7 Bigs To Watch Out For in Texas
There is no substitute for the contributions that post players provide to their teams. Their presence on the floor has value in and of itself. They impact the game in so many ways, especially at the high school level since…
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Continue ReadingThere is no substitute for the contributions that post players provide to their teams. Their presence on the floor has value in and of itself. They impact the game in so many ways, especially at the high school level since many schools don’t have a true big.
With that in mind, here are a few of the best bigs I saw last season:
Jada Malone Jada Malone 6'3" | PF The Village School | 2021 State #30 Nation TX – 2021 6’4” Power Forward (CyFair Premier) The Village HS – There isn’t much I can say about the No. 1 ranked player in out 2021 rankings that hasn’t already been said. She is easily one of the best prospects I’ve seen since I began scouting for PGH. Malone can win in the paint with power or finesse. The Texas A&M commit isn’t afraid to put it on the floor to get to her spots. Her versatility at both ends of the court is terrific.
Mackenzie Wurm Mackenzie Wurm 6'3" | C Allen | 2021 State TX – 2021 6’3” Center Allen HS – Wurm doesn’t need to score a bunch of points to impact games. That is a testament to her ability as a rebounder and defender. She affects every shot in her vicinity. However, she can score. Wurm gets it done in the paint with her length and footwork but can also step out and shoot. She has a nice touch down low and finishes strong through contact. She continues to add things to her game and is poised for a superb senior season.
Zaria Rufus Zaria Rufus 5'11" | PF Duncanville | 2021 State TX – 2021 5’11” Power Forward (Drive Nation 16U EYBL) Duncanville HS – The most impressive thing I saw from Rufus last season was how she handled playing across from opponents with a size advantage. She is athletic enough to operate on the wing, but her determination and nose for the ball makes her an asset at the four as well. She boxes out vs. taller players and fights for boards. Defensively, Rufus holds her own in the interior but has no issue defending on the perimeter. Furthermore, her quick hands and defensive instincts result in a lot of steals and deflected passes.
Tionna Herron Tionna Herron 6'3" | PF DeSoto | 2022 State TX – 2022 6’5” Power Forward (Team Lex Gold) DeSoto HS – Herron has the type of size that overwhelms opposing players. She is a force in the paint both offensively and defensively. She times her jumps well and can really elevate when she leaves her feet. I love how she follows her misses and is always ready to go back up. She moves pretty fluidly for someone her size too.
Amina Muhammad Amina Muhammad 6'3" | PF DeSoto | 2022 State TX – 2022 6’4” Power Forward/Center (Pro Skills 17U EYBL) DeSoto HS – Muhammad is a monster on defense. Opponents often times don’t even want to try her. Those who are brave enough to face her head on usually don’t fare to well either. She is also solid offensively and finishes over the top of defenders with ease. Additionally, she crashes the boards and cleans up the glass at both ends. Teams that don’t have a true big of their own don’t stand a chance against DeSoto’s combination of Herron, Muhammad, and Sa’Myah Smith Sa’Myah Smith 6'4" | PF DeSoto | 2022 State #14 Nation TX , who will be back in the mix after suffering a season ending injury last year.
Kiersten Johnson Kiersten Johnson 6'3" | C Duncanville | 2022 State TX – 2022 6’3” Power Forward (Drive Nation 16U EYBL) Prestonwood Christian Academy – Johnson fits the mold of a stretch four beautifully. She has a slender build and runs the floor in transition. She moves gracefully between the interior and perimeter and has a pretty jumper from the outside. That said, she is at her best when she attacks the basket by utilizing her long strides. Defensively, she is an excellent shot blocker.
Taylor Haggan Taylor Haggan 5'11" | PF John Paul II | 2023 State TX – 2023 5’11” Power Forward Plano East HS – Haggan is great at coming away with second chance buckets due to her tenacity on the offensive boards. She has some crafty post moves to go to down low. She is a really good shooter from the elbows too and has shown that she can consistently hit jumpers from mid-range. Her interior passing is impressive as well. She was tremendous as a freshman. So, I can only imagine how good she will be in a couple of years.