Javonte Smart compiled the best scoring performances ever in the Thanksgiving Hoopfest and who’s presence in the paint garnered the defensive player award at the Hoopfest? Texasboysbasketball hand out our awards from a hoopsfilled weekend at the Sandrow Meadows Arena.
MVP of The Hoopfest: Javonte Smart, 2018 PG – Scotlandville
Smart had a string of performances that was unprecedented scoring 102 points in two games on 46 shots as he shot 71 percent from the field to go with his 51 ppg average. Smart scored 43 points on Friday against Lincoln and followed up with a 59 point outing vs Little Elm as the LSU commit played in his own pace, shot it well from 3 and when his jumper was off, was able to find his way into the paint with a finish or a foul. Smart takes the MVP honors and it was a no brainer after Saturday as his team went 2-0 on the Hoopfest and look to gain another state title.
Defensive Player of The Hoopfest: Sam Freeman, 2019 C – Justin Northwest
Freeman presence defensively was not matched at the Hoopfest as his performance against Booker T Washington, he contributed 7 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks. Freeman altered many shots as players thought twice about taking shots in the paint when Freeman was around. There was a big difference in points in the paint when Freeman was in the game vs when he was out and that’s why the promising big man wins defensive player of the weekend.
Offensive Player of The Hoopfest: De’Vion Harmon, 2019 PG – Denton Guyer
Harmon was in contention for MVP on Friday but Smart’s performances on Saturday sealed the deal. Nonetheless, Harmon’s performances cannot go unnoticed as the OU commit was the most entertaining player to watch. Slicing through defenses, playing with aggression on the defensive end and knocking down key jumpers to slow down the opposing team’s momentum as he averaged 30 points a game. Harmon was a star at the Hoopfest and his team is primed to making it to the Alamo Dome if they continue to build off these performances.
Breakout Performer(s): Dearon Tucker, 2019 C – Universal Academy & Jakobe Coles, 2020 PF – Denton Guyer
Jakobe Coles
Coles compiled two strong performances for Denton Guyer in their win vs South Garland and Austin Westlake. When Coles is playing to his strengths, he can impact game with a nice touch on his turnaround jumper and cleaning up on the glass. Coles play on Saturday garnered an offer from North Texas as they were in attendance to watch him. He already has a SMU offer as well with Tulane, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State having shown interest in the young 4-man.
Dearon Tucker
Tucker contributed 12 points, 6 rebounds and I accounted two blocks in Universal Academy’s win vs Woodrow Wilson. Tucker got his nose in and played with physicality and a little bit of a meanstreak. He was a viable post up option for the Eagles and his performance caught the TBB staff eye as we believe the switch will stay on for the gifted post-man.
Edited by AB