As the high school season approaches the halfway point, everyone should have a much clearer picture of contending teams, breakout players, and everything in between. Although there hasn’t been a ton of parity this year, it’s arguably been one of the most interesting and entertaining seasons in recent memory. Every contest seems to have some takeaway or subplot to monitor. It’s always been stated that big men take longer to develop, and Chris Silver is only further solidifying this notion. After basically doubling his production across the board, it appears that he’s beginning to harness his long-term abilities. Let’s take a closer look…
Entering this season, Silver had never averaged four points per game or rebounds per game. Currently, he’s posting nightly averages of 8.3 PPG, 11.6 RPG, and an insane 6.7 BPG. It’s extremely uncommon to see block numbers that high–even in the high school ranks. Silver is a long, mobile big man with legitimate size and interior ability as a rebounder and rim-protector. He’s a capable finisher around the basket, but doesn’t need touches to make an impact. Silver utilizes his motor, length, and timing to consistently block or alter shots defensively. He’s a strong rebounder who positions himself well to control the glass. Silver also knows how to effectively run the floor in transition.
Given the overall premium of big men, it’s easy to see his appeal. The potential should be fairly obvious for a 7-foot-0 player who leads the state in blocks and secures rebounds at a high volume. There’s been little to no buzz surrounding Silver, but he has clear intrigue as a next-level piece. College coaches looking to bolster their frontcourt should take a long look at the Northern Nash product. Between his physical tools and overall trajectory, he should only continue to trend upward.