2017 Position Rankings: Power Forwards
In the last few years, there hasn’t been as class that has had as much talent as this 2017 group. Even more, the power forward spot is probably the deepest of any in a long time. Especially at the top,…
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Continue ReadingIn the last few years, there hasn’t been as class that has had as much talent as this 2017 group. Even more, the power forward spot is probably the deepest of any in a long time. Especially at the top, you have four players with high major offers already in Jaren Jackson, Zach Gunn, Jack Nunge, and Malik Williams. Those prospects lead a position with as many as 10 DI players in it right now.
As for the makeup of this group, you have a ton of legit big men with great skill sets and that is a lot of the reason why you see the amount of DI players in this group. However, it extends even outside of the top 10 guys. I really like how Lebanon’s Trevor Lakes has played the last 9 months. At 6’7, he can do a lot of things with the ball in his hands. Joseph Counts of Fishers also has a chance to be a sought after guy. A little further down the list you have some good size in Stephon Peters–Smith (6’8), Austin Sappingfield (6’9), and Drew Lumsdon (6’8). There are 11 guys 6’8 or bigger in this position.
Another aspect that you see in this group is versatility. Power forwards now need to have the ability, at the higher levels, to shoot from the perimeter. Guys like Jaren Jackson and Zach Gunn have that skill already but some other names that can add some shooting are guys like Wyatt Hughes, Trevor Lakes, Joseph Counts, Austin Sappingfield, and Jensen Kellett.
Some names to watch for this summer that could move up a level, there are plenty. I like Luke Seber of Monrovia, Brandon Watts of South Bend Washington, Trace Ramsey of Valparaiso, and Andrew Kenneally of Crown Point. With that said, here is the list of the top power forwards in the 2017 class.
Rank | Prospect | Height | Position | High School | College |
3 | Jaren Jackson Jr. | 6’9 | PF | Park Tudor | |
4 | Malik Williams | 6’11 | PF | Fort Wayne Snider | |
7 | Zach Gunn | 6’7 | PF | Hamilton Southeastern | |
10 | Jack Nunge | 6’10 | PF | Castle | |
12 | Jaylen Butz | 6’9 | PF | Fort Wayne North | |
13 | Ra Kpedi | 6’8 | PF | Lawrence North | |
14 | Alex King | 6’8 | PF | Columbus North | |
17 | Emmanuel Little | 6’6 | PF | North Central | |
18 | Cassius Smits-Francisco | 6’9 | PF | Zionsville | |
25 | Wyatt Hughes | 6’8 | PF | Maconaquah | |
27 | Erick Shepherd | 6’5 | PF | Mt. Vernon (Fortville) | |
28 | Stephon Peters-Smith | 6’8 | PF | Columbus North | |
38 | Trevor Lakes | 6’7 | PF | Lebanon | |
48 | Joseph Counts | 6’6 | PF | Fishers | |
58 | Austin Sappingfield | 6’9 | PF | West Vigo | |
62 | Andrew Kenneally | 6’7 | PF | Crown Point | |
74 | Nathan Mills | 6’5 | PF | Perry Meridian | |
77 | Mitchell Meagher | 6’5 | PF | Scottsburg | |
82 | Drew Lumsdon | 6’8 | PF | Northview | |
83 | Trace Ramsey | 6’6 | PF | Valparaiso | |
89 | Cam Dixon | 6’7 | PF | Guerin Catholic | |
95 | Brandon Watts | 6’7 | PF | South Bend Washington | |
97 | Johnnie Jones | 6’8 | PF | East Chicago Central | |
105 | Cole Gardner | 6’5 | PF | Zionsville | |
111 | Isiah James | 6’5 | PF | Indianapolis Pike | |
123 | Carter Taylor | 6’7 | PF | Frankfort | |
125 | Sergiey Slaughter | 6’6 | PF | Southport | |
126 | Jensen Kellett | 6’6 | PF | Northview | |
136 | Luke Seber | 6’5 | PF | Monrovia | |
138 | Conner Brens | 6’5 | PF | Plainfield | |
146 | Chaz Painter | 6’6 | PF | Columbus East | |
151 | Charlie Carter | 6’4 | PF | Tipton | |
154 | Aaron Shank | 6’5 | PF | Hamilton Southeastern | |
162 | Addison Volkman | 6’5 | PF | Evansville Reitz | |
176 | Kaleb Swick | 6’4 | PF | Southmont |