Underrated Bigs To Watch Out For
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 five bigs who have flown a bit under the radar:
Camille Thomas – 2021 5’11” Power Forward Hebron HS – Thomas sets tough screens and rolls hard to the basket. She is decisive when she attacks the rim. She really shines at the defensive end. Her athleticism and mobility allow her to stay in front of perimeter players. She uses her long reach to come up with a ton of steals. The soon-to-be senior can get it done as a rim protector with her length as well. She has the versatility to guard any position one through five.
India Howard – 2022 6’0” Power Forward/Center Coppell HS – Howard’s pure strength is immediately noticeable. She has a physicality to her game. You’re not going to be able to push her around on the court. She welcomes contact and finishes through it. Her willingness to put the ball on the floor and slash her way to the hoop makes her a tough player to match up against. She can even hit a pull up jumper when defenses sag off of her. Howard has the potential to be a special prospect if she continues to refine her skills.
Briley Barnes – 2022 6’0” Power Forward Amarillo HS – This is one of those prospects who always seems to do the little things. Her fundamentals are really solid. Barnes does a great job of boxing out opponents. She is relentless on the glass at both ends. She has the ability to drill mid-range jumpers and can even stretch out to the corner and hit an open three from the catch. There is a lot to like about her.
Chelsea Okusagah – 2021 5’8” Power Forward/Center Allen HS – Even after some digging around online, I couldn’t find an updated list of Okusagah’s measurables beyond the 2018-19 season. I don’t want to speculate on her exact height, but I think it’s safe to say that she has at least grown an inch or two since then, allowing her to operate as more of a post player. She runs the floor incredibly well and often goes coast to coast when she gets a steal or rebound. She thrives in transition and knows how to turn turnovers into easy points.
Saylor Lewis – 2022 6’0” Center Prosper HS – Lewis is a menace defensively. She challenges every shot that comes within her area code. She is a ferocious rebounder too. She is good at timing her leaps and still elevates on her second and third jumps. The 2022 big excels at tracking down boards and getting the ball out of her hands via outlet passes. She is a bit raw offensively, but her contributions on the glass and defense earned her a spot on this list.