College Coaches Take Note of the Bigs at Every Size, Skill, & Level
Bigs will always be at a premium for college coaches, and in the Absolute Basketball Fall League there were several bigs who stood out during week one of the event. In fact, there were enough bigs that we decided to give them their own space.
When taking a macro view of the Absolute Basketball Fall League, it is available to serve two purposes. First off it is a place for players to get into the swing of things for their upcoming high school season. The travel ball period is over and now is time to get back with some familiar faces, work out of some bad habits and find a groove.
Secondly, the Absolute Basketball Fall League is in place for college coaches to find players, and for players to be seen by college coaches. Dozens of coaches tuned in for week 1, both in person and via live stream.
This writing is looking at the second purpose of the Absolute Basketball Fall League, a guide of the big men, the valuable commodity all colleges are in search for.
Coaches, enjoy…
7’0” 2022 Christian Reeves (Concord, NC/Cannon School) - Team Cougars
Offers: South Florida
Reeves was a standout of week one, but not only that, it was his best basketball I’ve seen him play. Reeves has always been tall, long and fluid be he had a little pep in his step for his matchup against Jonas Aidoo. He posted hard, rebounded well and altered shots, all things you want your big to do. I am eager to keep a close eye on him in week two, see if this trend continues, but it was a very eye-opening showing to start things off.
7’0” 2021 Jonas Aidoo (Charlotte, NC/Liberty Heights) - Team Liberty
Offers: South Carolina, NC State, Marquette, Wake Forest, Providence, Alabama, St John’s, Georgia, Miami, VCU, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, Houston, Clemson, etc…
Aidoo is a premier shot blocker, one of the five best in the country for his 2021 class. He showcased that here and while finished with only six points, he did have 14 rebounds and 11 blocks. Aidoo’s stock has sky-rocketed over the last three months, he is a bonafide high major guy and someone who should see his stock continue to rise more.
6’7” 2022 Daniel Sanford (Charlotte, NC/Vance High)- Team ZBV
Offers: Tennessee, South Florida, Charlotte, etc...
You notice Sanford the second he steps on the floor. His shoulders are broad like an SEC defensive end with a 7’0” wingspan draping down from them. When he was on the floor Sanford showcased a motor and a willingness to rebound the ball. He is refining his bull in a china shop mentality into more fluidity in his game. At his best, he is a small ball big who can use his strength and length to defend up and down a line up, while rebounding.
6’7” 2021 Elijah Ormiston (Concord, NC/Cannon School) - Team Cougars
Ormiston is a big who does big guy things. He defends tough on the block, he rebounds, he sets screens, he makes his shots, just an overall tough guy who does winning things.
6’8” 2022 Luke Krawczyk (Charlotte, NC/Carmel Christian) - Team Carmel
What really stuck out about Krawczyk was his ability to rebound his area and his ability to throw outlet passes. Krawczyk is a strong and sturdy big who can make shot and finish around the basket. He is one of those unsung bigs who does the little things to make his team better.
6’8” 2021 Jordan Spraggins (Fort Mill, SC/York Prep) - Team York
Spraggins has a long and very fluid frame. He runs the floor well and he is able to get things done around the basket. With the ball in his hands, he can shoot with range and he finishes around the basket. It will be intriguing to see where his game goes as he continues to put on weight.
6’8” 2022 Elijah Gray (Charlotte, NC/Ardrey Kell High) - Team AKK
Offers: East Carolina, ODU, Tulsa, Cleveland St, Upstate, Elon
You really like to see players take ahold of their summer time and really elevate their games to a new level. Elijah Gray came out of his summer with high major schools looking hard in his direction. What is Gray, he is a mismatch with the ball in his hands. At his size, with his length, he can handle, shoot and pass from each level on the floor.
6’8” 2021 Peyton Gerald (Charlotte, NC/Ardrey Kell High) - Team AKK
Gerald is a lengthy, athletic, rim running big who effects the game around the basket. Defensively he is mobile and has some pop in the paint. Offensively he runs hard, sits in the dunker spots and tries to tear the rim off. A lot to like here.
6’9” 2021 Isaac Farah (Charlotte, NC/Liberty Heights) - Team Liberty
Offers: IUPUI
Farah is ridiculously skilled, whether it be pushing the break or spraying 28 foot jump shots, the lefty is able to do a lot of things with the ball in his hands. He can also score with his back to the basket and grab boards. While many will talk about his skill set, his ability to run, non-stop, and move his feet may be his most translatable attribute.
Committed Bigs
6’8” 2021 Ben Burnham (Charlotte, NC/Carmel Christian) - Team Carmel - Winthrop
