring when he grabbed an offensive rebound and went straight up and dunked it without a step. Just explosive. <strong>Nathan Bax</strong> 6'6" Helias: A rugged post player who goes about 230 pounds, Bax is also a standout on the Crusaders' football team. He is a physical player who plays with a high motor. He was a very productive player for the Missouri Combat with his ability to score in the low post or from the high post where he can stick the 15 foot jumper. Helped Helias to the Class 4 Final Four as a sophomore. <strong>Caleb Strauss</strong> 6'7" Warrenton: Strauss is a solid low post player with a versatile set of skills. The long lefty is an excellent rebounder who grabbed nearly 14 caroms a game as a sophomore. He can score around the basket, but he is quite comfortable stepping out and knocking down perimeter jumpers. He will also make a 3-pointer off the pick and pop. <strong>Tommy Robinson III</strong> 6'8" Saxony Lutheran: The sturdy 300-pounder is one of the biggest post players in the state, but he moves his big body around the post well and he got a lot done. He did an excellent job of getting position in the post and when he sealed an opponent, he was sealed. Robinson usually finished with a nice drop step. And if he happened to miss, he would usually get the put-back because he had already cleared all the space out. I look forward to his continued development as he improves his conditioning.