2016 Post Player Stock Risers
Here we break down the prospects at power forward and center who have elevated their stock this high school season. PF Nick Rakocevic (St. Joseph’s) Rakocevic has been a whole different player than the one saw on the travel…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingHere we break down the prospects at power forward and center who have elevated their stock this high school season.
PF Nick Rakocevic (St. Joseph’s)
Rakocevic has been a whole different player than the one saw on the travel team circuit. The 6’11” post has made significant strides in a multitude of areas. First is his demeanor as he is much more under control of his emotions not getting too high or low throughout games. He is encouraging and the clear leader of his team. The top uncommitted senior in the state has played with a greatly improved motor. He runs the floor consistently, is active on both ends, and engaged every possession. Rakocevic makes quick moves in the post and is doing damage there not drifting to the perimeter. He dominates on the interior by using the glass to grab rebounds at a high rate and bank shots in off the backboard. Plus shot blocking presence with his length and mobility. High major prospect.
PF Lorenzo Edwards (Lake Forest)
At 6’7” this Lake Forest power forward has a lot of intriguing tools. His strength allows him to play physical around the hoop while he maintains a feel for scoring on the block. Edwards can score with his back to the basket, facing up, and even hitting a mid-range jumper on occasion. He backs his man in getting deep position and then scores through them. Defensively he is a sound post defender and clears the glass at a high rate. Edwards is a solid mid-major to low-major option.
PF Liddell Davis (Proviso West)
Davis is a big bodied 6’7” post that has a good feel around the hoop. He has soft hands in the paint and knows how to position his body to score on the block sealing and finishing with strength inside. Davis shoots a high percentage on his shot attempts. Plus rebounder that snatches them with his big hands. Worth consideration at the D2 level and would be phenomenal get at the D3/NAIA/JUCO level.
PF Ammar Becar (Niles Notre Dame)
Niles Notre Dame’s 6’6” senior power forward is one of the most productive high school players in the state of Illinois. Becar has a physical body and is a below the rim big, but his athleticism has shown glimpses of improvement since we saw him in July. The first aspect that stands out with Becar is a never ending motor! He plays harder than any opponent he is on the floor with. He is scrappy and has a nose for the basketball. The senior is a plus jump shooter from mid-range. Becar sets his man up creating space and hits fadeaways from 15-18 feet. Uses hesitation and fakes on the interior to get the defense off balance scoring inside with toughness and getting to the free throw line. Solid rebounder for being undersized. Outstanding small college prospect.
C Tawone Keith (Farragut)
The big bodied post has actually slimmed down over the last year and it has helped the 6’8” senior to be a more productive rebounder. He dominated when we saw him on the boards consistently boxing out and snatching the rebounds with his huge hands. He had several offensive rebound put backs. Keith is a high volume rebounder that takes up space on the interior. Offensively he isn’t really a drop the ball in the post and make a move guy as he is pretty raw there, but he definitely can score on dump off passes and quick dishes inside from his guards as he has soft hands. With the lack of bigs in the state he should be under consideration at the D2 level and would be a great D3, NAIA, or JUCO candidate.
PF Mark Smith (Riverside Brookfield)
Riverside Brookfield senior post Mark Smith had the best performance we have seen out of him in four years on the big stage at the Chicago Elite Classic. The 6’7” center used to be very long, thin, and didn’t have much coordination around the hoop. That has changed. He has gotten significantly stronger and his ability to score in the paint has improved tremendously. Smith did a great job carving out space and sealing on the interior for scores. He uses the glass well and showed he could finish with both hands. Plus offensive rebounder that knows how to use his length to high point rebounds. Great to see the improvement out of the Riverside Brookfield post. Needs to work on free throw shooting. Committed to Trinity International University.