CIF-SS Promising 2021 Forwards and Centers to Watch
The CIF Southern Section is loaded with some of the best guards in the state, but it is also home to a multitude of promising forwards and centers. Whether on offense or defense, a number of forwards and centers last…
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Continue ReadingThe CIF Southern Section is loaded with some of the best guards in the state, but it is also home to a multitude of promising forwards and centers. Whether on offense or defense, a number of forwards and centers last season provided dominant performances and highlight-filled plays. Many players from these two positions have all of the tools to succeed at the next level, such as with these four talents.
Yuuto Williams — Ribet Academy
Yuuto Williams is a 6’9” versatile player who can alternate between the four and the five for Ribet Academy. He has a presence on both sides of the floor but more as a defender in the paint. Williams is very mobile and constantly on the move within the restricted area. He has a high IQ of both positioning and awareness inside, which helps him in help defense situations. He has potential written all over him, but there is work for him to do in his senior year in order to polish his defensive production. Working on not allowing his opponent to freely wiggle out of tight space and giving them the opportunity to patrol inside can push Williams’ defensive play even further.
Look for Williams to establish more of a consistent shot-blocking presence in his senior campaign.
Paul Ezanyim — Roosevelt
Paul Ezanyim is one of several quality scorers on the Roosevelt Mustangs. His game centers more on paint scoring and hustling drives inside. The 6’5” forward likes to finish off the glass and occasionally steps back to finish his shot attempt via a post-move. He is also a good cutter inside and can finish quickly after receiving a pass down low. However, outside shooting is not a significant strength of his. If he can expand his shooting range to be more assertive from the mid-range and even out to 3-point land, he could take the Mustangs’ offense to another level.
The potential is there.
Brandon Richard — Windward
It has been difficult for opposing guards to score against Windward in the paint considering they have physical defenders such as standout Kijani Wright and Brandon Richard. The latter has grown as a versatile player. Of course, he can score inside and is patient on the ball. But his defensive work is under-the-radar. The 6’7” talent moves well when defending within the paint and keeps steady balance in isolation situations. He constantly has his eyes on the paint and is able to quickly spring inside as a help defender to challenge the incoming opponent or to simply turn into a shot-blocker.
His quality as a defender will only continue to complement Windward on this side of the floor.
Jon Spayne — Agoura
Agoura’s Jon Spayne earned All-Coastal Canyon League Second Team honors for his quality play as a dual-threat forward. He was a much needed all-around contributor over the 2019–2020 season. He posted multiple double-digit showings due to his work as a pull-up shooter. He is a talent who initiates contact against his defender, angles his body low while patrolling the perimeter and pulls up for a pull-up attempt. This provided the junior with an advantage as it makes him unpredictable to defend against at times. Still, he must be quicker on the ball to gain even more leverage when pulling up for a shot.
Spayne is also an opportune turnover creator, which is why he averaged a fair 1.0 steals per game.