Class of 2023: High Ceiling Forwards

<span data-preserver-spaces="true">After highlighting some guards with a high ceiling, It’s only right I talk about some forwards with a high ceiling. I have four players in mind with this list who can pop in their last season and beyond. The players listed are in no particular order.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="264946" first="Kylie" last="Wittnebel"]-6’1 F-Beaver Dam</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">I’ve seen Wittnebel play three times now, and she is a next-level caliber player. She has a wide range of where she could end up, but here’s why she can pop as a senior. For one, when Beaver Dam’s shots aren’t falling, the Golden Beaver tends to be in a good position for offensive rebounds. When she does get offensive rebounds, Wittnebel is one of the better players I’ve seen finishing in traffic. I’m trying to drill home that Wittnebel could score 14 points solely from her offensive rebounding. My favorite aspect of Beaver Dam’s game is the combination of Wilke and Wittnebel when Beaver Dam plays high-low. Both Wilke and Wittnebel are great high post passers, and watching those two link up is art. </span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="264942" first="Jorey" last="Buwalda"]-6’0 F-Randolph</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Saying that Buwalda could pop next season feels like it disregards what she’s done this season, but I assure you she has another level. The Randolph forward has been the crucial piece in the undefeated Rockets season thus far. Buwalda strikes me as a player who is constantly getting better. If Buwalda shoots the ball well over the summer and returns to Randolph as an improved shooter, she is another level of prospect. I think it’s well within the realm of possibility that Buwalda improves on her already impressive 21 point and 9.4 rebound averages this season.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="156055" first="Mara" last="Rieder"]-6’0 F-Menasha</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">Rieder is a unique player. The junior plays as a guard with the ball in her hands. Away from the ball, Rieder plays as a forward. If you saw her attack the basket from the perimeter, you’d think that she’s a big guard. When you see Rieder used off the ball, it’s usually as a screener or posting up a defender. Rieder isn’t a shooter, but she has shown some touch from the free-throw line. I think the Menasha junior is an oddball of a prospect, but I love oddballs. The versatility that Rieder has to fit into different offenses excites me.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="156072" first="Allison" last="Hampel"]-6’0 F-Greenfield</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The film that Hampel has is some of the most fun stuff I’ve seen. Hampel is a great passer, and if she sees a home run pass off of a defensive rebound, she’s throwing it like a quarterback. The Huslin’ Hawk is a fighter who views every loose ball as hers. Where she can improve to pop as a senior is around the basket. Hampel is already good at scoring around the basket, but I think the junior can get even better. Right now, she’s shooting 54% from the field. I think Hampel could improve that to around 60%. If she can get there, two things happen. For one, she is likely one of the most dominant forwards in Wisconsin, and two, Greenfield becomes a team that’s nearly impossible to defend.</span>