Top 50 Player Breakdown: 2021 Small Forwards (Part One)
The small forward position has become the defining position for today’s game in lots of ways. The versatility that the tweener body type provides is no longer overlooked. There are 16 small forwards ranked in the Iowa 2021 Top 50,…
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Continue ReadingThe small forward position has become the defining position for today’s game in lots of ways. The versatility that the tweener body type provides is no longer overlooked. There are 16 small forwards ranked in the Iowa 2021 Top 50, and the skill of those players make it the most talented position group in the state. We’ll start from the bottom and work our way up to the top ranked prospects. Here are the first six:
Carter Janssen Carter Janssen 6'5" | SF Cedar Falls | 2021 State IA – Cedar Falls
Carter will stretch the floor with his shooting, but I love his game inside the lane. He roams the baseline and cuts in at the right moments. He has polished footwork which allows him to cover lots of ground with little movement. His court vision is excellent, and creates the non-obvious shot opportunities that separate good passers from great ones.
Jamari Smith Jamari Smith 6'4" | SF Hempstead | 2021 State IA – Hempstead
Jamari is a defensive specialist who terrorizes opposing offenses. He shuffles his feet exceptionally well and has strong, fast hands which fuel his on-ball success on defense. Off-ball, he has great anticipation and can turn on the jets to close a gap when needed. On offense, Jamari is an excellent rebounder and can stretch the defense with accurate perimeter shooting. His versatility pairs nicely next to the high-volume scorer, Michael Duax Michael Duax 6'5" | SF Hempstead | 2021 State IA .
Ryan Blum Ryan Blum 6'4" | SF Glenwood | 2021 State IA – Glenwood
Ryan averaged 19.7 points per game in his junior season, and no returning Glenwood player scored more than 6 per game last season. With senior departures, the Rams will look to Ryan to shoulder a large percentage of the burden. It might not have to be with scoring, but he will need to continue his impressive rebounding, and improve upon his playmaking.
Dylan Johnson Dylan Johnson 6'6" | SF Western Dubuque | 2021 State IA – Western Dubuque
Spot-up shooting is a strength of Dylan’s, with his compact, efficient shooting motion. His post-up game has developed nicely over the last year, too. Over the summer, he showed improved ability to stay attached to his man on defense, I think mostly due to physical development. He is strong with delicate touch inside.
Jacob Townsend Jacob Townsend 6'4" | SF Pleasant Valley | 2021 State IA – Pleasant Valley
The biggest gap in Jacob’s game is his lack of a jumpshot. Often it doesn’t end up mattering. He is a decent ball-handler, and can combo multiple dribble moves to get past his man. He is very difficult to guard without help because of his east to west style offense.
Camden Schroeder Camden Schroeder 6'5" | SF East Sac County | 2021 State IA – East Sac County
As a junior, Camden was first in points, first in rebounds, and second in assists for the Raiders. He does not venture out of the paint too often, but can step outside the line and hit from deep at a reliable clip (44 percent). In the lane, he was astoundingly efficient for a player who does not live off dunks or 1-foot shots, 62 percent from the field.