2021’s Best: Top Big Men
With the 2019-20 high school hoops season in the books, and the updated class of 2021 rankings set to drop any day now, there’s no better time to take a look at some of the top junior prospects by position.…
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Continue ReadingWith the 2019-20 high school hoops season in the books, and the updated class of 2021 rankings set to drop any day now, there’s no better time to take a look at some of the top junior prospects by position. Here’s a look at some of the best big men in SoCal’s junior class.
Daniel Rouzan, Eisenhower – Some may look at Rouzan and initially think he’s just an undersized, under-athletic five-man, until they see him play. The 6-foot-7 power forward/center has a traditional post skill-set, a variety of scoring moves on the low block and footwork in the paint that is unmatched in this class. Rouzan had a tremendous junior campaign for the Eagles, scoring 20.8 points and grabbing 16.8 boards per game. While some coaches these days look for super athletic, but unskilled big men, Rouzan bucks that trend and produces each and every game.
Harold Yu, Sierra Canyon – The 7-foot-3 center has continually improved his game over the last two season and become a viable rim protector and low-post scoring presence for the Trailblazers. The biggest improvement Yu has made since arriving at Sierra Canyon before his sophomore year is with his conditioning. Yu, who plays starters minutes, can stay on the floor for long stretches of the game and impacts the outcome in a variety of ways.
Nick Davidson, Mater Dei – Davidson fits the mold of a new-age big man who has inside-out scoring ability. Early in his high school career, the 6-foot-8 forward showed good feel and touch with his back to the basket and has continually stretched his range over the last three seasons. Davidson is a capable catch-and-shoot guy out to the three-point line and has shown consistency as a short-corner floor spreader.
Remington Rofer, Loyola – Rofer and Davidson have similar approaches to the game as guys who can spread the floor in pick-and-pop or trail situations. What the 6-foot-8 forward does very well is run the floor with energy and purpose. Rofer sprints the middle of the floor in transition, has good hands, footwork and touch around the basket, and is a constant presence on both the offensive and defensive glass.
Mater Dei’s Nick Davidson is an inside-out scoring threat at 6-feet-8.Truman Gettings, Harvard-Westlake – Gettings has been doing battle with one of the better big men in the SoCal the last four years in Mason Hooks and all those practice reps have helped his overall game. Another 6-foot-8 forward, Gettings is of the more physical mold compared to some others on this list. He’s a guy who is willing to be a physical post defender, strong interior finisher and burly presence on the defensive boards. Gettings’ perimeter touch isn’t quite where it needs to be for him to be considered a trustworthy shooter, but he has shown the ability to knock down shots with his feet set and time and space.
Wilhelm Breidenbach, Mater Dei – Breidenbach is the most skilled big in SoCal’s 2021 class. The 6-foot-8 forward is lauded for his ambidextrous passing and finishing abilities to go along with the high motor he plays with. Breidenbach is a consistent three-point shooter who can also take bigger, slower defenders off the bounce with his combination of ball skills, footwork and mobility. What separates Breidenbach from some other talented big men in this class is that he can rebound the defensive glass, push the break and serve as a point-forward when needed.