Top Stretch Bigs in 2021
Today, we take a look at one of the most sought after archetypes in the new age of basketball, the stretch big man. Gone are the days of a big standing in the paint and scoring on post ups, and…
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Continue ReadingToday, we take a look at one of the most sought after archetypes in the new age of basketball, the stretch big man. Gone are the days of a big standing in the paint and scoring on post ups, and now more and more bigs are stretching the floor and shooting the ball, giving their guards plenty of room to operate when getting downhill. Here’s a look at 7 guys in the 2021 class in VA that are some of the top stretch bigs in the state.
Bryson Spell Bryson Spell 6'7" | PF Cape Henry | 2021 State VA | 6’7” PF | Cape Henry
Spell has shown over the past few years that he’s one of the best shooters in the state whether it’s at his size and position or overall. The 6’7” forward has seen his recruitment take off as schools have seen his confidence improve and his ability to pick and pop or move on the perimeter to get open and make shots. He’s got a great release and good form from the feet up and he’s a guy who continues to add to his game as well.
Gabe Wiznitzer Gabe Wiznitzer 7'0" | C Hargrave | 2021 VA | 6’10” C | Hargrave
Wiznitzer is one of the most highly touted bigs on the east coast and next year at Hargrave he’ll be able to show that you can actually run the offense through him on the perimeter. On top of his ability to shoot it consistently from deep, he’s an excellent passer and has a killer shot fake that allows him to get by guys and hit pull-ups or make plays off of a couple of dribbles. He’s the new age stretch five that can play inside-out and is very tough to match up with.
Dominic Strother Dominic Strother 6'10" | PF Woodstock Academy | 2022 VA | 6’7” PF | Central-Woodstock
Strother is one of the best unknown prospects in the state as he plays in a small market but the 6’7” forward has a great skill set on the perimeter. He can handle the ball in transition and in the half court, he can stretch the floor off the catch and can get to the midrange where he can hit the pull-up. He has great tools for his size and as he continues to get stronger will be a tough matchup as a hybrid forward.
William Henderson William Henderson 6'7" | PF Life Christian | 2021 PA | 6’10” PF | Life Christian
Henderson is one of the fastest rising prospects on the east coast after a growth spurt early in his high school career turned him from a guard to a big with guard skills. He can handle the basketball in transition, he can finish above the rim in the paint but he’s also an excellent shooter from deep and from the midrange off the bounce. He’ll have a chance to show all of his skill at his size whenever he can get back on the court.
Mason Makovec Mason Makovec 6'5" | PF Kellam | 2021 State VA | 6’6” PF | Kellam
Makovec is one of the most underrated and under appreciated guys in the 757 as he’s had a stellar career at Kellam where he took over as the go-to guy this year. The 6’6” forward is a good athlete with good strength that will bang in the paint and make plays inside, but he’s also very comfortable on the perimeter where he can make shots with consistency and attack closeouts.
Gigi Gvalia | 6’5” PF | Catholic
Gvalia was a new foreign addition to Catholic this year and he showed a euro style game with his ability to stretch the floor and make plays on the perimeter at his size. He’s a good shooter on the move or on kick-outs, and his shot always looks good and rarely touches the rim when he gets a good look. He’ll have a chance to show more of what he can do if he stays at Catholic this year.
Ja’Mais Wertz | 6’6” PF | Monacan
Wertz is a guy I’ll admit I likely underrated at first, but the improvement he showed in his game on the perimeter his junior year is very intriguing and has pulled him a few D2 offers already. He’s a strong and well built kid who can play inside but he really improved on his ability to step out and make shots on the perimeter making him tough to match up with. He showed pretty good consistency on his shot and with his strength he can guard post guys while bringing them out on the perimeter as well.