The post FAB 50: Best Wings in the Top 15 appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.
]]>In this piece we take a closer look at some of the best wings on the teams who to make the Top 15 cut in Ronnie's preseason FAB 50 rankings. Check the full player breakdowns below and make sure to dive further into each player in our?profiles database!
Chris Livingston, No. 6 Oak Hill Academy - Livingston has an impressive combination of size, length, athleticism and off-the-bounce skill that you see in a high major college wing, which is obviously his projected level as he signed with Kentucky. The 6-foot-6, 200-pounder is an explosive leaper both in space and in traffic and uses that trait to finish above and through contact in the lane. While Livingston is best when getting out and filling the lane in transition, he has the ball skills to break down a defender in the half-court setting and get to the rim where he finishes with power and highlight-reel dunks.
Chris Bunch, No. 15 Wasatch Academy - Bunch is a smooth and explosive wing who uses his fluid three-point and mid-range shooting strokes to open up driving lanes. The 6-foot-7 Syracuse-signee has shown the ability initiate offense with the ball in his hands when needed, but is most effective in a fast break setting where he can slash his way to the bucket for an above-the-rim finish.
Dariq Whitehead, No. 1 Montverde - Whitehead has really nice feel and basketball instincts both on and off the ball. At 6-feet-6 with a strong 190-pound frame, the Duke-signee is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenders because of his first-step explosiveness and quick twitch athleticism. Whitehead is a relentless downhill attacker of the basket, but can also keep defenses honest with a smooth pull-up jumper and catch-and-shoot consistency from three-point range. Perhaps Whitehead’s ticket to being a long-term pro is his defensive potential on the wing.
Dillon Mitchell, No. 1 Montverde - Mitchell is a freaky transition and vertical athlete whose length and explosiveness make him a poster dunk waiting to happen. At 6-feet-7 and a long, wiry 180 pounds, the Texas-bound wing is great when moving off of the ball and finding a weak spot in the defense where he can finish off a lob with a dunk. Mitchell is one of those high motor guys who rarely takes a play off, which will pair well with Chris Beard’s style of play at Texas.
Isaiah Elohim, No. 9 Sierra Canyon - The 6-foot-5 wing will have to sit out until Dec. 27th for the Trailblazers due to the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) transfer rules and when he’s eligible to play it will add another versatile offensive piece to a loaded Sierra Canyon Roster. Elohim is a smooth three-level scorer with advanced feel for the game. The surefire national recruit is just a sophomore, but already has a polished scoring package complete with deep three-point range and a sweet pull-up mid-range jumper.
Jarace Walker, No. 2 IMG Academy - Walker has a body and skill-set that’s kind of in that in-between space of a wing and power forward type of prospect. The 6-foot-8, 220-pounder is an athletic specimen who dominates the offensive and defensive boards. He has the ball skills and basketball IQ to push the break and make a good decision and can get to the rim off of dribble-drives for power finishes. The Houston-signee can hit face-up mid-range shots, but it will be interesting to see how he’s used at the next level and if he can develop a consistent perimeter shot.
Jett Howard, No. 2 IMG Academy - Howard will be heading to play for his father, Juwan, at Michigan and really has the type of game you’d expect from a former NBA player’s son. At 6-feet-7, the senior is a lethal three-point shooter both off the catch and off the bounce, has the ball handling, vision and passing IQ to initiate offense if needed, and is a multi-positional offensive player who can create mismatches on the court.
Justin Edwards, No. 10 Imhotep Charter - The Top-15 ranked junior is one of those guys who is just wired to score. At 6-feet-7 with a long, rangy frame, Edwards is a crafty left-hander who looks to break defenders down off the dribble and get into his mid-range scoring package. The five-star prospect is also a catch-and-shoot threat from behind the arc and is especially consistent from the either wing or either corner.
MacKenzie Mgbako, No. 11 Gill St. Bernard - Mgbako is such a tough cover for opposing defenses because of his versatility on the offensive end. The 6-foot-7 wing is a three-level scorer who hits three-point shots from multiple spots and ranges, but can also hit fadeaway jumpers at the mid-range level or take a straight-line drive and finish around the cup. What sets Mgbako apart from others in the 2023 class is his feel with his back to the basket and ability to capitalize on a size advantage in the post.
Noah Batchelor, No. 2 IMG Academy - Batchelor is probably the most pure shooter on this list. The 6-foot-6 Memphis-bound senior is one of those guys opponents try to run off the line because he doesn’t need much time or space to get his shot off. With his size, combined with his quick release and fundamental shooting mechanics, Batchelor is the perfect floor spreading wing at the next level.
Scotty Middleton, No. 3 Sunrise Christian Academy - Middleton is a long, wiry, bouncy and shifty wing who has great scoring feel. The 6-foot-6 junior has a consistent catch-and-shoot three-point shoot, can attack bad closeouts and score above the rim, or create offensive looks for himself off the dribble. One of Middleton’s best attributes is the way he gets out and runs in transition, helping his team get an easy bucket on the break.
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]]>In this piece we take a closer look at some of the best big men who pace Ronnie's preseason teams ranked No. 1 to No. 15. Check the full player breakdowns below and make sure to dive further into each player in our profiles database!
Aaron Bradshaw, No. 4 Camden (NJ) - Bradshaw is regarded as a Top 25 National prospect in the class of 2023 and it's easy to see why. The 7-foot, 210-pound center fits that modern big type of role as he excels in pick and roll action due to his combination of mobility on the perimeter and dexterity around the basket when rolling, catching and finishing. Adding Bradshaw to a loaded Camden roster led by 2023 guard DJ Wagner is why Ronnie started the Panthers at No. 4.
Cameron Barnes, No. 7 Duncanville (TX) - Barnes is another highly-ranked and highly-recruited 2023 forward/center prospect. The 6-foot-9, 200-pounder is regarded as a Top 60 recruit in the class and is in that "stretch four" mold where his fluid athleticism and perimeter skill-set make him an effective rim-runner and finisher in transition or a floor spacer in the half-court where he can slash his way to the rim for paint finishes out of the "dunker" spot on the floor.
Charlie Williams, No. 12 Carmel (IN) - Williams might not be as recognizable as some of the other names on this list, but the 6-foot-10 forward/center should have a strong senior season for No. 12 Carmel and a solid career at the next level at William & Mary. The senior has great hands, footwork and touch around the basket and can stretch the floor to the three-point line while also being an instinctual rim protector and shot blocker.
Devin Williams, No. 14 Corona Centennial (CA) - The Centennial junior is as high of an upside prospect as you will find on this list. At 6-feet-9 with ball skills and fluid and smooth athleticism, Williams is one of those players who gets better each time he takes the floor. He can spread defenses out with his perimeter shooting touch and is also an effective scorer in transition due to his ability to beat his defensive assignment down the floor on a consistent basis.
Drew Kania, No. 11 Gill St. Bernard - Versatility is the name of the game for Kania. The 6-foot-8 forward, who is committed to Brown University, has an inside-out scoring arsenal complete with face-up shooting ability off the catch and in pick and pop situations. Kania has proven to be a difficult cover when at the elbows or in a "horns" type of offensive set because he can put the ball on the floor and get to the rim or use his high IQ and precision passing ability to find an open teammate.
Eric Dailey Jr., No. 2 IMG Academy - With his style of play, the 6-foot-7, 215-pound senior could be categorized in a variety of ways, but we think he fits well on the big man list due to how he will play for IMG Academy this season. Dailey, Jr. has a combination of size, length and athleticism that, combined with his skill, makes him a tough cover at the high school level. Dailey, Jr. can score with his back to the basket, in face-up situations with a jumper or rip-and-go, and he can take his defender off he bounce in an isolation situation for a physical paint bucket or pull-up jumper.
Ernest Udeh Jr., No. 14 Dr. Phillips - While Udeh is still in the "raw" category when it comes to his offensive skill-set, there's no teaching the size he has and the energy and effort he brings to the floor. The 6-foot-10 senior is a beast on the offensive and defensive glass and has shown a ton of potential as a shot blocker and rim protector. What the Kansas-signee does best is get out and run in transition. Udeh gets up and down the court with ease and is an elite catcher and finisher of lob passes.
Jerrell Roberson, No. 8 DeMatha Catholic - Roberson, who is unranked by most national recruiting websites, is another young big man who has developed that true stretch-four type of skill-set. At 6-feet-9, 205 pounds, the James Madison-commit has a smooth and consistent shooting stroke with his feet set and time and space to get his shot off. Roberson has a high basketball IQ when moving without the ball and executing pick-and-pop action.
Kijani Wright, No. 9 Sierra Canyon - Wright transferred to an already-loaded Sierra Canyon to fortify its front-court. The 6-foot-8 power forward, who will be at USC next season, is as high motor and hard working as they come. Wright never takes a play off and is a versatile defender who can switch on to a guard in ball screen action or hedge and recover in that same situation. Offensively, Wright has shown the ability to score through contact inside and face-up and hit the 15 to 17 foot set shot. His most effective offensive tool is his relentless pursuit of offensive rebounds resulting in second-chance points.
Kwame Evans Jr., No. 1 Montverde Academy -?The No. 2 overall ranked player in the 2023 class is a new-age forward in the sense that he impacts the game in a variety of ways, many of which are both traditional and non-traditional to today's big man position. Evans, Jr. is a long and rangy 6-foot-9 junior who has shown instinctual shot blocking and rim protecting ability in addition to his ball skills and IQ in leading a fastbreak after a defensive stop. While Evans prefers to operate on the perimeter, he has great hands and footwork around the basket and it will be interesting to see how his game evolves over the next couple of years.
Mark Mitchell, No. 3 Sunrise Christian Academy -?Mitchell could be a guy who trends toward the "wing" position as a prospect as he continues to add more perimeter feel to his all-around game. As of now, though, the 6-foot-8 forward is a monster inside. The five-star ranked senior can get deep post position for a quick turn and finish, but can also back guys down in the mid-post and make a strong move on the blow block for a bucket with touch or one above the rim with authority.
Vince Iwuchukwu, No. 1 Montverde Academy - The Top 20 ranked prospect, who is heading to USC next season, is a legitimate 7-footer whose impact is felt on the defensive end of the floor. Iwuchukwu's quick twitch athleticism to go along with his anticipation and mobility when recovering or providing help-side defense makes him an intimidating rim protecting presence. Offensively, the senior is still on the raw side of his development, but he has shown flashes of fundamental post footwork and power or finesse finishing ability.
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