Premier Shootout: Saturday Standout Forwards 16U/15U
In this article:
The strength of the forward spot was on full display at the Premier Shootout this weekend. Top to bottom, from the 17U to the 15U, there were skilled big men from stretch forwards to rim runners, and paint beasts. This…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe strength of the forward spot was on full display at the Premier Shootout this weekend. Top to bottom, from the 17U to the 15U, there were skilled big men from stretch forwards to rim runners, and paint beasts. This article focuses on the standouts from the younger divisions, 16U and 15U.
Payton Stewart Payton Stewart 6'7" | PF Kelso | 2024 State WA (2024) 6’5 PF | Kelso/WA | PNW Sixers 16U
In his first game of the weekend, Stewart’s physicality was unmatched. He’s big, strong, and fast, and his aggression played out on both sides of the ball. There were a few times he got up to smack shots off the backboard and his effort to run the floor hard in transition was superb. He’s a downhill force and actually quicker than I’d thought he would be, considering how thick and strong he is. He showed some decent handles too, beating his man one-on-one a few times on the perimeter and getting to the hole. Stewart is a two-way paint beast but seems to be expanding his game a bit to create more plays for himself and become a more reliable scorer.
Brady Ackerman (2025) 6’3 PF | Nooksack Valley/WA | Hoop Vision 15U
Ackerman was another player finding his rhythm inside. He’s a patient attacker with his back to the basket and feels opponents out well. Good on either side of the basket, Ackerman can hit with the primary or the off-hand and has great footwork to turn and bump defenders off with his wide frame. The most impressive part of his attack was the turnaround jumper. Inside of six to seven feet, he was cash. He has good hands, good feet, and uses his strength and patience to wear down or outwait overly aggressive defenders.
Langston Ford (pictured – 2024) 6’7 SF | Elite Prep/WA | Elite 16 UA
One of the more physically impressive players of the day, Ford is a bouncy forward with eyes for the rim. He busts it out in transition hoping for a chance to assault the rim, and likewise in defensive transition is always lurking to get a chase-down block. When the game slows down, Ford uses good power dribbles and drop steps to get around defenders before rising up where the defense can’t catch him. He displayed a strong will to finish plays, fighting for boards and getting putbacks even when outnumbered underneath.
Colton Wells (2025) PF 6’5 | Freeman/WA | Built4Ball 15U
Wells is a long 6’5 and it became readily apparent when he blocked a shot on an opposing big by standing straight up, without leaving the floor. He has the makeup of a defensive anchor inside and could score enough to be a consistent double-double threat. He gets good positioning on both sides of the ball and when he gets the ball at the rim, it’s basically a sure thing. Wells also has a quick second jump which allowed him to clean up some of his own misses this weekend and give a little extra fight on the glass.
Ian Hillman (2024) SG 6’5 | Moscow/ID | Hooptown Elite 16U
Hillman went off on Saturday against Built4Ball, knocking down five out of five three-point attempts. His shot is a sight to see; feet set, wrist snaps, and a high arc that kisses the bottom of the net. He was feeling it from distance but avoided the trap of hanging out around the arc, instead showing some good rolls off of picks to find dead zones in the defense and make himself available for the pass. He continually made the right plays, passing up a contested but decent layup on a fast break to find the trail for a wide-open bunny.
Darrell Gipson Darrell Gipson 6'5" | SF Timberline | 2024 State WA (2024) SF 6’4 | Timberline/WA | Team Stuck 16U
This guy is a physical forward who brings exceptional versatility to the position. He likes to operate from the post/short corner/mid-range areas, can face up and work or go with his back to the basket. He’s tough to guard because he has the strength to back you down but also the quickness and dribbling skills to beat you off the bounce. Add to that a reliable jumper from mid-range and it’s no wonder he’s such a difficult matchup. Gipson is good on the boards, passes out of pressure well, and is quick to find outlets and get the ball up after grabbing a defensive board.
Kase Wynott Kase Wynott 6'6" | SF Lapwai | 2024 State ID (#3PHID 2024) SF 6’4 | Lapwai/ID | Hooptown Elite 16U
Wynott was often too big, too strong, and with his easy springs, nearing unstoppable inside. With his back to the basket he used spins and drop steps to get close enough to the rim where he finished with relative ease. He had some of the best bounce over the weekend and used it to go over and through defenders around the basket, converting a few and-ones in the process. Aside from having his way inside, Wynott displayed a reliable jumper from distance with beautiful ball rotation. Of course, if you ask the kids, he’s known for his jump-out-of-the-gym ups and had more than a couple of dunks and alley-oops over the weekend too.