Height: 6’8
Class: 2026
School: Trinity Christian
Travel Team: Boo Williams
Freshman Season: 12.4 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 55% FG
What Was Recently Said: Although big men are known to develop at a slower pace, it’s quite easy to see the foundational appeal of someone like Justin Caldwell. He’s already big, strong, mobile, and physically overwhelming on both ends of the floor. Caldwell is a low-maintenance guy who utilizes his sturdy frame to absorb contact well around the basket, both as a finisher and rebounder, and displays solid timing when altering shots defensively. He possesses useful touch, a quick second/third jump, and excellent rebounding instincts on either side of the ball. Caldwell has notched four double-double performances this season, and should eventually become a nightly threat to reach these numbers. There’s plenty of upside remaining for someone like Caldwell, making him someone to monitor closely over these next few years.
What To Expect:
It should be pretty easy to see the long-term projection with someone like Caldwell, who is already able to consistently impact the game on both ends of the floor. He’s a strong, sturdy, physically overwhelming big man with the ability to finish, control the glass, and anchor the paint defensively. Caldwell utilizes his body really well around the basket to secure position and play through contact. In terms of physical tools, he has great hands, length, mobility, and footwork–which immediately puts him ahead of most interior prospects at this stage in his development. Caldwell is able to knock down the occasional midrange jumper, but typically operates from the block or the dunker spot. So much of his appeal comes through his ability to make his presence felt without requiring a lot of touches on offense. Given his current appeal (and obvious amount of upside), college coaches would be wise to start laying groundwork sooner than later.