Spring Preview: 2019 Top Small Forwards
The spring is now just about here and we are spending time over the next month preparing and previewing all you need to know about the 2019 class as AAU gets ready to get going. We will breakdown many areas with not only position breakdowns but the best of the best. Today, we are looking at those top small forwards in the 2019 class.
# | Prospect | HT | POS | High School |
1 | Keion Brooks | 6’8 | SF | Fort Wayne North |
2 | Aaron Etherington | 6’6 | SF | Hamilton Southeastern |
3 | Jalen Windham | 6’5 | SF | Ben Davis |
4 | Jesse Bingham | 6’5 | SF | Warren Central |
5 | Lucas Kroft | 6’5 | SF | Fort Wayne North |
6 | Frank Davidson | 6’5 | SF | Blackhawk Christian |
7 | Nate Soltis | 6’5 | SF | Cardinal Ritter |
8 | Craig Young | 6’6 | SF | Fort Wayne Wayne |
9 | Eli Pancol | 6’3 | SF | Pendleton Heights |
10 | Amari Sherrod | 6’4 | SF | Bowman Academy |
11 | Hayden Smithey | 6’5 | SF | Bishop Dwenger |
12 | Ali Ali | 6’6 | SF | East Noble |
13 | Andrew Owens | 6’5 | SF | Carmel |
14 | David Ejah | 6’4 | SF | Fort Wayne Carroll |
15 | Myles Johnson | 6’5 | SF | Indiana Northwest Warriors |
16 | Matthew Frost | 6’5 | SF | Columbus East |
17 | Reis Thomas | 6’3 | SF | Brownsburg |
18 | Chris Robinson | 6’3 | SF | Indianapolis Pike |
19 | Ozzie Johnson | 6’5 | SF | Horizon Christian (FW) |
20 | Terry Hicks | 6’4 | SF | Fishers |
21 | Justin Hensley | 6’4 | SF | Cathedral |
22 | Joe Andershock | 6’6 | SF | Marquette Catholic |
23 | Allen Plunkett | 6’5 | SF | South Putnam |
24 | Hank Pulver | 6’6 | SF | Huntington North |
25 | Jaiquan Edwards | 6’5 | SF | Crispus Attucks |
26 | Jayvon Hatton | 6’4 | SF | Indianapolis Scecina |
27 | Sam Snodgrass | 6’3 | SF | Crown Point |
28 | Dallas Holmes | 6’4 | SF | Southwood |
29 | Mark Smith Jr. | 6’4 | SF | Zionsville |
30 | Xavier Hines | 6’3 | SF | Noblesville |
31 | Dylan Romine | 6’3 | SF | New Palestine |
32 | Ajani Smith | 6’4 | SF | Indianapolis Lighthouse South |
33 | Sam Decker | 6’3 | SF | Crown Point |
34 | Keaton Richardson | 6’1 | SF | Owen Valley |
35 | Colton Randolph | 6’3 | SF | Marion |
36 | Nathan Aerts | 6’4 | SF | Valparaiso |
Breakdown: Now, we have gotten to where this class really separates from others. It has so much size and skill for the 3-4-5 positions. There are a number of guys that could rise or fall this summer because of their play and the overall depth. There are 36 players listed in here for small forwards and the majority are in the upper tiers.
As for the breakdowns we did with other classes, here is out look at this moment: Tier 1 (HM-MM): #1-3, Tier 2 (LM-DII): #4-12, Tier 3 (DII-NAIA): #13-28, Tier 4 (NAIA-DIII): #29-36.
The 3rd Tier is loaded with guys and very deep. Look at players like Andrew Owens, Myles Johnson, Chris Robinson, Ozzie Johnson, Hank Pulver, and others. There are a lot of guys who are still growing as well as developing. I think David Ejah will become a big name and Myles Johnson is someone people should get to know. Jaiquan Edwards came on strong down the stretch for Crispus Attucks.
Looking at this group, we have a variety of options. At the top of it, you have a national level recruit in Keion Brooks Jr. but also a slew of other options in terms of style of players. I think this group brings with it some good athleticism and shooting ability. Frank Davidson is a name you need to know with regards of those two things. Ali Ali as well as Jesse Bingham.
You will lose a little bit here as Craig Young and Eli Pancol will likely play football at the next level but both could be DI level talent for basketball as well. Even so, you have 34 guys to pick from and that seems like a large amount to this point for any class.