High Rising Forwards From The Summer
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Sylas Williams Sylas Williams 6'6" | SF Jackson | 2023 State WA , 6’6, Forward/Post, Jackson, C/O 2023 There were very few guys who performed up to Williams’ level this summer. The multi-faceted big man showed the whole bag as…
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Continue ReadingSylas Williams Sylas Williams 6'6" | SF Jackson | 2023 State WA , 6’6, Forward/Post, Jackson, C/O 2023
There were very few guys who performed up to Williams’ level this summer. The multi-faceted big man showed the whole bag as he ran the show for North City AAU. The first thing that stands out is the rebounding ability and high motor, Sylas is a hound on the glass and usually finds himself with double-digit board numbers off effort alone. Offensively, he showed all the tools that should help him garner some offers over the course of his senior season. In the post, he has a variety of twisting and twirling moves he utilizes, throwing defenders off balance at the basket. He can locate cutting teammates out of the mid-post, step out in the deep mid range and behind the 3-point line and knock down jumpers. Coming off a stellar junior year for Jackson (18 ppg, 14 rpg), the sky is the limit for him to build even higher.
Ryan Gallagher Ryan Gallagher 6'4" | SG Liberty | 2023 State WA , 6’4, Forward/Guard, Liberty (Renton), C/O 2023
After several big performances over the summer, Gallagher really established himself one of the best players in the KingCo conference. He went off in the month of June, recording 29.4 points a game to along with 7 rebounds during the Curtis summer league. At 6-foot-4, he is more of a natural guard but he is a player who can slide into either forward spot if need be, and that’s why he makes the list. Ryan can score the ball in a combination of ways. Off the dribble, he is a lot quicker than he looks. All he needs is a small window of room and he can get himself in the lane to finish in the paint over the trees. He has a clean pullup jumper and is an underrated shooter from deep and in the 15+ foot range. Gallagher is set for a major leap in stock next season and is the main guy for Liberty, after graduating standout guards Peyton Nordland and Nathan Visdal.
Bennett Olujic Bennett Olujic 6'7" | SF Mount Si | 2023 State WA , 6’7, Forward, Mount Si, C/O 2023
Olujic showed off a bunch of his traits over a busy summer schedule with BDH Elite. The 6-foot-7 four-man has a wide skill set for his size. He’s a reliable interior scorer, strong post defender, and his jumper seems to keep getting better, a part of his game that he didn’t showcase much of during his junior year at Eastside Catholic. He’s a switchable plug-in guy at the wing spot and at the five if needed. His play against top talent at the AAU circuits helped him towards a pair of Division-III college offers from Carthage (Wisconsin) and the University of Puget Sound. He’ll have an ample opportunity to rack up more after joining a re-loaded Mount Si team, which will be poised for a deep postseason run in the 22-23′ high school season.
Jeremiah Wright Jeremiah Wright 6'6" | PF Lynden Christian | 2024 State WA , 6’6, Forward, Lynden Christian, C/O 2024
There aren’t many 2024 forwards in the state with the physical profile of Wright. Standing 6’6, the soon-to-be junior from Whatcom County is a rock solid 200 pounds and he uses his frame to his advantage. Jeremiah is great at running the floor and it was evident during the summer, running with Seattle Rotary on the EYBL circuit. He’s a fighter on the glass, and a superb finisher on the block and he’s a matchup problem for most squads on either end of the floor. He pops out as an extreme athlete as well. He’s primed for an uptick in minutes with Lynden Christian next season after coming off the bench for most of the year as the Lyncs collected the 1A state title.
Vaughn Weems Vaughn Weems 6'5" | SF Federal Way | 2023 State WA , 6’4, Forward/Wing, Federal Way, C/O 2023
Weems is as bouncy and athletic of a forward as they come. He’s someone that defenses have to be aware of a baseline runner who finishes above the rim with his hops. He’s incredibly strong and mobile defensively and does a great job at staying in front on that end. He can swoop in on the offensive glass and convert the put back finish in one motion and is one of the players every guard wants to get in the open floor with. He’s outstanding on the break as the trailer and he fills the gaps well, getting to spots that make him most effective. The incoming senior has a high upside and is someone to keep tabs on throughout the high school campaign.
Andreas Engholm Andreas Engholm 6'8" | PF Olympia | 2023 State WA , 6’8, Forward, Olympia, C/O 2023
There is so much to like about the highly-talented forward from the southern section of I-5. He put together an impressive summer as Roots Academy dominated a lot of competition in the Hustle Region and he was one of the key pieces alongside star PG and fellow Olympia Bear Parker Gerritts. At 6’8, he can put the ball on the floor and drive. He’s deadly in the mid range from from the elbows, and has the range from 3. He’s the ultimate clean-up guy too, feasting on second chance opportunities. Olympia is going to be in the running for the 4A title next season, and he’ll have a chance at building off a junior season where he averaged 15 points and 7 boards a night.