Names to Know: 2022 Big Men (Part III)
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With AAU season just underway, college coaches are starting to add names to their 2022 recruiting lists. With big men being in high demand, I decided to highlight some of the better post players I have seen this past year.…
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Continue ReadingWith AAU season just underway, college coaches are starting to add names to their 2022 recruiting lists. With big men being in high demand, I decided to highlight some of the better post players I have seen this past year.
C Pape Lamine Niang Pape Lamine Niang 6'10" | C Central Pointe Christian | 2022 CA-N 6-10 Central Pointe Christian AAU: CP25
In a crowded front court, Niang turned some heads this past year for Central Pointe Christian Academy. He is relatively new to the game however his upside cannot be denied. He is a legitimate 6-10 with long arms, and best of all he knows his job. He plays close to the basket, rebounds, block shots and dunks. Unlike most big men that are new to the game Niang keeps the ball up high so that guards can’t dig down and strip the ball away. The center runs the floor hard and his frame while thin will not be that way for long with continued work in the weight room. So far Division I schools of all levels are keeping a close eye on the developing big.
C Edward Nnamoko Edward Nnamoko 6'10" | C Riviera Prep | 2022 State FL 6-11 Riviera Prep AAU: Showtime Ballers
Riviera Prep canceled their season so Nnamako did not play in high school this year. While sitting out was not ideal it provided an opportunity for the young center to work on his game and continue to add polish. At 6-11 Nnamako runs the floor like a guard and provides a serious interior presence both offensively and defensively. Nnamako holds an offer from Samford.
F/C Stephon Payne Stephon Payne 6'8" | PF Andrew Jackson | 2022 State FL 6-8 Andrew Jackson AAU: CP25 North Florida/OTOD
Another member of Andrew Jackson’s huge front court this year was Stephon Payne Stephon Payne 6'8" | PF Andrew Jackson | 2022 State FL . Another big man who runs the floor, battles on the interior, and blocks shots. The big fella played a major role on Jacksons state Final Four team averaging 6.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG and 1.0 BPG on a well balanced scoring defense first team.
PF Joey Decker Joey Decker 6'8" | PF Parrish Community | 2022 State FL 6-8 Parrish Community AAU: CP25 SWFL
Bursting onto the seen in SWFL, Decker put up numbers of 15.1PPG, 9.8 RPG and 2.3 BPG leading his team to a 12-9 record. What stands out the most about the forwards game is his ability to shoot the ball. He made 18 of his 35 3-point tries this season, and he is more than capable of knocking down the mid-range. Recruiting wise the young big man is in the early stages but as we get deeper into the AAU season don’t be surprised to hear his name more.
PF Joey Depryor Joey Depryor 6'5" | SF Boone | 2022 State FL 6-6 Boone AAU: Nona Basketball
Sharing the court with two extremely talented guards Will Searl Will Searl 6'3" | CG Boone | 2021 State FL (Converse College) and Javion Phelps Javion Phelps 6'1" | CG Boone | 2021 State FL (South Dakota football), Depryor provided a strong interior presence for Boone. The forward scrapped inside for rebounds blocked shots and excelled as a passer from the high post in Boones system. On the year he averaged 11 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.0 BPG and 2.0 APG helping lead the Braves to a 17-11 record playing against top Orlando teams all year.
PF Conner Weston Conner Weston 6'7" | SF Jupiter | 2022 State FL 6-7 Jupiter Christian AAU: Ball4lyfe
Another big man who impressed this season was Connor Weston. The sturdy 6-7 forward led Jupiter Christian in scoring and was second in rebounding with a stat line of 17.3 PPG and 7.4 RPG. The rising senior has range out to the 3-point line where he made 22 on the year, and he can also put the ball on the floor to get past slower big men. Off the court, Weston has a 3.8 GPA and is someone for high academic schools to be aware of.
F Alex Steen Alex Steen 6'7" | SF Arnold | 2022 State FL 6-7 Arnold (Panama City) AAU: Hawks Elite
I’m not sure what it is but every year the panhandle has a prospect that comes out of nowhere and catches the eyes of college coaches. This year Alex Steen Alex Steen 6'7" | SF Arnold | 2022 State FL went from being a rotational player for Arnold to the go to guy. When quarantine hit the young combo forward went to work everyday on his game. At an athletic 6-7 Steen is a highlight waiting to happen and had his fair share of poster dunks throughout the season. The forward more than tripled his output from his sophomore season averaging 21.2 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 2.0 BPG and 1.2 SPG as a junior. Off the court, Steen holds a 4.0 GPA making him a very intriguing prospect for high academic schools.
PF Manok Lual Manok Lual 6'8" | PF Bishop Snyder | 2022 State FL 6-8 Bishop Snyder AAU: Georgia Stars
The lone player taller than 6-4 on a guard heavy Bishop Snyder team, Lual was frequently tasked with guarding opposing teams biggest, and often best player. On a 20-9 team that has at least five other college players, Lual posted numbers of 8.7 PPG 3.0 RPG and 1.4 BPG. While he is a player who is relatively new to the game, there is no denying his upside as he boasts great length, runs the floor well and has a high motor. According to verbalcommits.com the big man holds offers from Western Illinois, Stetson and Kennesaw State.