All In HoopFest: Standout 2019 Forwards
The All In HoopFest provided another opportunity for us to explore players and teams we didn’t watch enough in the spring. We were reminded that the class of 2019 is full of quality Division II, NAIA, and Division III prospects.
Tremaine Smith, 6’8” W/F, RGP Ohio Unity / Aiken
Smith, a freakishly long athlete with mobility and fluidity, earned his way onto the radar by showing flashes of perimeter ability in the OHSAA tournament. This weekend, he made his impact with toughness and power. Smith can still handle it a little bit, but he was a bucket within five feet of the rim. Smith posted up whoever and showed nice touch over the shoulder while dealing with a ton of contact.
Smith needs to get his grades up but told us he’s very interested in the prep school route after high school. He’s only been playing ball since junior high.
Garrett Powell, 6’6” F, Apex / Springboro
On back-to-back weekends, Powell has combined a strong upper body with the ability to push pace. He usually controls the defensive glass with power and likes to get out and run. His teammates immediately turn and run the floor when he secures the ball.
In the half court, Powell asserts himself physically on both ends. He attacked from the perimeter as opponents bounced off his strong frame. Powell has finishing ability on the drive and with his back to the basket.
In our opinion, this is a Division II prospect. Yet, he told us after their Saturday afternoon game that he was hearing exclusively from D-III programs. Now might be the time to make a play if you’re looking for a rebounding big with promising ball skills.
Jacob Drees, 6’6” W, Nova (Russell) / Hilliard Davidson
Drees is a really good basketball player. In the age of versatility and skill, this is your guy.
He remains a very capable ball-handler and shooter. But it was his toughness and defensive rebounding ability that really stood out on Saturday evening. Drees doesn’t have a prototypically athletic build but he was out-muscling opponents for tough rebounds and even blocking shots on the back-end of their defense.
Drees also made a super smart save to ice the game with under ten seconds left. With a lead, Nova was playing defense in a one-possession game when a loose ball was heading out of bounds underneath their basket. He leapt in the air, got one hand on it, and whipped it down to the opposite end of the court to waste an additional two to three seconds. The opposing team then had to inbound from the other side of the floor and didn’t get a quality shot up. Ball game.
Ibrahima Athie, 6’5” W/F, Shining Star – Mitchell / Deer Park
Athie is another versatile athlete who seems to be improving at the things that aren’t considered his stregnths. The athletic combo forward was hitting shots from the outside and getting defenders off-balanced with his handle. Although Athie wasn’t quite able to hit shots off the dribble or get all the way to the basket, his wiggle with the rock is promising. Athie is also very good at boxing out and getting rebounds. In talking to him after the game, he remains under-recruited.
CJ Napier, 6’4” W, Shining Star – Price / Bishop Fenwick
Napier is a powerful wing that continues to show playmaking ability in the lane. Last weekend, Napier impressed with euro steps and elusive finishes through traffic. Then on Sunday, he remained poised when he picked up his dribble near the paint and was able to deliver assists to cutters or shooters. We also liked his toughness as a rebounder. The lefty also makes smart reads as an off-ball defender, including jumping over from the opposite corner to the block to draw charges.