Grind Region Finals: 16U Forwards to Watch
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The Prep Hoops Circuit came to a conclusion this past weekend at the Grind Region Finals in Dallas. Some of the best grassroots programs from a variety of states took part in the event to see who would be crowned…
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Continue ReadingThe Prep Hoops Circuit came to a conclusion this past weekend at the Grind Region Finals in Dallas. Some of the best grassroots programs from a variety of states took part in the event to see who would be crowned Grind Region champions, with 68 teams competing in the 16U division. I was able to see a bunch of them in action, and will be highlighting standout prospects from the tournament throughout the week.
With that in mind, here are some of the best forwards from the 16U division:
Nikk Williams | 2023 | 6’5’’ Small Forward | Top Achievers Elite 2023 | Plano Senior HS – Williams is a strong-bodied versatile point forward. He operated as his teams’ primary ball handler when I saw him, which gave him the opportunity to showcase his decision making and playmaking. The Plano Senior forward played with good pace and continuously got his teammates good looks from the field, finding them in their favorite spots for assists on numerous occasions. Beyond that, he rebounded well and really locked in when defending in the paint as well as on the perimeter. This is a guy with a lot of upside due to his size and skillset.
Jarreth Ingram Jarreth Ingram 6'4" | SF Noah | 2023 State OK | 2023 | 6’6’’ Small Forward | Tulsa Hawks 2023 | Tulsa NOAH Home School – Ingram is a bouncy prospect with good athleticism. When I saw him on Saturday, he wanted to play above the rim every chance he got, punching a two-handed dunk in transition and almost finishing an emphatic lob shortly after. He elevates extremely well as rebounder too, going up to snag boards at the defensive end and battling on the glass throughout a tough-fought loss to a talented Rogue team. He finished that matchup with 12 points.
Carter Hjelmstad Carter Hjelmstad 6'5" | SF Edmond Memorial | 2023 State OK | 2023 | 6’5’’ Small Forward | Rogue 2023 | Edmond Memorial HS – Hjelmstad is a two-way wing who really showed off his willingness to get physical on Saturday. He converted some tough finishes when attacking of the dribble. The 2023 prospect also showed that he is capable of hitting a three from the catch when given some space to shoot. Defensively, Hjelmstad was outstanding, guarding multiple positions and making it difficult for anyone he matched up against. There is a lot to like about his game and style of play. He recorded a 10-point, eight-rebound game on Saturday evening to help his team advance to the quarterfinals.
Derrick Kembe | 2023 | 6’3’’ Power Forward | Lubbock Matadors 2023 | Lubbock Coronado HS – Despite being at a size disadvantage in the post when I saw him on the second day of the tournament, Kembe won the matchup thanks to his willingness to bang inside. He was so physical, relentlessly battling on the offensive glass and finishing through contact for three-point play opportunities. Furthermore, he hustles hard and runs the floor in transition. His footwork down low was solid as well.
Simon Kibbee Simon Kibbee 6'8" | PF Grandview | 2023 State CO | 2023 | 6’7’’ Power Forward | Colorado Chaos 2023 Elite | Grandview HS – Kibbee can provide a team with a lot of different things. His rim protection and rebounding were on full display, using every bit of his height and length to alter shots and secure boards on defense. At the other end, the 6-foot-7-inch big man exhibited that he can knock down spot up triples, but was at his best when rolling to the basket and finishing lobs with finesse. His ability to guide the ball into the basket while in midair time after time was incredible. He ended his Sunday morning contest with 15 points.
Jederris Carr | 2023 | 6’4’’ Power Forward | Dallas Showtyme 2023 Rise | Mesquite HS – Carr looked like a freight train whenever he got a full head of steam. By the end of his late afternoon game on Saturday, defenders were getting out of the way whenever he got downhill and attacked the basket. He was also excellent on the block, bullying opponents while they bounced off him for gimme buckets in the paint. Additionally, the Mesquite forward buried a free-throw line jumper after utilizing a jab step, forcing defenders to play him straight up. His strength coupled with his thick frame and high motor was a lot to deal with for opposing teams.
Will Pryor | 2023 | 6’5’’ Power Forward | State 38 Basketball 2023 Elite | Rocky Mountain HS – Pryor’s playmaking out of the post was brilliant. He had great vision and consistently found open shooters when the defense collapsed on him down low. As a scorer, the Rocky Mountain forward was so good when it came to using his size to seal off defenders, and he displayed good strength when backing them down to get himself a good look from close range. Furthermore, he smartly took advantage of slower bigs by taking them off the dribble.