Taku, a foward out of Malden Catholic High School in Massachusetts, is the #6 ranked small forward and checks in at #20 overall. There might not have been a team that lost more to graduation and the prep ranks than Malden Catholic coming into this season, but Taku has stepped up in a big way and been a major contributor from opening night, when he posted a 15 point – 12 rebound double-double. The 6’6″ forward has a great combination of positional size, strength, and athletic pop, which make him a mismatch for most forwards in the MIAA. He’s got a great motor, can makes plays from the perimeter off the bounce, and is a high level finisher around the rim. On the other end of the floor, he does a nice job of keeping opposing bigs away from their scoring spots and is an absolute workhorse on the defensive glass. Don’t be surprised if he’s in the all-state conversation in Massachusetts as soon as next winter.

Taku is a 6-foot-5 freshman who’s already dominating the MIAA. The Malden Catholic forward is way too big and strong for opposing forwards, and when he combines those tools with his vertical pop, he’s hard to stop. He has a pretty nice-looking shot (which is quite impressive for a player his age/size), but he’s also able to confidently and decisively attack closeouts when the defense overplays him. Taku is a key part of a very talented Malden Catholic squad that’s going to potentially make a state title run, and he should only continue to get more better as he figures out his body and how to use it.

Taku is beyond special. The 6-foot-5 forward has incredible physical attributes for his age—he’s long and athletic and is quite strong in the paint—but he also has some guard skills and a really nice finishing bag at the rim. He can make layups and floaters with both hands and can also take contact at the hoop. And, the freshman is able to step out and knock down outside shots, too. He is a special player who should play a significant role on a good Malden Catholic team this season. Sky’s the limit for Taku, who is going to light up the MIAA this year.

Taku, a freshman forward out of Malden Catholic, has a chance to make an immediate impact this winter with his combination of size, strength, and skill. He has a quick first step on the perimeter, the size needed to finish over defenders in the paint, and a willingness to play through contact as a driver and finisher. He’s a good athlete that has the ability to be a plus grab-and-go rebounder that can start the offense in transition.