2016: Class of the Arizona big man
Arizona’s class of 2016 is loaded with big men. It has been an unusual year as a state, usually not known for it’s interior depth, has such a variety of talent inside. When looking in the Top 50, the talent…
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Continue ReadingArizona’s class of 2016 is loaded with big men. It has been an unusual year as a state, usually not known for it’s interior depth, has such a variety of talent inside. When looking in the Top 50, the talent can be broken down into four categories.
- Back to the Basket Scorers
The back to the basket game is something that is a rarity to find at the high school level. In an ever-evolving game, most inside players yearn to show their versatility as they’d prefer to step out and knock down outside shots and put the ball on the ground. While this is not a bad thing it has taken away from the ability to score efficiently at the rim. 6’8” Mitch Lightfoot (Kansas), who ranks as the state’s #1 senior, is a player who—while he can step out—has made a living around the rim. He is very good with his positioning, being patient on the block, and using his body and footwork to score around the rim. 6’9” Tim Fuller (San Francisco), ranked #9, is as skilled as they come around the basket. He has an old school game and a great feel for the game on the block. He is excellent footwork and finishes over both shoulders with regularity. The #21 ranked player AJ Elliot (Point Loma) is a physical interior player who is very good about getting positioning at the rim and finishing through contact as is 6’7” Isaiah Jones who ranks as the state’s #27 player.
- Defenders
The ability to alter and block shots can be game changing. At the college level it affects defensive schemes and allows for more pressure on the perimeter as there is a safety net at the rim. 6’10” Malik Ondigo, ranked #5 in the state, has a chance to be a game changer for a Division-I program. The 16 year old senior has made big strides in just one year, playing more confident and aggressive on the defensive end of the floor. Yes, he is beginning to finish through contact and yes, he is attacking the glass but it’s his defensive presence at the rim that makes him really intriguing due to his size, athleticism, and length. 6’9” Robbie Wauro (#40), is very raw. Popping on to the scene last spring he’s a player that doesn’t have a ton of skills but because he is lengthy and mobile he’s got good upside. He is beginning to understand how to take his natural abilities and apply them which allows him to be a rim protector. Matt Morgan (#45) is another prospect who’s barely scratched the surface of his potential. A growing 6’7”, Morgan has the agility of the guard paired with a tremendously long wingspan which helps him to cover an array of positions on the defensive end of the floor while still protecting the paint.
- Face Up
More common in today’s game, there’s no wonder there is such a large group of these players in the 2016 class. The most polished of this class is #2 ranked Wyatt Lowell (Utah Valley). At 6’9″ Lowell has the ability to handle and pass the ball like a perimeter player, the size to defend the interior, and the offensive ability to score from just about anywhere on the floor. While Wyatt is currently the best, 6’11” Brendan Rumel (Portland State), ranked #6, may have the highest upside. There’s probably no player in the senior class the improved their game more than Rumel from the spring to the summer. He runs the floor like a deer and is in this category because of his ability to stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting ability. However, he is not limited to being a face up four as he has the ability to change the game defensively and is also improving with his back to the basket. 6’10” Devin Kirby (Montana State) is ranked 12th in the state after sitting all spring and summer with a brutal knee injury. He is back and has been solid for Basha HS as the outside member of an in/out duo with 6’5″ junior Gabe McGlothan. #22 ranked Nik Mains is made in a similar fashion to Lowell. Standing 6’9″ Nik can really stretch the floor. However, what makes him more intriguing is his ability to handle and pass the ball. 6’6″ Lawrence Combs is in this category for different reasons than others. While he can knock in the occasional outside shot that’s not why the state’s #38 ranked player in considered a face up for. It’s his ability to attack opponents off the dribble both in transition and the half court. 6’5″ Teddy Allen is also an unconventional forward. Ranked #39, he’s a wide framed 4-man that can face up and shoot, take it off the dribble, and post. #42 ranked Tony Licavoli teams with Lightfoot at Gilbert Christian, stretching the floor with his shooting ability which opens up scoring opportunities for his teammates.
- Rebounders
At the end of the day, possession is key in basketball and defensive success comes down to being able to hold opponents to one shot. This group of guys make sure that happens for their teammates and that their opponents struggle to do the same. Ranked #10 in the state Klay Stall (Utah State) is a physical interior presence that plays within himself. He’s not uber skilled or overly athletic but he has another size and plays with enough physicality to be dominant on the glass. 6’7″ Brett Morrow, ranked #20, impressed everyone who saw him in the spring with his motor and ability to rebound on both ends. #41 ranked Johnathan Stevens is a bit undersized standing right at 6’6″ but is a hard worker with good length that has carved a niche for himself with one of the west coast’s top national high school teams as a rebounder. 6’6″ Davion Green (#46) is a high motor guy that brings energy and physicality to the floor. He is a ‘never quit’ guy that makes a living crashing the glass on both ends of the floor. While undersized, the #49 ranked Trace Edmier also makes his presence felt on the glass. Only 6’4″, he has a great rebounder prowess and uses positioning to leverage himself against bigger more athletic defenders, often coming out on the winning side of the glass.
There are a lot of posts in the 2016 class that will be effective at the collegiate level for multiple reasons. Looking outside of the top 50 the potential and production only continues. College coaches need to strongly consider looking in the Grand Canyon State if they need guys who can help their interior whether it be immediately or down the road.