Class of 2021 Forwards
Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at the top Class of 2021 forwards in the Show-Me State: Yaya Keita 6’9″ DeSmet: An athletic big who plays with an extremely high motor. He rarely takes a play off. He grabbed 26…
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Continue ReadingPrep Hoops Missouri takes a look at the top Class of 2021 forwards in the Show-Me State:
Yaya Keita 6’9″ DeSmet: An athletic big who plays with an extremely high motor. He rarely takes a play off. He grabbed 26 rebounds in a game during his sophomore season. He is the best in the state when it comes to rim-runs, whether he’s in transition for a slam dunk or on defense for a chase-down block. He is tough around the basket with a very effective jump hook and drop step move. He has several Division I offers already.
Jaylon McDaniel 6’7″ Blue Springs South: An athletic high-energy southpaw who does a lot of damage around the basket with his scoring and rebounding ability. He is a strong finisher around the basket and will dunk on command. He helped lead the MoKan Elite 16U to a berth in the Nike EYBL Peach Jam and Blue Springs South to a Class 5 district championship. He scored 24 points in the Jaguars’ district championship victory over Raytown.
Sam Thompson 6’9″ Francis Howell: A big stock riser who had a big summer for the Larry Hughes Basketball Academy 16U squad. He is a very skilled big who can get it done in the post or on the perimeter. He has a nice touch around the basket and a variety of offensive moves. He can also step out and knock down 3-pointers with a lot of confidence. Sam is also an excellent passer out of double-teams, so you can run offense through him. He helped the Vikings to the Class 5 Final Four last season. Has an offer from Missouri State. Many more to come.
Sekou Gassama 6’10” DeSmet: An athletic post player with excellent wingspan and a high motor, which makes him one of the top bigs in the state. He is a premiere shot blocker with his length and excellent timing around the rim and he does it without fouling. His skill set is solid as he can score around the basket with good moves and he has a nice turnaround jumper in his offensive repertoire. He teams with fellow ’21 big Yaya Keita to form a very nice twin tower lineup for DeSmet during the high school season and Gateway during the grassroots season.
Omarion Henry 6’7″ Normandy: An explosive combo forward whose stock is continuing to rise after an excellent summer with the Team Ramey 16U team. He is very good at attacking the basket off the dribble and finishing with a resounding slam dunk, thus creating a matchup problem against opposing bigs. He is also a very effective offensive rebounder with the athleticism and second-jump around the rim. His upside is big as he is continuing his development.
Jalen Hampton 6’5″ University City: A very explosive combo forward who enjoyed a breakout sophomore season and followed up with a big summer for the Gateway 16Us. He is a matchup problem with his scoring ability around the rim to go along with his ability to beat opposing bigs off the dribble. He is great in transition where he is always running and throwing down dunks off the break. He is a solid double-double threat every night.
Jonathan Dunn 6’6″ Hazelwood Central: A physical young power forward who is very productive player around the basket with his ability to rebound and throw down dunks in traffic. He plays with a high motor, which makes him a very good offensive rebounder. He is getting better at putting the ball on the floor and using his strength to score on the power drive.
Quentin Hall 6’6″ McCluer North: One of the most improved players in his class during the summer, Hall was a walking double-double machine while playing for the Team Ramey 2021s. He is a blue collar player who is constantly working on his game and it showed as he became a very dependable in the paint as well as a tireless rebounder. He will play a much bigger role for a McCluer North team that will be in transition after seeing limited duty on a Class 5 state quarterfinals team a year ago.
Harrison Wilmsen 6’8″ Priory: A solid post player who is coming off an excellent sophomore campaign where he averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds to help the Rebels to the Metro League championship. He is a mobile young big with a nice shooting touch around the basket and good fundamentals and footwork.
Donnie Brown, Jr. 6’6″ New Madrid Central: A thick-bodied post player who has a nice skill set for a player of his size. He uses his big body to establish good position inside and he finishes well around the basket. He can also step out and make a 15 footer from the high post. He is also a very effective rebounder who plays solid post defense.
Jack Pronger 6’6″ MICDS: A very solid combo forward who can really stretch the defense with his long-range shooting. He can hit the 3s in bunches when he is on his game. He is also a very effective offensive rebounder who has the length and a real nose for those putbacks. He averaged 11 points a game as a sophomore and he is poised to have a bigger year for the Rams.