Five 2023 Forwards to Watch
Size is always at a premium and these bigs can do a lot more than just take up space. Here’s a list of five forwards from the 2023 class that have already proven to be tireless contributors but still have…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingSize is always at a premium and these bigs can do a lot more than just take up space. Here’s a list of five forwards from the 2023 class that have already proven to be tireless contributors but still have another year to grow. Do you want big guys that work hard? Check out this quintet of players.
Jaden Radke 6’3 F Okanogan
Radke is part of a trio of tall, talented guys for Okanogan. Even though he’s the smallest, he plays the toughest. He’s a tireless worker inside, hunting for lanes to get his shot up. It seems like he seeks out contact whenever he can and is one of the more effective players I’ve seen at keeping defenders on his hip when driving to the hoop. He can hold defenders at bay with his strength and plays through the contact to consistently finish with a soft touch in the paint.
Maverick Sanders 6’5 F Mt. Spokane
Sanders is a solid player with the ball who uses his size and strength to control the pace from inside out. He’s got strong hands on the ball when defenses try to pressure him, and uses strong step-throughs to find passing lanes and work it back out to open shooters. He’s a big-time rebounder, once he grabs it, it’s his. Sanders also has great hustle and won’t camp inside on defense like some bigs. He’s a full-range defender that will work from the block to chase down open shooters on the perimeter.
Tate Smith 6’6 F Issaquah
When Smith is on the floor he’s constantly bouncing, ready on his toes to get involved. He does a little bit of everything; strong finishes off of the dribble, disrupting passing lanes, and guarding bigger guys in the post. He’s not going to give you 15-20 ppg but he fights in every phase and is a capable scorer. Smith is also a sneaky player, if that can be said for someone 6’6. He has a way of getting lost by defenses which frees him up to crash the boards or duck inside for an easy two. He has the potential to be an “uber-glue guy,” doing enough to keep his team even keel.
Chapel Smith 6’6 F Mt. Spokane
Smith brings a lot of energy to the defensive attack. He’s a long forward who has quick reactions and good feet that get him into passing lanes. He also gets tips by making himself big on defense, stopping smaller players from thinking they can lob one over the top of him. He’s another Wildcat that is aggressive on the glass. Even though he has a good stroke from the outside, he puts a lot of focus into the other phases of the game because that’s where his team needs him.
Miles Heide Miles Heide 6'7" | C Mount Si | 2023 State #274 Nation WA 6’9 F Mt. Si
At a lot of other programs Heide would be putting up monstrous numbers. Still, he’s averaging 15 points, 11 rebounds, and nearly 2.5 blocks per game. He’s got great hands, catching just about every pass that comes to him, and has a soft touch at the cup. He uses his size well, taking up space on screens and moving guys around inside to get great positioning, especially for second-chance points. One thing that stands out with Heide is his calm demeanor with the ball in the paint. It takes a confident and calculated big man to operate like that, and Heide is seemingly never hurried.