At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, hundreds of players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III or NAIA levels, and that number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we take a closer look at guys who are overlooked and underrated, and today’s edition will highlight Caleb Maul of Metrolina Christian.
We’ve watched Maul’s growth to this point, previously stating, “Starting things off, we look at a player that possesses a nice crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, Caleb Maul. He’s a big, sturdy post prospect with solid effort and the ability to operate within the team on both ends of the floor. Maul does a useful job of utilizing his size to wall-up defensively and alter shots around the basket. He’s also capable of finishing effectively from within the paint. Next in his development process is working on getting stronger, as it would likely make him a better finisher around the basket. Coach Allen on Maul: “Caleb has the one thing you can’t teach, and that is size. His long frame takes up space, making it hard for opponents to score. Caleb did a great job of getting to the basket. As he continues to get stronger and works on some more post moves, he is going to be a draw for scouts. I look forward to seeing his growth.” Maul enjoyed a nice showing at camp and will be one to watch throughout these next few years at Metrolina Christian.”
While his per-game averages don’t necessarily pop off the page, Maul’s value resides in being reliable within his role on both ends of the floor. He plays hard, battles for rebounds, and displays an active motor within the paint. Maul utilizes his body and overall positioning to make an impact defensively, but can also score as needed on offense. He runs the floor hard in transition and looks to finish whenever possible, but never looks to force the action or play outside of the team concept. Maul knows and embraces his identity extremely well, and consistently looks to outwork opponents while on the court. Between his strong, sturdy frame and on-court mentality, there’s a place for Maul to enjoy success at the next level.