Like any sport, basketball is full of trends. Just in the last 30 years, we've seen the game change from a heavy emphasis on big men to a sport run by perimeter players. That being said, guards were important when post players dominated the game'just as big men still have a ton of value today. The biggest difference seems to lie within how these bigs are being developed. Gone are the days of traditional interior players who exclusively play with their backs to the basket, as the emphasis on face-up/shooting big men has increased exponentially over the last decade. Even guys like Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid (who are incredible on the block) don't necessarily aim to control games from the post. However, their respective statuses as top-five players in the NBA only solidify the significance of big men. Everything stated above is exactly why folks should be locked in on the notion that Charles Chienggan Pur is likely to emerge as North Carolina's next noteworthy post prospect.
Only an eighth-grader, the 6-foot-9 big man is already one of the most tantalizing players across the entire state. His size, length, and fluidity alone would be enough to get excited about, but there's so much more. Chienggan displays touch, activity, regular flashes of skill, and a quality feel on both ends of the floor. Sure, he's physically weak but that's somewhat expected for a young player of his size. Right now, Chienggan causes major problems for opponents with his instincts as a rim-protector. He patrols the paint properly, knows how to position himself as a weak-side defender, and utilizes his length exceptionally well to alter or block shots. Although Chienggan can get in foul trouble at times, his timing is still very impressive. He already moves better than the majority of players his size despite, again, only being in eighth grade. Additionally, Chienggan is more than just a rim-runner. He's shown touch, a nice shooting stroke, and the ability to score on the block. Whether finishing above the rim, hitting turnarounds from the post, or running the floor and capitalizing in transition, Chienggan is capable of applying pressure in various ways.
There's simply no denying the fact that he has the makings of a special player. It's easy to point to his lack of strength but folks should be focused on all the obvious appeal, as Chienggan has ample time to develop his frame. Consider the last prospect to come through the state with his array of tools, specifically at this early age, and that should help people understand the rarity of what we are seeing. Only time will tell, but Division I programs would be smart to start getting involved with the big man before he makes his inevitable leap into stardom over the next few years.
