This edition of the Freshman Report, the TBB staff drove down I45 for the McDonald’s Texas Invitational and witness four 2021 prospects that not only produced on varsity, but three of them were integrated into the starting lineup. The physicality and speed of the game was an adjustment for these young prospects but the texasboysbasketball.com staff left Houston impressed.
Cream of The Crop Alum Chris Felix continued to get better as each game approached. The first half in Hightower’s bout against Allen, Felix struggled to find a way to impact the game but in the second half he played with more activity and produced off offensive glass. The two-guard for the Hightower Canes began to gain confidence as he started putting the ball on the floor, finished around the rim and became a disturbance on the defensive side in his Saturday’s game against Dickinson. Felix is a solid shooter that has range that extends from beyond the arc and I believe can turn into a 3rd scoring option for the canes going into district play.
Kaleb Stewart has burst into the 2021 prospect scene and will definitely be in out database. Equipped with good length, skill, instincts and the ability to dictate tempo, the point guard out of Crosby doesn’t play like a freshman. Stewart looks to get his teammates involved as he will attack the gaps of the defense and showed capable of scoring off the bounce. Another standout attribute to his game is his ability to rebound. Against Sam Rayburn, several instances when the game got out of control, he would secure the board and slow the game down. A talented young guard that we will continue to keep an eye on.
There have been a lot of positives things that have been said about Keon Edwards (Sam Rayburn) upside and skill-set that is mixed with his size but one thing TBB was impressed with the young wing on, is his ability to handle pressure and get his teammates involved in the offense. He was put in position to run the point for Sam Rayburn and took upon himself to get his teammates the ball where they needed it to be. Edwards has the makeup of becoming a high major player but that road will be a long one for the talented wing.
Allen has been on a hot start in the beginning of the season winning their first five contest and we have seen a build up in Manny Obaseki’s confidence and minutes for the Eagles. The long, wiry frame guard possess good bounce and feel for the game. He was able to rebound and push the ball in tranisition, executing off of fast break opportunities when his team had numbers. Obaseki will need to get in better shape to stay in longer on the varsity level but he has become one of if not the most productive bench player for Allen.
Edited by AB