Charlie Hughes Shootout: 2023 Standout Forwards
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It was a live period, and college coaches were out in full force at Carmel and Westfield for the Charlie Hughes Shootout. 101 high school teams competed with one another in a preview for the upcoming season. Several teams and…
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Continue ReadingIt was a live period, and college coaches were out in full force at Carmel and Westfield for the Charlie Hughes Shootout. 101 high school teams competed with one another in a preview for the upcoming season. Several teams and players looked very impressive and caught the eye of scouts and coaches. Here are the 2023 forwards that caught my attention during the weekend.
Xavier Booker Xavier Booker 6'11" | PF Cathedral | 2023 State #4 Nation IN – 6’11” PF – Cathedral
Booker had every college coach in the area with eyes on him on Sunday afternoon, and he did not disappoint. At 6’11”, Booker has size and length that is nearly impossible to compete against. Also, despite his slender frame, he seemed to have no problem being physical with the bigger Jalen Washington Jalen Washington 6'10" | PF Gary Westside | 2022 State #32 Nation IN inside. He was outstanding against Washington on the defensive end of the floor and didn’t let anyone get anything easy. On offense, Booker can handle it extremely well and is very smooth for a big man. He can finish through contact and had a couple of nice moves on the break, including a jam in transition. Booker can also knock down his jump shot consistently. He and Hooks are the two best players in the class, and he is really going to have his choice of school when it comes down to it next year.
Jalen Hooks Jalen Hooks 6'6" | SF Warren Central | 2023 State #282 Nation IN – 6’7″ PF – Crispus Attucks
Hooks is a 6’7” forward who is no doubt one of the best two players in the junior class as he can do a little of everything. With his size and strength, he is a menace in the paint. He is a very good rim protector inside and rebounded it very well. This was probably also the best that I have ever seen Hooks shoot it from the outside. He was lights out from deep, and this addition to his game makes him an even tougher player to stop. Hooks already has seen several power five offers, and I would expect many more to come his way soon.
Grant Leeper Grant Leeper 6'7" | C Homestead | 2023 State IN – 6’6″ PF – Homestead
Leeper is a big post player inside who hasn’t been able to get as much playing time before this year due to the backlog of talent at Homestead. This year, he will be behind his brother, Andrew, but he should see a good amount of time. Leeper is very good on the offensive glass and will not hesitate to be physical inside. He also had a nice dunk in the lane. I still need to see him more before I can say definitively, but he had a good showing in this one.
Jeffery Pinkston Jeffery Pinkston 6'5" | SF Southport | 2023 State IN – 6’5″ SF- Tindley
Pinkston is kind of in-between a bigger 2-guard and a smaller wing. He can shoot it well from the outside and take it strong to the hole. He can be a little bit too hesitant on the offensive end at times, but he has the skill to play at the next level. Look for NAIA and Division 2 coaches to get involved with him.
JaQualon Roberts JaQualon Roberts 6'8" | PF Bloomington North | 2023 State IN – 6’8″ SF – Bloomington North
Roberts has grown another couple of inches and now comes in as a 6’8” wing. This combination of size and length makes him a very tough player to stop. He is a good rebounder and had a nice putback dunk off of an offensive rebound. He also loves to attack the rim and doesn’t shy away from contact. Roberts did struggle from the outside in this one, but he can usually stroke it from deep. Roberts has seen a ton of offers fly his way, and he should be a high-major basketball player when it’s all said and done.