Adidas Silver Midwest: 2019 Forwards
The first live period is over and now comes the notes. We are searching through our book and seeing who stood out and made a name for themselves. Here is our evaluations from Adidas Gauntlet Silver this past weekend. These are our notes from the best forwards from what we saw.
Malachy Simpson – 6’6 / PF / 2019 / Webster Groves (MO) / Gateway 2019
Simpson is a big, physical post forward who has the frame to play now and enough strength to impact the game in the paint. Showed some ability to play on the wing but looks like game is built more as faced up at the rim. Rebounds well and has strong hands. Good motor and ability to play with his back to the basket and make plays with above average mobility for his size.
Jaylen Jennings – 6’7 / PF / 2019 / Avon (IN) / Indiana Elite Central 2019
Jennings is a long, skinny forward who just picked up basketball in high school and is developing decently quick. He’s really mobile and has some athleticism but the raw skills are going to take a little more time. However, his ball handling has improved to the point where he can make plays in the post. Has a good idea of what he is trying to do. The high-academic talent will play more as a faced up wing forward until he can add more strength.
Joe Andershock – 6’6 / SF / 2019 / Marquette Catholic (IN) / Indiana Elite Central 2019
Andershock has really gotten better and more comfortable as a wing in the last year. He’s mobile and confident enough on the perimeter to make plays and his ball handling has come through with that. He’s likely more of a small school 3/4 where he can stretch the floor and shoot a bit. He’s got the ability to switch 3-5 at that level. He’s been really consistent in the last year or so.
Max Newman – 6’7 / PF / 2019 / Monrovia (IN) / Indiana Elite Fastbreak 2019
Newman looks better with his frame, trimmed down a bit and was just as mobile and quick as ever. For his size, he’s always been able to move well and has just enough ball handling to make some fun plays. Wasn’t as impactful on the offensive end but will be fine. His shooting is a above average skill for him and so is the ball handling. If he can put all of that together for a few games and he could breakout.
Zach Rinehart – 6’7 / PF / 2019 / Avon (IN) / Indiana Elite Fastbreak 2019
Rinehart looked really good in this event. Frame looks strong and he was trying to use it on most every play. He’s really quick for a big and liked to be the aggressor and be physical when looking to post up. Can face-up pretty well and the handles are okay right now. Will need to add in more of a perimeter jumper, at least show it more. He’s already drawing interest because of his foot speed and aggressive mentality with regards to rebounding. Add in more versatile offense and he’s really rounding out his game.
Noah Applegate – 6’6 / PF / 2019 / Penn (IN) / Indiana GAME 2019
Might have been the best that Applegate has looked. Was really aggressive looking to shoot and did so successfully. Had about 16 points in the first half of one of the games and did so hitting three triples. His shooting is key as he’s on his way to becoming a solid small-ball four. He’s physically setup to defend 4/5 at the next level and if the offense stays this way, he’s got a chance to draw in quite a few options. Was one of the better performers of the weekend.
Wade Williams – 6’7 / C / 2019 / Kankakee Valley (IN) / Indiana GAME 2019
Williams is a big post player who has a great frame with tons of strength and is fairly mobile. Needs to use his body and strength more and become more assertive but has the makings of a true 5 for a small school program. His mobility is solid and should provide good help side defense and rotation ability when needed.
Luke Haasl – 6’10 / C / Oshkosh West (WI) / Wisconsin Crusaders 2019
Haasl is a tall, thin post with tons of length and some mobility. True post player that will play on the inside of the floor. Solid shot blocking ability with good timing and enough quickness to get into position when he needs to come from help side and rotate. Will need to add strength as the frame is pretty thin. Can score in the post with decent touch and is plenty capable of receiving the ball in the post. Gets up and down the floor pretty well.