PGH Midwest Extravaganza: Bigs That Showed Promise (17U)

The all-around game play that was shown off this weekend was impressive. From the 1 position all the way to the 5, there was no shortage of action on the court for this Memorial Day weekend. Below I’m going to let you know about some players to watch moving forward at the 4 and 5 position. These players were consist all weekend long while helping their teams to an overall successful weekend, enjoy.

Des McGruder (5’11) (2024) – Phills Sports Academy 2024

Des McGruder was doing everything you’d want from your big near the basket this weekend. She rebounded at a high rate on both sides of the floor, scored efficiently near the hoop, and protected the rim with her life. I didn’t have a chance to watch all of the games this team played with weekend but the games I did watch, she was a force on the inside and a big difference maker in the outcome of those contests. Keep an eye on McGruder, she could play a 4 position depending on a programs offense when looking toward the future at the college level.

Carson Arthalony (6’3) (2025) – 25 Eight Mentality 2024

Carson Arthalony stands out because of her size but she is much, much more than that as a player. Arthalony is playing up and doing more then holding her own at the 17U level. All weekend long she showed off her quickness moving side-to-side defensively, her coordination in the post with her back to the basket, and her ability to screen and spread the floor out on the perimeter. Other than just being tall, Arthalony has good muscle mass to go along with her height, making it a real issue for defenses without a true big to match. There is a lot of promise here with this one. She is going to be making a college coach very happy in the near future.

Olivia Schuster (6’0) (2027) – Lincoln Basketball Elite 2024

Olivia Schuster is an 8th grader playing up for a 17U team and she is seeing some positive results. Schuster is young in her game and you can see that just by watching. When looking at her game now compared to everyone around her at this 17U level she has the advantage of youth. This experience that she is receiving now is going to help her make big strides over her first few seasons on a high school, varsity floor. With that being said, she is playing well. She contributed in each game for her team this weekend and was a difference maker in each contest because of how she well used her size near the basket. Going forward keep an eye on Schuster. She could turn into something really incredible over the next few seasons, especially if she grows more.

Hayven Harden Hayven Harden 5'11" | SF Downers Grove South | 2025 State IL (5’11) (2025) – Illinois Game Time 2024

Hayven Harden Hayven Harden 5'11" | SF Downers Grove South | 2025 State IL is a promising young athlete who has a lot of skill in her bag when it comes to the game of basketball. Harden, a 5’11 forward, usually plays the big position for her Illinois Game Time 2024 team and she does it well. She is lengthy with some good bounce so on defense she excels against most that are trying to test her. She has the ability to guard the 2-5 because of her speed moving up and down the floor. Harden is playing up on this team and I can see why. At times she is the reason why this group is fired up and wins games. I’m excited to see what she can do during this summer in high-school summer league after putting together quite the spring.

Talya Tillman Talya Tillman 5'11" | SF Kenwood | 2024 State IL (6’1) (2024) – Chicago Hoops Express 2024 (1)

I mentioned Talya Tillman Talya Tillman 5'11" | SF Kenwood | 2024 State IL yesterday as one of the top performers of the day that stood out to me. Well Tillman stayed efficient all weekend, rebounded like a monster, and showed off that she could definitely bring some positives to a college program out there one day in the near future. Her mix of size, hand-eye coordination, and touch is all there. Next all she needs is to work on her base a little bit more along with footwork and she is going to be a weapon on offense. Not to mention that she is a solid rim protector against smaller bigs near the hoops already. I saw a lot of promising forwards and centers this weekend, Tillman included.