Brian Flinn:
Future150 National Recruiting Analyst. Covering high school basketball nationally.
Nashville, TN (Future150) -- With high school seasons winding down across the country and teams starting their playoff runs, AAU season is right around the corner. Over the next few weeks Future150 will be taking a closer look at some players who appear to be peaking at the right time and are seemingly poised for a big spring. Today, we are taking a look at the small forward group. Some of these players may be familiar names, while others are just beginning to take off
Ben Simmons- Montverde (FL): It may seem odd that the #1 ranked player at his position would be put on a “Stock Up” list, but this is more about Simmons making a push toward the #1 spot overall. The multi-faceted wing may be able to play four positions but appears to be best suited at the three. He is an elite level player who has been rising since coming to the states. Don’t be surprised if he is the top player in the class come next spring.
Ray Smith- Las Vegas (NV): The biggest riser on this list, Smith’s potential is nearly limitless. He reminds Future150 a bit of Devin Robinson in the sense that he is a big wing prospect who has begun to put it all together and looks poised to make a drastic rise and end up toward the top of this class.
Aaron Falzon- Northfield Mount Hermon (MA): Falzon is one of the top wing shooters in the country and has become more consistent with his performances, making him one of the most sought after wings this season. The Expressions Elite forward will be one of the go-to guys for his squad on the AAU circuit and could really see his stock take off as a result.
Tommy Burton- St. Jude (AL): Burton is one of the more slept on forwards in the class and has helped lead St. Jude to an impressive season. The Future150 Alum has always had considerable potential and is starting to tap into it. At 6-foot-8 he has great size for his position and his perimeter game has improved leaps and bounds in the past few months.
Markis McDuffie- St. Anthony (NJ): McDuffie is a talented wing that has really become a leader for one of the country’s premier HS programs. He is an athletic forward that is long and plays hard on both ends of the floor. He is especially dangerous when attacking the rim off the bounce. The Sports U product has just begun to scratch the surface of his potential and is becoming an absolute matchup nightmare.
Marquez Letcher-Ellis- Genesis Academy (VA): He transferred from Yates (TX) to the 2nd year Virginia prep school and instantly became one of their best players. He is a hard-nosed forward who goes 100% on both ends of the floor. While his shooting is still improving, he rebounds and defends incredibly well. The future is bright for the former Houston-area product.
Jeromy Rodriguez- Pope John XXIII (NJ): Rodriguez came to the U.S. this fall and has burst onto the scene in the Northeast. He is a bit like Letcher-Ellis in that he rebounds the ball, defends, and is a hard-nosed player. He can get to the rim and is hard to account for given his versatility. While it remains to be seen what AAU team he will suit up with, Rodriguez could come out of this spring as one of the most talked about players in the country.
Roman Davis- Windward (CA): Davis has burst onto the scene this season and holds a couple high-major offers. The California product is being courted by Arizona State, Boston College, and Vanderbilt currently and more programs will jump in after seeing him play this spring. He is able to score the rock and is a good rebounder for his position as well.
Comments:
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