Prospect Rankings Update: 2019 Top Versatile Forwards
There are 121 total players included in our 2019 Prospect Rankings, all of which will be included exactly once in our week-long series, where we will segment analysis by player speciality. Throughout the entire week, you can expect articles to include a list of 10-20 players who fit a theme, with five or more individual break-downs.
In this particular article, we’re combining stretch-fours and combo forwards.
#2 Alonzo Gaffney
Gaffney has made a full transition from power forward to combo forward over the past year. Given his 6’9” height, Gaffney’s high-release jump shot is indefensible. As Gaffney’s balance as a ball-handler improves, he could challenge for the #1 spot in our 2019 rankings.
An offer from Kansas in July speaks to how talented of a prospect Gaffney is. The incoming transfer to Garfield Heights also has offers from Cincinnati, Ohio State, Louisville, Penn State, Tulane, West Virginia, Marshall, Florida, Iowa, and Georgetown.
#3 Brison Waller
Waller’s versatility at the forward spot is prevalent on defense. His mobility and length will allow him to defend pretty much every spot at this level of basketball. The Garfield Heights 6’9” wing/forward also excelled as a help-side rim protector for Ohio Basketball Club in July.
Youngstown State, Kansas State, and Buffalo, were added to Waller’s offer-sheet this spring/summer.
#5 Ben Roderick
Roderick jumped from #10 to #5 in the rankings after an extremely effective spring/summer with OH-NOVA (Russell). His three-level scoring ability combined with the ability to matchup with positions 2-4 on defense is what distinguished him from the other prospects in the 5-20 range in our rankings.
Akron and Stony Brook offered Roderick this spring/summer.
#7 Javin Etzler
At 6’7”, it will be interesting to see if Etzler can become a true perimeter defender in college. Right now, his offensive game can fit into a lot of systems because of his skills. However, he may need to defend power forwards at the Division I level.
Regardless, he emerged onto the scene with a stand-out performance at Peach Jam with Indy Heat 2019. Etzler holds offers from Duquesne and Miami (OH).
#15 Tanner Holden
#24 Sam Towns
After not receiving many minutes as a sophomore for Dayton Springfield, Towns jumped onto the scene with Pro Bound, going from unranked to top 25 in the class. Towns can shoot, penetrate, dribble, and showed emotional leadership.
We expect Towns to grab low-major offers a plenty during next grassroots season, with potentially a mid-major or two entering the picture also.
#34 Coleton Landis
Landis has the strength and frame of an interior scorer. While the Pickerington Central 6’6” big can do his thing in the paint, his pick-and-pop ability grabbed our attention this spring. This added dimension to Landis’ game could attract D-I suitors.
#47 Noah Pack
When we talked to Pack this summer, his recruitment consisted of interest from one NAIA school. While that’s probably the appropriate level of college basketball for him, Pack’s talent deserves a bit more attention. Pack can dribble, pass, rebound, and defend. While his jump shot could improve, he’s a 6’7” athletic forward that affects the game otherwise already.
#49 Evan Bainbridge
We were impressed this summer with Bainbridge’s ability as a face-up four. He’s a play-maker from the elbow who could see scholarship options open up when he adds some weight to his frame.
#51 Chris Boyle
#53 Jacob Drees
We mostly got a sense for Drees as a rebounder and interior player this spring/summer with OH-NOVA (Russell). However, in talking to Drees, we were informed that Hilliard Davidson will rely on him to playmaking ability as a ball-handler next season. As he shows improvement in that area, Drees could climb the charts.
#72 Benjamin James
We nearly included James in a hybrid or defensive article for later in the week. Yet, we think James could play center at a small college because of his strength and/or defend perimeter wings at times. Offensively, James has tunnel-vision as a driver, focused on finishing through the defense. He brings an edge to a team.