Names to Know: Braden Huff & Caden Pierce
With no travel team season in the spring there are players that could be flying under the radar now that would have blown up this spring! A pair of teammates “Names to Know” are Glenbard West power forward Braden Huff…
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Continue ReadingWith no travel team season in the spring there are players that could be flying under the radar now that would have blown up this spring! A pair of teammates “Names to Know” are Glenbard West power forward Braden Huff Braden Huff 6'11" | PF Glenbard West | 2022 State #58 Nation IL and shooting guard Caden Pierce.
Huff is one of the more intriguing 2022 post prospects in the state. He stands at 6’9” with a long and very thin frame. Will definitely need to add considerable strength over the next few years to be able to deal with the physicality at the next level. So much to like here. He is a face up four man that can really shoot the ball from the perimeter. Plus shooter off the catch that hits threes consistently. Shot mechanics start a little low, but that can be cleaned up easily. Excellent passer out of the high post and even initiating the offense. Finds cutters and hits guys on the move for scores. Handles it pretty well for a power forward although he is left hand dominant. Touch inside and despite being thin he does a good job of playing through contact to convert at the rim. Fits the new age face up four man role to perfection!
Mid-major prospect at this stage with high-major upside. According his high school Jason Opoka the 2022 four man is receiving interest from Northwestern, Iowa, Wisconsin, Purdue, Ohio State, Belmont, Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Bradley, Creighton, Miami (OH), Loyola, Lehigh, Princeton, Drake, and Stanford.
Pierce is a legacy player as his brother Justin was a standout a few years back that killed it at William & Mary before playing his final year at North Carolina. Like his older brother Caden can really shoot the basketball. Long arms with a 6’5” frame that he should be able to add some strength. Clean shot off the catch. Crafty finisher with reverse layups. Skilled all-around game with his passing, shooting, etc. Average athlete that could get better once he gets stronger. Will move into the next rankings with a D1 grade.
Opoka says that he has heard from Yale, Lehigh, Princeton, Harvard, Elon, Charlotte, Drake, Belmont, Colombia, Holy Cross, UW-Milwaukee, Miami (OH), and Bradley about his young wing.
Both prospects were expected to play with the Illinois Wolves on the travel team circuit this spring before events were cancelled.