Part 4 of 5 in our series on what college coaches look for at every position
[← Previous: Small Forward] | [Next: Center →]
Welcome to Part 4 of our College Recruit Blueprint series. We’ve covered the perimeter positions – point guard, shooting guard, and small forward – and now we’re moving inside to the frontcourt. This is where physicality meets skill, where toughness meets shooting, and where the modern game is changing faster than any other position.
This series uses the same five-category framework for every position: Physical Requirements, Technical Skills (Offense and Defense), Basketball IQ, and Intangibles. Today we break down the power forward – a position that has evolved dramatically in the modern game. If you play the four, you need to dominate in the paint while also stretching the floor from three. It’s a unique combination that defines today’s power forwards.
POSITION 4: POWER FORWARD
The enforcer who can stretch the floor – you bang in the paint, protect the rim, and make them pay from deep.
Modern power forwards need to be two things at once: physical enforcers in the paint AND floor-spacing shooters from three. College coaches want someone who brings toughness, energy, and physicality while also being a legitimate threat from deep. If you’re a power forward, you need to dominate on both ends and do all the dirty work that doesn’t show up in highlights.
1. Physical Requirements
Speed and quickness: Quick enough to switch on guards; close out on shooters; run the floor hard in transition
Strength and physicality: Built to battle in the paint; box out bigger centers; hold your ground on defense; finish through contact every time
Athleticism and explosiveness: Bounce to protect the rim; athletic enough to guard on the perimeter; explosive around the basket
2. Technical Skills (Offense)
Primary scoring responsibilities: Dominate the paint; knock down threes to stretch the floor; roll hard to the rim; put-back machine on offensive boards
Shooting range and accuracy: Wet from three (33%+) to space the floor; money from mid-range; automatic on pick-and-pop; solid free throw shooter
Ball-handling requirements: Good enough to attack closeouts; face up and drive; push in transition; don’t need crazy handles but can’t be stiff
Passing and playmaking: Make plays out of the high post; hit cutters; kick out to shooters; find the open man when doubled
3. Technical Skills (Defense)
Primary defensive assignment: Guard opposing 4s and 5s; switch onto smaller players; protect the paint
On-ball defense expectations: Stay solid in post defense; contest without fouling; hold your ground; versatile enough to guard multiple positions
Help defense and positioning: Anchor the help side; rotate and protect the rim; challenge everything at the basket; communicate rotations
Rebounding responsibilities: Own the glass on both ends; box out every possession; crash the offensive boards; outlet to guards in transition
4. Basketball IQ
Court awareness and vision: Know when to roll vs. pop; read help defenders; recognize when to crash or leak out; see double teams coming
Decision-making under pressure: Know when to post up vs. face up; make quick decisions with the ball; don’t force it; play to your strengths
Understanding of spacing and timing: Space the floor properly; time your cuts and rolls; know when to screen; don’t clog the paint
System/scheme knowledge: Master the pick-and-roll; understand defensive schemes; switch everything; be the connector on both ends
5. Intangibles
Leadership qualities: Bring the energy and toughness; set the physical tone; lead with your effort and hustle; enforce the paint
Communication skills: Talk on defense constantly; call out screens; direct traffic in the paint; vocal on boards
Work ethic and coachability: Always working on your shot; adding new moves; improve your weaknesses; watch film and learn
Mental toughness and competitiveness: Play through physicality; want the tough matchups; embrace contact; do the dirty work nobody sees
NBA COMPS
Elite tier: Giannis (freak athlete, dominant inside), Anthony Davis (two-way force), Jayson Tatum (versatile scorer who can play the 4)
Modern stretch 4s: Paolo Banchero (can do it all), Jaren Jackson Jr. (rim protector who shoots), Lauri Markkanen (stretch big)
Traditional power: Julius Randle (bully ball + skill), Draymond Green (ultimate glue guy), Jabari Smith Jr. (3-and-D big)
The Modern Power Forward
The power forward position has changed more than any other in the last decade. College coaches still want toughness and physicality, but they also need you to space the floor. If you can’t shoot threes at a decent clip (33%+), you’re limiting what your team can do offensively.
Think about it: if you’re clogging the paint, you’re making it harder for your guards to drive and your center to operate. But if you can step out and knock down threes, suddenly the defense has to respect you on the perimeter, which opens up everything for your teammates.
The best modern power forwards are switchable on defense. You’re guarding bigger centers in the post one possession, then switching onto a guard on the perimeter the next. That versatility is what separates college-level power forwards from high school players.
Study how Giannis dominates inside with his length and athleticism. Watch how Jaren Jackson Jr. protects the rim but also spaces the floor with his shooting. Notice how Draymond does all the little things – screens, communication, switching – that make championship teams work.
College coaches value power forwards who embrace the dirty work. You’re setting hard screens, boxing out every possession, crashing the offensive glass, and doing the physical stuff that winning teams need. Your stats might not be flashy, but coaches see your impact.
Your Next Steps
The modern power forward needs to be tough and skilled. If you’re physical but can’t shoot, get in the gym and work on your three-point shot until you’re hitting 33% or better. If you can shoot but shy away from contact, you need to get in the weight room and embrace the physicality of playing in the paint.
Track your rebounding numbers. Power forwards at the college level should be getting at least 8-10 rebounds per game. If you’re not hitting those numbers, you’re not boxing out hard enough or crashing the glass aggressively enough. Rebounding is about effort and positioning, not just size.
Study the modern power forwards in the NBA. Watch how they space the floor, set screens, and switch on defense. See how they impact winning without needing the ball in their hands. That versatility and toughness is what separates college-level power forwards from everyone else.
Be the enforcer your team needs. Set the tone with your physicality and energy. Do the dirty work that winning teams require. Power forwards who make it to college are the ones who embrace contact, crash the glass, and make their teammates better with their effort.
The power forward position is for players who aren’t afraid of hard work, who embrace the physical nature of the game, and who understand that toughness and skill can coexist. College coaches need power forwards who bring energy every single possession, who protect the paint and stretch the floor, who do the winning plays that don’t show up on SportsCenter. Be that player. Be tough. Be skilled. Be the enforcer who makes everyone better.
You’ve got the blueprint. Now go dominate.
Continue the series:
- [← Previous: Small Forward]
- [Next: Center →]
- Point Guard [Link]
- Shooting Guard [Link]
- [Back to Series Introduction]
