Oklahoma's top high school boys basketball players: Meet the state's best small forwards

By Nate Aker

We’re taking a position-by-position look at some of the top players in Oklahoma high school boys basketball. 

Earlier, we focused on point guards and shooting guards. Our third list focuses on wing small forwards, which will be followed by post players.

There are hundreds of standout boys basketball players in Oklahoma, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive. Use the comments section to discuss the other small forwards worthy of fans’ attention in 2021-22. 

In no particular order:

Anthony Allen, 6-4, Sr., Broken Arrow

A true slashing scorer, Allen is a highflyer who will dunk on an opponent when given the opportunity. His jumping ability makes him a force on the defensive side as well, swatting shots. Allen - who recently committed to Northeastern State - won the MVP in the Shawnee Invitational with 32 points per game. In the championship game against Choctaw, Allen scored 31 to help the Tigers win, 55-48.

Ben Averitt, 6-5, Sr., Jenks

Averitt’s offensive skill set is diverse, and he is also an excellent passer. Averitt posted a double-double with 24 points and 13 rebounds in a 56-52 victory against Bartlesville on Feb. 18. Averitt recently reached the 1,000-point milestone for his high school career.

Gabriel Battles, 6-5, Sr., Morrison

Alongside his 3-point shot, the left-hander goes up with purpose, slamming the ball in many times he’s on the fast break. In a Jan. 22 matchup against 4A Cleveland, Battles scored 34 points, grabbed six rebounds and had five assists.

Brady Brister, 6-5, Sr., Kingston

Brister is consistent in knocking down threes, but his pull-up jumper is worth noting as well. He scored 20 points, as well as getting eight rebounds and two assists in a 63-47 win against Prague in the first round of regionals on Feb. 26.

Trashaun Combs-Pierce, 6-6, So., Norman

At 6-6, Combs-Pierce can rise above the rim for a slam and also hit the 3-pointer. With his length, Combs-Pierce is a good defender, but his potential is unlimited in the class of 2024. In a 57-47 victory against Yukon on Feb. 12, Combs-Pierce posted 16 points along with picking up five rebounds.

Connor Dow, 6-6, Jr., Broken Arrow

Dow is simply a lights-out shooter. In the last contest of Broken Arrow’s regular season, Dow led the Tigers to a 89-49 victory against Tulsa Union. Dow knocked down five 3-pointers through one quarter and finished the game with a career-high 29 points. "I was feeling really good after that first quarter," Dow told the Tulsa World’s Kelly Hines after his 29-point performance. "Whenever I get hot, it just feeds my confidence and I keep shooting."

Robert Gambill, 6-6, Sr., Choctaw

A commit to Hesston College in Kansas, Gambill can step out and drain one from the 3-point line on one end, then turn around and swat a layup attempt on the other. Gambill amassed 16 points, two rebounds, a steal and a block in a Feb. 28 victory against Westmoore in the first round of regionals. Choctaw head coach Jermain Simpson showed praise to the senior, saying, "The [kid’s] work ethic speaks for itself and [he] deserves everything good coming."

Diego Garcia, 6-3, Sr., North Rock Creek

Garcia is a monster rebounder despite lacking a little in height. He had a 26-point performance in a 45-37 win against Bethel on Feb.15.

Corey Gordon, 6-3, Sr., Putnam City West

A Baylor football commit who plays safety, Gordon is no one-trick pony as an athlete. Gordon is one of those players who can help shift momentum for his team at any given time. The dual-athlete averages 12.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game on the season. Posting 17 points in the first contest of the Putnam City Invitational, his offensive ability helps him in many adverse situations when trying to score. "Arguably the best [two-sport athlete] in the state," PC West head coach Lenny Bert said via Twitter on his senior standout forward.

Jamel Graves, 6-6, Sr., Lawton Eisenhower

Graves thrives in the paint. He did just that on Jan. 19, dominating in a contest against Lawton High. Excelling down low, the senior found himself with a double-double, 34 points and 12 rebounds. "Highly skilled, can make the jump shot and is also a very underrated passer as a big," Graves’ AAU coach, DeAngelo Anderson, said via Twitter on his senior forward.

Quincy Hopkins, 6-3, So., Midwest City Carl Albert

A defensively driven player, Hopkins' superb ability to read a ball handler and strip it or snatch it out of the passing lanes create a plethora of offensive opportunities. In the Titan Classic tournament held at Carl Albert, the Titans won, 41-38, behind a 19-point, nine-rebound and six-steal performance from Hopkins.

Keivon Hudson, 6-6, Sr., Midwest City

Hudson is a force on both ends of the court, but his shot-blocking ability is seemingly the most impressive trick in his bag. He isn’t shy about it either, as Hudson has plenty of emotion when he plays. In a 55-48 win against Putnam City West on Jan. 25, Hudson led the way in scoring with 17 points, as the Bombers swept the season series against PC West.

Jarreth Ingram, 6-7, Jr., Tulsa Memorial

A unique talent, Ingram towers over defenders with his size, but can also blow by them when turned into high gear. Over 22 games, the junior averaged 6.9 points and 6 rebounds per game with 131 rebounds total. Ingram, who is part of a loaded Chargers roster capable of winning the Class 5A title, has over 50 percent of his rebounds coming on the offensive end.

Camden Laskie, 6-6, Sr., Edmond Deer Creek

Laskie is a good spot-up shooter and has great vision for someone who can score like he does. The senior also cleans up on the glass, just as he did in a 67-60 victory against Edmond Santa Fe on Feb. 15. In that game, Laskie put up 22 points, 11 boards and three assists. Deer Creek most recently knocked off Mustang, 57-56, in the regional semifinal thanks to a game-winning layup from Laskie.

Terry McMorris, 6-6, Jr., Del City

McMorris has been a key piece for the reigning 6A champions Del City this season who are vying to win the 5A title this season. His wingspan and I.Q. on the defensive end of the floor make him a huge problem for ball handlers. Then on the offensive end of the court, McMorris can get a bucket whenever needed. In 22 games, McMorris averages 12.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game with an impressive plus-minus rating of 12.9.

Caleb Nibbelink, 6-3, Sr., Broken Arrow

The Catoosa transfer has been a key piece for the Tigers this season. Nibbelink doesn’t always have to score in order to make an impact on the game. He displayed that in a Feb. 16 victory against Sand Springs. The senior posted two points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Trent Pierce, 6-9, Jr., Tulsa Union

Pierce’s talent has not gone unnoticed. He has offers from Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Tulsa and is getting interest from Oregon and Missouri, he told Prep Hoops' Ryan James. Pierce is someone the defense will always have their eyes on, which helps open up other opportunities for his teammates. In a contest against Owasso on Jan. 25, Pierce led his team with a 27-point performance despite a 58-54 loss. fell 58-54. "One of the highest ceiling players in [the nation]," Pierce’s AAU coach, John Roby, tweeted about his forward.

Kaidon Rayfield, 6-7, Fr., PC North

In the class of 2025, Rayfield has all the tangibles on the court. The 6-foot-7 freshman already averages 8.2 points and near five rebounds per game as a starter this season for an impressive PC North squad. "Kaidon is a very active wing player that has a high basketball I.Q. who can shoot from deep, as well as work the paint,” said PC North coach Ryan Wagner about his starting forward.

Cooper Shepard, 6-4, Sr., Bishop McGuinness

Shepard is seemingly an electrifying player which fits into this list. Tenacious, he slams the ball with authority when given open fast break opportunities. "[Cooper] plays with a [high-level] motor. Mr. Energy," Shepard's AAU coach, Brandon Dubose, said via Twitter.

JV Seat, 6-3, Sr., Edmond Memorial

The Abilene Christian commit is a physical player, but his 3-point range knows no bounds. He’ll gladly pull a jumper from beyond five feet past the 3-point line. In a tight loss to Edmond North on Feb. 15, Seat drained six threes and posted 20 points with two rebounds, two assists and a block. "Special family. Special young man," Edmond Memorial head coach Shane Cowherd said in a interview with The Oklahoman.

Jacobi Sebock, 6-5, Sr., Midwest City

Sebock is up there with some of the best seniors across the state. His length and knack to find the rim saw him post a 21-point performance and a sweep in the season series against Putnam City West on Feb. 18 in a 67-64 victory. "Good stuff [Jacobi],” Sebock’s AAU coach, DeAngelo Anderson, said via Twitter on his 21-point outing. "[He’s] having as good of a year as anyone! One of the top stock risers of the [2022] season!"

Killian Spellman, 6-4, Sr., Tulsa Memorial

Spellman is a reliable wing; able to hit the long jumper, handles the ball well and knows how to draw defenders and kick the ball out to the open teammate. He’s also a pest on the defensive end, averaging 2.2 steals per game. The senior puts up 10.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game alongside his defensive contribution.

Graham Tawwater, 6-6, Sr., Bishop McGuinness

In a contest against Santa Fe South on Jan. 28, Tawwater garnered a double-double with 30 points and 10 rebounds after bouncing back from injury. More importantly, Tawwater joined the 1,000-point club in the same contest. "[I’m] proud of Graham. Battles injuries early on in his career and still accomplished this, in 5A," Bishop McGuinness assistant coach Jade Carter tweeted on Tawwater’s milestone.

Domonic Turner, 6-4, Sr., Tulsa Memorial

Turner could be listed as a shooting guard, but for our lists we have him classified as a wing. Turner is a physical, exciting player to watch. In a Feb. 24 matchup against Tulsa NOAH, Turner posted a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds using some crafty finishes. Turner averages 7.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game. 

Matthew Willenborg, 6-7, Jr., Norman

Willenborg is a force on both ends of the court, and can even shoot 3-pointers while having ability to time blocking shots on the defensive end. In a 48-46 against over Stillwater on Feb. 15, Willenborg scored 14 and had five blocks on the defensive end.