Top Forwards in the Class of 2016
Joshua J. Grine
We continue releasing our
Top Prospects Report listing the top players in each classification and position. Today, we take a look at the seniors on our list for the 2015-2016 season.
Top 5 Forwards
#1. Johnny McCants 2016 6'7 F Onate HS (Las Cruces, NM)
Johnny McCants is one of those special type of players that comes through New Mexico. The high-flying forward for the Knights is regarded as one of the best players in the state of New Mexico. McCants, could find himself in the 'wing category and likely will have to at the next level, he can shoot from the outside boards well on the defensive side and also times it well on rejecting shots.
#2. Caleb Wroten 2016 6'9 F Sandia HS (Albuquerque, NM)
Wrotens stock as fallen some (not much) with the Matadors struggling and not much coming from the Matadors camp. Wroten is still regarded as one of or the best back to the basket post players. Wroten is strong as on ox and knows how to use his body off the block. Can score well in the paint and dominates when he gets the ball.
#3. Teton Saltes 2016 6'6 F Valley HS (Albuquerque, NM)
Teton Saltes is another big body in the Albuquerque-Metro area that can dominate in or near the paint. He can hit the fifteen footer but is more effective in the paint. He could be a 20-10 type of player on any given night. Saltes has quickness and athleticism as well that could have this next level football player also a next level hoops player.
#4. Colton Lowley 2016 6'3 F Gallup HS (Gallup, NM)
Likely, more like McCants as he could be in the win category but when we seen Lowley he floated more around the high post. Lowely, has a better hoops instinct or IQ as he is one of the better shooters and ball handlers as well. He will need to be more consistent throughout the rest of the run to make the Bengals a threat to return to the state title game in 5A.
#5 Jake Flaming 2016 6'6 F Moriarty HS (Moriarty, NM)
Flaming's stock has fallen from the best freshman in the state a few years ago but we still consider him one of the better prospects in the state. Flaming is a perfect D2 basketball prospect, has great work ethic and is one of the more athletic posts on the list. He has a spring on the defensive side and was knocking down shots as a sophomore. Not much from the Moriarty camp, and with the decline in them as a playoff team he might be one of the best big man you won't see.
Best of the Rest
6. Dustin Gaddis 2016 6'6 F Sandia Prep (Albuquerque, NM)
7. Jay Arnold 2016 6'2 F Mayfield HS (Las Cruces, NM)
8. Bradley Hatten 2016 6'6 F Grants HS (Grants, NM)
9. Henry Hattis 2016 6'6 F Cleveland HS (Rio Rancho, NM)
10. Isaac Maldonado 2016 Cibola HS (Albuquerque, NM)
11. Simeon Moya 2016 6'2 F La Cueva (Albuquerque, NM)
12. Caleb Meyer-Hagen 2016 6'3 Hope Christian (Albuquerque, NM)
13. Alejandro Ruiz 2016 6'4 La Cueva (Albuquerque, NM)
14. Holt Shelly 2016 6'4 Cliff HS (Cliff, NM)
15. Thean Nelson 2016 F 6'6 Los Lunas HS (Los Lunas, NM)
15. Justin Houghtaling 2016 6'6 Artesia HS (Artesia, NM)
Grine on the List: Plenty of quality players in this group today and plenty could be listed in the top 5. A new name to the list that we liked recently is Jay Arnold who had a double-double dominating performance against El Paso. Gaddis of Sandia Prep has been on the scene for a few seasons and another prospect you have to like come March.
Others Released
