I love Chiacchia’s game so much. He won’t wow you with vertical athleticism, but he’s very strong and has wonderful footwork in the paint. Any post move you’re thinking of, he has it in his bag. And despite the fact that he’s undersized for the big-man position, his density and strength make him very difficult to handle in the paint. He isn’t getting D1 offers, likely because he looks like the type of guy that would excel in a YMCA league, but once coaches watch him for awhile they’ll start to understand how fundamentally sound and effective he is. Just give him a chance.

A solid frame that finishes through contact is a body type you need at D1. Offensively he is getting more polished, getting great position on offensive boards either inside or outside of opponents to gain an advantage. Moves well without the ball in the zone offense, he is coiled up ready to catch and shoot or to make a move. He has good footwork around the rim/paint and moves to get shots off. IQ he has a solid foundation squaring shoulders up to backboard when needed to avoid blocked shots, good use of shot fakes and can pass well to perimeter players from the paint or post area.

I love the way Chiacchia reads the game. You won’t be astounded by his physical tools or athleticism – he’s a 6-foot-7 forward who doesn’t get too high off the ground – but he thinks the game at a very high level and works his tail off on both ends. He’s an excellent post player who has elite-level passing ability for his position, but he also knows how to maneuver and position his body to be effective on the offensive glass. And, he pulls it all together with some great footwork and craft around the rim to finish around larger bigs. Chiacchia should get some scholarship looks or could have a wonderful career at the highest level D3 schools.

Chiacchia’s offensive output was key for South Kent to defeat IMG Academy. He has elite touch inside of the paint and just finds a way to put the ball in the cup. He was able to get rebounds on both ends of the floor. He has a strong base which allows him to hold his own when battling for position inside. Chiacchia had 17 points and 5 rebounds versus IMG.

Chiacchia, a big wing with a fundamentally sound skillset, had a strong summer while running with the New York Jayhawks. A long and lean 6’7″, Chiacchia is capable of playing both on the perimeter and in the post on the offensive end of the floor. He’s shown the ability to hold post position, seals his defender in transition, and does a good job of showing his hands as a target for entry passes. He’s got great length and does a solid job of catching and finishing high. On the perimeter, he’s able to put the ball on the floor for multiple dribbles and can knock down the occasional perimeter jumper off the catch. Defensively, he can guard wings and forwards, doing a good job of moving laterally and impacting the game with his length. As he continues to add strength, he should be able to become a strong post defender and defensive rebounder. He’s a serious next level prospect that could play his way into a scholarship with a strong season at South Kent.