2024 Rankings Update: Top Shooting Forwards
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As we update our rankings, we look at a number of factors. While it’s always important to look at team success, when it comes to player rankings, you also have to look at individual success. When looking at the top…
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Continue ReadingAs we update our rankings, we look at a number of factors. While it’s always important to look at team success, when it comes to player rankings, you also have to look at individual success. When looking at the top shooting forwards in the 2024 class, one thing is certainly true: all of these players are very impactful. Here’s a look at those players.
Bender can really put the ball in the basket and she can do it at all levels. She has great shooting form and a quick release. She can knock down shots off of the dribble or catch, or hit on the move. Bender also has strong handles and can push the ball in transition. She makes great passes and has good floor vision. She constantly knows where her teammates are and gets them the ball in the right moments. She is a very solid all-around player that should have a big summer.
Biggs suffered an injury that would’ve kept most players out for the season, but not her. After tearing her ACL in July, Biggs was back on the court competing with her team by the end of January. Much like her recovery, she is a special player. She can be a big match-up nightmare because of her ability to score at all 3 levels and her ability to score in a variety of ways. She can do a little bit of everything, small or big. Expect Biggs to have a huge summer as she returns to full strength.
Freihofer plays for an extremely talented Cooper team and has still managed to be a huge part of her team’s success. She contributes in every possible way when she’s on the floor. Her stats from this season are a snapshot of her importance. She averaged 10.3 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 49.8% FG, 80.7% FT, and shot a whopping 48.5% from 3. Freihofer can score and create. She can make great passes and she can defend as well. If you don’t know her name yet, you certainly will soon.
Gardner had to miss most of the season with an injury, but she got to return to play in CAL’s final game of the season. Despite the fact that she was only cleared to play eight minutes in total, she certainly made the most of those eight minutes. Gardner scored 10 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and came up with a steal and assist. And she did that against a very talented team that made it to the regional championship game. That was just a small glimpse of what Gardner brings to the floor: a 3 level scorer, an excellent rebounder, a disruptive defender, and a great team player.
Highlights
Shropshire really deserves a lot of credit for the value she brings to the court. Franklin County graduated it’s top three scorers from last season and she stepped into the scoring role this year in seamless fashion. She led the Flyers in scoring at 10.6 PPG while grabbing 4.6 RPG as well. Shropshire has excellent length and she uses it so well on the defensive end of the floor, especially in getting blocks and steals. She also can use that length to finish at the rim on the other end of the floor. Additionally, Shropshire showed her ability to extend out, shooting over 35% from deep this season.
Highlights
Wimzie is a stat stuffer. It’s not odd to see her name in every single statistical category at the end of a game. While we have her listed as a shooting forward on here, she actually has a lot of point guard skills with the ball. She can handle and distribute very well. She can also create by drawing help defense and kicking to her teammates. Defensively, she can apply a lot of pressure and consistently comes up with steals and blocks. Wimzie doesn’t force much and is a really solid player overall.
Palmer is a very versatile player. While she can certainly score around the basket (and has some great moves to help her score efficiently), she can also step out and make stuff happen from anywhere on the floor. She has strong handles and is constantly looking to get her teammates involved. Palmer has a quick and high release on her shot, so she can get shots off quickly and with a defender running at her. She also uses her length to get steals and deflections defensively. Palmer is another player you’re certainly going to hear about a lot throughout the next year.