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NBPA Top 100 Camp Profile: Tyrese Maxey

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This week in Virginia saw 2019 Tyrese Maxey’s trajectory go one direction and that is up. Just looking at his stats only tell half the story as Maxey got his points in a variety of ways and his feel, finishing abilities and ability to shoot it with contest off the dribble or catch impressed the staff. His overall grit and toughness that Maxey plays with was displayed Saturday. When his team was down big in the quarterfinals, Maxey took matters into his own hands and had 6 & 8 point scoring spurts in a effort to get his team back in the game. Although his team lost, Maxey finished with 30 points and shot 66% from the floor. That 30 point performance was the highest scoring output at the camp and Maxey finished fourth in scoring ppg average overall. Maxey, the top guard in the state for 2019 proved that at the camp and Maxey is proving he more than just the top guard in Texas..

Camp Grade: A-

Camp Stats

13.9 PPG

2.9 RPG

1.4 APG

45 FG%

33 3P%

80 FT%

NBPA Top 100 Camp Day 3 Recap

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Consistent play is what the staff was looking for from the Texas players at the NBPA Top 100 Camp. We will take a look at all 10 players from the state that played on Friday.

Starting to Click

2018 Jahmar Young has been one of the most consistent players from the state of Texas in this camp. Scoring off athleticism and hustle plays, Young has also been shooting it from 12 ft out. The work in the gym prior to the camp has shown.

“I like the competition that’s here. I knew coming in that I wasn’t going to be the only one with my height and size (at the camp so I knew in my mind I need to bring something new to the table,” Young said.  “So before I came in,  I put up 700 shots every morning for two weeks before camp and now I’m here and it shows I can knocked down shots anywhere.”

Young is one of six players in the entire camp that recorded a double-double in a game so far this week as he joins 2018 David McCormack, Simi Shittu, Naz Reid, Darius Bazley and 2019 Armondo Bacot and he even played a third game as one team was short-handed and needed a big. Young still is developing but as the camp winds down and we get into July, the staff wants to see how Jahmar’s play goes from here and if he can follow up with more consistent performances in the future.

Friday Grade: B+

Player Notables

Antoine Davis, 2018 PG: Davis had the highest ppg average of all the Texas players on Friday, averaging 14 and shooting slightly under 50% from the field. Davis continues to get to the open spots, shoot it off the catch and made plays in transition. He has had a quietly productive week at the NBPA Top 100 Camp.

Friday Grade: B+

Miller Kopp, 2018 SF: Kopp avg. 13 points, three rebounds and had the second best shooting percentage out of the Texas players on Friday,  shooting 63 percent.He was hitting open jumpers and running to his spots in transition and Miller took more of an initiative to get to the basket, especially in the open court which resulted in going 4-5 on free throws in his first game.

Friday Grade: B

Kaden Archie, 2018 SG: Along with Young, Archie has been consistent this week as well. He averaged 8 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists  and showcased his versatility on offense. He competes, and in the evening game,  stepped up to guard 2018 Louis King full court, and although King ended up with 21 pts that game, Archie made him work for those points.

Friday Grade: B

Jaedon LeDee, 2018 F: LeDee shot 64% percent from the field and there seems to be a theme of strong second games from him as he had 15 points 7 rebounds in his team’s evening win. LeDee scored from 15 ft out and finished in traffic but the staff is looking for two strong games in a row from him.

Friday Grade: B-

Will Baker, 2019 C: Baker stats today aren’t eye popping (3 pts, 7 rebs) but he continued to be effective on the court. The biggest difference with Baker from the first day, is how comfortable he plays on the court which has allowed him to show his offensive repertoire.

Friday Grade: B-

Tyrese Maxey, 2019 G: Maxey had an ok performance on Friday as he averaged 7 points and two rebounds. He didn’t shoot it well but he still got to his spots and took shots that were going in Thursday, but just weren’t going in on Friday. We will see how he follows up on Saturday.

Friday Grade: C+

Matthew Mayer, 2018 SF: Friday was the best day for Matthew Mayer as shot 60% from the field and he played with more energy on both ends. There was five minutes in his first game where Matthew showcase the ability to rebound on both ends, shoot it off the catch and score off the dribble.

Friday Grade: C+

Grant Sherfield, 2019 PG: Sherfield’s strong first game followed after having a solid outing on Thursday. He had 10 points to go with 3 assists. He continues to work on getting his teammates involved and getting his shots within the flow of the offense. He struggled in his second game as he went 1-4 and couldn’t get in much of a rhythm.

Friday Grade: C+

Kendric Davis, 2018 PG: Davis also didn’t have a good shooting day as he averaged 5 points, 3 rebounds and two assists on 30%. Davis didn’t play with the energy he played with yesterday but even though his shot was off he facilitated and contributed in other ways on both ends.

Friday Grade: C-

 

 

 

NBPA Top 100 Camp Day 2 Recap

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The second day is in the books as we at texasboysbasketball.com arrived at the John Paul Jones arena in Charlottesville, Virginia to evaluate the Texas players at the NBPA Top 100 Camp. Players that impressed Wednesday took their game to another level and a couple of players stepped up their game. showed improvement as well.

Maxey, Davis Form Monster Backcourt

It was hard to find any fault in 2018 Kendric Davis and 2019 Tyrese Maxey play today. When they shared the court, the tempo of the game increases and points came in abundance. Both played off each other and found each other for open looks in transition and the halfcourt as they looked to have been playing with each other for years. Davis plays with a toughness and grit on both ends and makes smart decisions from 15 ft out and Maxey scores in a variety of ways and made plays in tight spaces. Thursday Backcourt Grade: A-

Kaden Archie, 2018 SG: Archie continued to impress the staff as he showcased his two-way style of play and put himself in position to make a play. Archie’s stats won’t wow you at 6 ppg but his ability to make the smart basketball play, guard the best perimeter player and hit the open jumper has been influential to his team’s success.Thursday Grade: B

Quentin Grimes, 2018 G: We thought jet lag could effect Grimes play today as he was coming back from Italy, but he came out of the gate aggressive and was becoming a leader for his team. He showed 30% in his second game but he got good looks and was getting his teammates involved. Grimes in his second game had 9 points and 3 reb.Thursday Grade: B

Will Baker, 2019 C: Although he didn’t make our day 1 report, Baker had a solid showing and followed with another solid showing today. Baker averaged 6 points and 4 rebounds on Thursday and showed range from the three point line and also some grit to his game as well. We haven’t seen the best of Will Baker and in two years, we will be excited to see what he becomes.Thursday Grade: B-

Jahmar Young, 2018 PF: Young continued to play with a lot of energy and effort but he also is starting to play smarter. He saw himself at the foul line, as he shot 7 free throws in the second game and Young continues to come along and showing why we have him as a top 15 player in the state. Thursday Grade: B-

Grant Sherfield, 2019 PG: Sherfield struggled offensively on the first day but played with more aggression and was taking matters into his own hands. He rebounded well and he was getting into his spots. The first game on Thursday he didn’t shoot it well but although his shot was off, he made the defense react, then found the open man. Grant averaged 9 points 3 rebounds and 3 assists. Thursday Grade: B-

Miller Kopp, 2018 SG/SF: Kopp also struggled on Wednesday as the open shots weren’t going in but the second day, those shots that rimmed out, went in. Kopp can shoot it and that is known and he did a good job getting to the open spots while trying to space the floor for his team.Thursday Grade: C

Jaedon LeDee, 2018 F: LeDee couldn’t get in much of a rhythm in his first game on Thursday but made more plays in his second game as LeDee showcased his versatile style of play and had 14 points and 7 reb. On the day, LeDee averaged 8pts and 5 rebs a game and it seems that LeDee is starting to settle in and the staff expects a big day on Friday. Thursday Grade: C

Antoine Davis, 2018 PG: In Davis’s first four games, he has shown what he is known for and that is shoot the ball. Davis made the defense pay when he was left wide open and gained trust from his teammates as he started receiving and making shots when he had space. Davis didn’t do anything to hurt or boost his stock but has confirm the type of player he is. Davis in the first two days has averaged 9 ppg and has shot a solid 42% from three. Thursday Grade: C

NBPA Top 100 Camp Day 1 Recap

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Since 2009  NBPA Top 100 Camp has evolved into a annual pilgrimage to evaluate Texas players in a national environment.   The Harrison twins and Emmanuel Mudiay were just three of the 14 McDonalds All Americans between 2012 and 2014 with another 12-15 players that went on to play in Power Nine conferences that were NBPA campers.  Current projected  lottery pick Jarrett Allen hosted his coming out party on the campus of University of Virginia at John Paul arena these are some notable alumni from Texas that played in the camp.  The 14 invited with 13 committing brings to mind the 2013 camp when Texas first went into double digit numbers of campers. This looks like it will be a good run for the Texas kids. Day one always catches a few talented guys looking and just not quite ready to jump in but I always like when a few go right to work.

TOP TEXAS DAY PERFORMERS 

Tyrese Maxey, 2019 PG:  Maxey looked to be at the head of the Texas class on day one.  I was impressed with Maxey’s willingness  to take matters into his own hands.  There were 2-3 situations where his ability to attack defensive boards created high energy primary breaks. He was able  demonstrated his high IQ and a productive experience for his team in these situations. During the time Tyrese was off the ball of the two headed monster that the Heat (camp team) had with Maxey and Kendrick Davis, Tyrese created off the bounce from open 3’s, midrange pull-ups and at the rim in traffic.

Day one grade: A-

Kaden Archie, 2018 SG: Kaden was Mr. Balance, he played both ends where he contributed at every measurable and intangible manor available to his tool box. We will be looking to see him knock down a open look here and there as the week progresses.  When all things are tallied Kaden is all about winning.

Day one grade: B- 

Kendrick Davis, 2018 PG: Kendrick Davis was flat out Nasty/Mr. Gritty. Kendrick found his way into the paint on a regular and very seldom did he come up empty.  The TCU commit turned paint touches into FT’s, Mid range pull-ups, and open teammates for clean looks. Kendrick was really good! Day one grade: B+

Jahmar Young, 2018 PF:  Jahmar  made the Urban Nation (Urban DFW Elite) and Jazzy Hartwell proud on day one.  The long slender late bloomer’s motor was in high gear which allowed him to find his way in the rim on multiple transition plays.  He continues to compete and be productive even though he is usually gives up 20-30 lbs to his opponent. Jahmar is off to a good start in finding his way around the preverbal corner.  Day one grade: B-

 

 

 

 

 

King Arthur Classic Bracket Play Recap

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The 9th annual King Arthur Classic was held in Duncanville Fieldhouse this past weekend as the staff at texasboysbasketball.com got to evaluate off of good matchups and saw a few new prospects that caught our eye.

Urban DFW and Texas Elite-Herb saw each other in the Sunday evening championship game as both teams had to win three games straight to reach the finals. It was a two-three possession game for the majority of the time but strong offensive performance from co-tourney MVP 2018 RJ Mason (23 points) and control of the glass for Urban DFW allowed them to pull-ahead later in the second half for a 21 point win. For Texas Elite-Herb, the other co-mvp, 2018 Andrew Clapton played with energy and made plays on both ends and contributed 16 points.

Player Notables

Feron Hunt, 2018 F – Urban DFW: Hunt seems to start coming along as he played with high energy in bracket play and showcase his ability to impact games in different ways. He averaged a near double-double on Sunday but his stats didn’t tell the story of his impact.

Kaden Archie, 2018 SG – Urban DFW: Archie continues to show what he does best. He scored in a variety of ways and did a solid job facilitating the ball. The number 5 player in our 2018 rankings, Archie was influential to his team’s success.

Isaiah Lewis, 2019 SF – Urban DFW (16U): Lewis played with an aggression that the staff would like to see more of from Lewis. Lewis took the leadership role on offense as he made plays when his team needed to score. This was a good weekend for Lewis as he continues to get back to speed since recovering from an injury.

Angel Dibwa, 2019 C – Urban DFW (16U): Dibwa has been coming along as a basketball player since the staff saw him in March. Defensively, guards think twice when putting up a shot inside as he is looking to block shots that come from anywhere in the paint. A run and jump big mainly right now that has been coming along in the post.

Tamir Bynum, 2018 PG – Texas Elite-Herb: The UTSA commit showed he can score…… and do that in bunches. Bynum filled the point sheet with a few 20 plus point outings and also locked in on defense when his team needed a stop.

Kalvin Ezekwe, 2018 PG – Texas Elite Herb: A quick guard that is part of the three headed monster the backcourt of Texas Elite had. Standing 5’7, but don’t let his size fool you as he plays bigger than his stature.

Robert Brown, 2018 PF-Dallas Showtyme: Active on the glass is the four words that describe Browns play. Although Showtyme saw a earlier exit than expected, Brown was strong on the boards and made a high percentage on inside shots.

Jordan Phillips, 2018 SF – Dallas Showtyme: Phillips displayed his athleticism and strength to get where he wanted. Phillips shot was off but Phillips took the initiative and was looking to be aggressive going into the paint and looking to make a play when his team was down.

Clay Baldwin, 2020 SG – I Am I Will: Baldwin plays with a nastiness that was big for his team’s success. Baldwin shot the ball better from the perimeter and saw him guard multiple positions. Baldwin is the type of player that you love playing with but hate playing against.

Quevian Adger, 2020 F – Basketball Means More: Adger displayed versatility on both ends and put up a near double-double in the first half. Adger when the ball is tipped plays hard and with energy. A 2020 forward that is making a name for a top 15 spot in the 2020 rankings.

 

The Final 12: Harmon & Hampton make the U16 USA National Team

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32, 24, 16, 12. Since October 2016, players accepted invites and arrived at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado for the chance to make the 2017 U16 National Team. Starting at 32 players that were eligible infor the team n October, to 24 in March and 16 to the final 12 in June.

From Bradley Beal, Aaron Gordon to Houston native Jarred Vanderbilt, two players from the state of Texas joined this company and made the team of 12 to play in the FIBA Americas U16 Championship.

2019 De’Vion Harmon and 2020 RJ Hampton talked to texasboysbasketball.com on their experience and reactions to making the final cut.

“When I heard my name called, I was at a lost for words. I was speechless. So much excitement built up inside of me, and after about 5 minutes… I just had to let it all out,” Harmon said.

“Making the final cut was a dream come true. When I found out I just thanked God and called my mom!” Hampton said.

The last time the staff saw both players on the same court was on Dec. 3 when Harmon’s Denton Guyer’s squad defeated Little Elm with Hampton in a shootout where both player accumulated over 25 points. Both players credit their skill set and mentality on excelling in Colorado.

“Everyone there is elite but I do think my skill set made me stand out. My mentality is always to compete no matter what happens, just compete on offense and defense,” Hampton said. “My mentality has been to do all the little things, and really just compete at a very high level and I’m glad I got to show that,” Harmon said.

We may not have the chance to see the matchup again during the school year as Hampton will be attending Montverde Academy in Florida next school season.

“The school has such a tradition that I can’t wait to get to school and get in their system. They have great players and a great coach. I want to get better everyday!”

So whats next? The FIBA Americas will be held in Argentina from June 14-18 as Hampton and Harmon plan to come back with a gold medal.

“What’s next for De’Vion Harmon… For my guys and I to go down to Argentina and be ready to win the gold medal,” Harmon said. Then when I get back home to Texas, going to take a few days to rest my body and see my people I haven’t seen in a few weeks.”

“Well the next step is USA basketball. I am so honored and blessed to make the team. I want a gold medal.,” Hampton said. I’m also looking forward  to Adidas nations and the next live periods. I’m just gonna continue to get better and stay in the gym and the recruiting will take care itself. I’m just going to be a sophomore and I still got some time to go but I just need to stay hungry and don’t ever get satisfied.”

Jersey Facts

De’Vion Harmon will wear #6 which was worn by:

Deandre Jordan (2016)

Derrick Rose (2014, 2010)

Lebron James(2012, 2008, 2006)

Bill Russell (1956)

 

RJ Hampton will wear #8 which has been worn by:

Harrison Barnes (2016)

Deron Williams (2012)

Carmelo Anthony (2004)

Scottie Pippen (1992)

Recruiting Q&A with Marvens Petion

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We at texasboysbasketball.com got the chance to talk to 2019 forward Marvens Petion. Petion has impressed the staff over the past five months as we are seeing him scratch the surface of his potential.
AU: What motivates you?
MP: I was born and raised in Haiti and I just want to make it and help my mom.”

AU: What parts of your game has seen improvement?

MP: My jumper has improved and my overall perimeter game has gotten better. I still need to work on it but I feel that I have gotten better.

AU: What offer/ interest do you have?
MP: I know Tulsa, Mississippi, Wichita State and LA Tech has been interested
AU: What part of your mental game has seen improvement?
MP: Keeping focus after missing a shot  and having a short term memory. I need to be able to forget about the miss and keep my confidence fine.”
AU: What do you want to prove by then this summer?
MP: I wanna prove to everyone who’s doubted on me that I am a better teammates who’s always gonna tell you to keep shooting after you missed 15 shots and I wanna prove to everyone my game is on a new level right now.
New level is what Petion can prove as the July live period is a little over a month away. The 16th ranked player in our 2019 class is still an under the radar player in the 2019 class that we will continue to keep track as his recruitment heats up in the upcoming months.

Memorial Day (GASO Day 3)

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The finish line was in sight for teams that made it to Monday’s play as the Semi’s and championship games went on at the Advantage Sports Complex for the GASO. The two main NBA Division Championship winners were Centex Lockdown as they defeated Lone Star Elite and Texas Impact 4:13 who beat Urban DFW.

Centex Lockdown vs Lone Star Elite

Lockdown got on a early run and secured a 5-8 point lead for most of the game until the middle of the second half, where they broke away with the game.  2018 Luke Hamilton continued to be a threat from the perimeter as he had 17 points  and overall averaged 20 points on Monday.  2017 PF Dayante McClellan played strong inside and added 18 points in the championship game with a double double avg of 16 points, 11 rebounds on for the day. Lone Star Elite kept battling and made runs during the game that looked like they would take control, but ran out of gas in the second half and got out played. 2018 Addison Wallace  had a solid performance with 12 points as he displayed the ability to finish in traffic and 2018 point guard LaQuan Butler got in double figures as well as he was aggressively looking to attack the zone.

Texas Impact 4:13 vs Urban DFW

This game had much anticipation, but got out of hand early as Texas Impact defeated Urban DFW 77 to 45. 2018 Xavier Bryant, stepped up in his matchup against 2018 Kennedy Milton and was able to get where he wanted on the floor and on defense, disrupted what Urban’s guards wanted to do. 2018  Jaylen Walker made a living on put backs from back-side rebounds as he had his strongest performance this weekend with 17 points to go with double digit rebounds. 2018 Kaden Archie contributed 15 points and although forced shots inside, got inside and had scoring spurts. 2018 forward Braden Bell produced 10 points, and Bell gave steady contributions all weekend for Urban on both ends of the floor.

Player Notables

Kevin McCullar, 2019 SG – YIIS: McCullar was the leading scorer for YIIS with 10 points in the semifinal game against Centex Lockdown as his aggressive play created opportunities for himself and his teammates.

Samuel Williamson, 2019 SG – Texas Impact 4:13: Williamson offensive production was very solid as he averaged 15 points on Monday. He scored in a variety of ways and competed on defense when matched up with Kaden Archie.

Jason Bush, 2018 CF – ProSkills Black: Bush played bigger than his 6’5 size in the paint and played tough inside against Texas Impact. He kept the play alive, scored inside and out which resulted in a near double-double

Nigel Jons, 2019 C – YGC36: It’s good to see when a big man has a game where it seems that he is starting to get it and that is the case for Nigel Jons performance against Lone Star Elite. His activity inside on both ends was a big boost for his YGC36 team although they fell short in overtime by two points.

Grant Sherfield, 2019 PG – YGC36: Sherfield continue to show his ability to score from the perimeter and seeing that he was fighting through some nagging pains, Sherfield still made big plays down the stretch and got his teammates involved in the offense.

Vincent Lee, 2018 PF – Lone Star Elite: Lee scored well on the block and was respected with double teams when he had the ball in the post. Against YGC36 he contributed 14 points in the win and was active on the glass.

Carson Hughes, 2018 SG – 3D Empire: Hughes was coming off screens and knocking down threes. He had 20 points against Urban DFW in the semifinals and gave headaches to whoever was guarding him as they had to chase him and go through several off-ball screens ran for Hughes.

Darrius Whittington, 2020 PG – Basketball Means More: Whittington is a player that our staff has been on for a year and his performance against Dallas Razorbacks was impressive as he defended and was efficient on offense. Whittington had five assists and got in positions to make a play.

Ronald Harelston, 2019 G – Houston Superstars: Got another chance to see Hareslton play and he has a chance to be really good once he fine tunes his game. An athletic guard that rebounded and played with intensity. Harelston will be a player we at Texasboysbasketball.com will continue to look at.

 

 

Memorial Day (GASO Day 2)

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On this Sunday of the GASO, teams enter into their last pool play game and get into bracket play. Fatigue and injuries came into play when the fourth and fifth games rolled around which resulted in more competitive games. D1-Houston and Centex Lockdown finished Sunday with the respect from the more known programs as they competed and won some notable games. D1-Houston beat Texas impact 4:13 in double overtime and lost by five to Urban DFW in the night game. Lockdown beat YIIS in bracket play to lead them into the semis on Monday. Here is our recap of Sunday.

Javonne Lowery, 6’4 SG – Basketball University 16: Lowery made a name for himself today. Rebounded and scored at a high level as he led his team in scoring on Sunday and kept Basketball University competitive against YGC36. Lowery made plays when his team needed him to and was locked in on both ends.

Charles Bassey, 6’10 PF – Yes II Success: The “Big Ticket” as they call him, Bassey made some highlight plays and makes the game easy for him. Playing through injury, Bassey still provided a double-double in each game Sunday and had a big presence in the paint.

Kris Dixon, 6’4 SG – Texas Elite Mitch: Dixon was the highlight of the early morning game as he contributed 22 points in Texas Elite’s morning pool play game. He responded with another 20 plus point outing in bracket play as his team fell short to making it to the semis. Dixon exploited mismatches and scored inside and out. Another kid that made a name for himself.

Jock Hughes, 6’4 SG – All 4 Sports Dream Team: It seems like we will stay in the theme of 6’4 shooting guards but the basket had to be as wide as the ocean for Hughes as it felt like he couldn’t miss from the perimeter. A player that will see his name in our rankings, Hughes two notable outings on Sunday came against Urban DFW with over 20 points and against 3D-Wolverines, where he scored 30. Able to score off the catch and dribble, Hughes has the knack to know when to take over ball games.

Feron Hunt, 2018 6’7 CF – Urban DFW: Saturday, Hunt didn’t show too much, but on Sunday he played with an attitude and passion that led to  him impacting the game in multiple ways. Kept plays alive, made the occasional mid-range jumper, defended well, Hunt was a big piece to Urban’s success today.

Ousmane Ndim, 2018 6’10 C – Yes II Success: Ndim, like Hunt, didn’t show much on Saturday but on Sunday, especially against Lone Star Elite, Ndim showed why he is viewed highly by our staff. Blocking shots, running the floor and playing with a nastiness that brings energy to his team. One block Ndim had, hit the backboard so hard, that it shook for a few seconds and that’s what Ndim brings to the table.

Luke Hamilton, 2018 6’6 SF – Lockdown Elite: Hamilton made shots when it mattered for his squad and played tough. Known for his shooting ability, Hamilton also impacted the game on the other end vs Yes II Success, taking charges and being in the right spot. Hamilton play help lead his team to championship Monday

Jayden Martinez, 2018 6’7 PF – D1-Houston: Martinez plays bigger than his size and led the under the radar D1-Houston squad to a 2-1 record in their pool with impressive wins vs Lone Star Elite and Texas Impact 4:13. Martinez rebounded, defended and scored on the block as he played to his strengths.

Isaac Likeleke, 2018 6’4 SG – YGC36: Likeleke got to his spots on the court and against HD Toros, had a impressive jam in traffic. Likeleke isn’t the quickest player, but knows how to manuever his way past the defender to get a good look. One of the leaders for the YGC36 squad and played well even through injury.

2020 Players that Impressed

Caleb Lohner, 6’7 SF – Basketball Means More: Lohner showed why he is one of the top players in the 2020 class in the state as he scored at a high level and made smart decisions with the ball. He has the athleticism and skill to hold his own at the 17U division.

KJ Pruitt, 6’4 G – Dallas Seawolves: Pruitt has a lot of promise and he showed why he is a top 10 talent in 2020. Handles the speed and physicality that the 17U level brought this weekend and was able to create shots for himself. Pruitt still has a lot to work on, but the potential is there.

Jordan Persad, 5’10 PG – Yes II Success: Persad has help lead the YIIS 16U group to Monday and he has started to come to his own this weekend. Scoring and facilitating, Persad seemed to play calm no matter the situation was for his team which has been key for their success.

Isaiah Stevens, 2019 PG – Triumph: Stevens avg. close to twenty points in the three games he played as he got to where he wanted on the floor. A smart worker that the staff has seen progress since the school season.

2021’s Making a Mark at The GASO

Manny Obaseki, 6’2 SG – Basketball Means More: Manny’s play could see himself in the 2021 player rankings in the upcoming fall. An athletic player that held his own at the guard spot against stronger players. Excited to see how Obaseki develops through the years.

Samuel Onwu, 6’9 C – Yes II Success: The staff have kept our eye on Onwu and he continues to show that what he does best can be effective in the 17U level and that is rebound and block shots. He hasn’t tapped into his potential yet and in spurts, he shows what presence he can be in the future. Definitely a player to watch

Duncan Powell, 6’6 PF – Basketball Means More: Powell was a main contributor to his team staying competitive against tough competition as he did a good job finishing around the rim. He brought a lot of energy and played aggressive from the beginning to the end of games.

Joseph Van Zandt, 6’2 Wing – D1-Ambassadors – West Texas: Van Zandt isn’t known in the 2021 class but he stepped onto the scene this weekend and on Sunday he showed his upside. A long athletic wing that defends and makes plays even when the play isn’t designed for him. Not physically strong yet, but plays tougher than he looks and caught our eye this Sunday.

Big Man Battles

David Nzekwesi vs JB Mukeba

Triumph and Texas BlueChips SWE went at on court three and 2018 David Nzekwesi, who has the edge on the 2019 JB Mukeba on girth and strength, while Mukeba had the advantage with speed. Mukeba made plays facing up Nzekwesi and taking him out to the perimeter while Nzekwesi got in good position on the block. Neither backed down from each other and the aggressive play was good to see. Mukeba ended up with a double-double to go with his 15 points while Nzekwesi finished with 20 and the win.

Sam Freeman vs Vincent Lee

The bracket play game between 3D-Wolverines and Lone Star elite had some chippiness, as both teams played very physical. This was a good chance to see 2019 big man Sam Freeman against stronger post such as 2018 Vincent Lee. The physicality in the first 8 minutes seemed to be too much for Freeman, but when he got comfortable, he was rebounding on both ends, blocking/altering shots and his most notable block was a dunk attempt by Lee. As both of them were going for a rebound, they were called for a double foul and Lee was hit with a tech and that seemed to turn the game around, as Lee played with a higher level of intensity and had a dominate 6 minute spurt in the second half before fouling out, but the lead was too much for 3D-Wolverines to overcome.

The Heroics of Mason Hix

2018 Mason Hix for 3D Empire had 10 points combined in the last two minutes of regulation, and both overtimes and went coast to coast with four seconds left to make the game winning layup against Triumph Gold. Hix found himself in the right spots and when a play was drawn for him, he executed.

Texas Impact 4:13 Backcourt

2018 Xavier Bryant and Marcus Hill gel very well when on the court together. Bryant seems to know where Hill is in transition and when he drives and Hill does a good job getting to the open spot on the floor. Hill made clutch plays on Sunday and Bryant controls the tempo and makes the right play. Interested to see how this duo plays on Monday.

Houston Superstars Look to Make a Splash

Houston Superstars, who have had several heralded Texas players such as TJ Ford, Jimmy Butler and Daniel Ewing had a few pieces that caught the staff’s eye today. 2019 Ronald Harleston is an athletic guard/forward that looked to finish above the rim. Harleston plays with a lot of energy and made plays on both ends of the ball. 2018 Demarcus Morris, who we saw during the school season playing the post, was playing the forward position for his Superstars 6’7 forward had an impressive stat line in his early afternoon pool game with 22 points, 10 rebounds, 3 stls and 4 blocks. Morris, like Harleston plays with a lot of energy and seemed to be in the right spot to make a play.

Sunday Stock Boosters

CJ Weathers, 2018 6’7 CF – RM5-East

Ike Egwu, 2018 6’7 PF – Dallas Seawolves

Marcus Stephens, 2019 6’6 CF – Basketball University 16U

Marvens Petion 2019 6’6 SF – YGC36

Ray Pugh, 2018 6’1 PG – Triumph Gold

Kevin McCullar 2019 6’5 G – Yes II Success

Luke Cox, 2018 6’2 SG – ProSkills Black

Michael Bradley, 2018 6′ PG – SABO Gold

Simeon Soname, 2018 6’6 PF – D1-Houston

 

 

Memorial Day (GASO Day 1)

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The story of the day was the team effort of Texas Impact.  The DFW metroplex based group coached by Terry Thomas got wins over the talented Lone Star Elite (DFW) and YES 2 Success Select (San Antonio) led by #1 2019 Charles Bassey.  We watched 12 games closely while gazing next court over to take in another 4-6 which made for good days work. I was very impressed with the 2021 BMM team playing in the 17U/NBA division where they competed consistently to get a win and a competitive loss.  This type of showing will do them well when we go to the 2021 board for initial top 25 2021 in September 2017.

Kaden Archie  6’7″  2018  Wing Urban DFW Elite:  Kaden (#5 TBB) was the most domiant player on my plate for day one.  His Jimmy Butler type approach toward the game makes the long athletic 6’7″ wing affect the game from one end to the other.  Although I would love to see he and (Butler) shoot it better but positive production is a good thing.  Archie just makes plays by any means necessary always improving his team’s chances of winning. Urban DFW Elite got two big margin wins day one in a not so competitive environment.

Grant Sherfield  6’1″ 2019 PG  YG36  

Every time I see this kid he answers the bell.  Today was no different while he was having good shooting day from both the arc and mid range.

He didn’t ever get all of his guys going but did enough to get a win with numbers on the score board.  He will have to do more as the weekend goes to get to the thick of the championship.  We all know the high major prospect is talented and at the top of his class.  I am excited to see the remainder of the weekend how uses his ability to get paint touches at will to push his team through bracket play.

Samuel Williamson  6’6″  2019  Wing   Texas Impact 

Samuel is still difficult for some to swallow but in my experiences, I have seen this picture before and I like where I think it is going.  It is a lot like the first time I saw Sam in August 2015 at the Cream of the Crop Camp (Duncanville, TX).  He just has a feel for detail and energy which yields productivity with very little error. This weekend was no different with his team mentioned earlier doing well in two of the most competitive games of the day. It helps that he plays with one of the purest point guards in Texas  Xavier Bryant 5’11” 2018  PG  Bryant is learning how to lead and secure from the neck up. His ability to disrupt his opponent’s offense and get in to the opposing team’s defense at will provides  opportunities for the Texas Impact group.

Addison Wallace  6’31/2″  2018 1/2 Combo  Lone Star Elite 

Wallace is another smart worker, staying about the business of diligently seeking the best opportunities for his team with his strong shoulders and high IQ.  He has made a point in the 20-25 games I have watched the Cleburne native  to show that he was the toughest player on the court. The full time ball guard could be another one emerging from shadows of the over populated player state of Texas. I am looking forward to watching how he the 0-2 Lone Star Elite group bounce back after after a tough day one.

 

We have identified 25 plus notable players for this weekends watch list and found three new sightings like 6’7″ 2019 J B Mukebi Southwest Elite. We will be back tomorrow on this long holiday weekend with more basketball and hopefully players.

By: AB

 

 

Recruiting Q&A with 2018 JyDonn Griffith

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Texas Boys Basketball got the chance to talk to 2018 (Lewisville HS) big man JyDonn Griffith as he talks about the recruiting process and the schools that are on him.

AU: What offers and interest do you have?

JG: I have an offer from Old Dominion and interest from La Tech, Texas Rio, and New Hampshire but the school that has shown the most interest in me is Old Dominion as they have been in contact with me everyday.

AU: How much do you hear from the other schools?

JG: I hear from La Tech, Texas Rio Grande and New Hampshire about three times a week.

AU: When do you plan on making your decision?

JG: I definitely want to make my decision before AAU season starts next spring

AU: How is your experience with the recruiting process?

JG: The recruiting process has boosted my confidence and will to get better. Seeing schools have interest in me makes me want to go harder and attract the attention of more schools.

AU: What part of your mental game do you believe has seen improvement?

JG: The part of my mental game that has improved is never to give up no matter what the situation is.

AU: What do you want to prove by the end of the summer?

JG: By the end of the summer I want to prove that I can play high level college basketball and be successful in it.

Griffith has been steady developing and is a top 40 player in our 2018 state rankings and we will continue to track Griffith’s recruitment. Check texasboysbasketball.com for news and notes and follow us on Twitter @TXboysbasketball and @ani_umana

 

Dallas Mustang Classic “It’s was a Hoopfest”

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The Dallas Mustang Classic is one of three local grassroot program based events that we (TBB) make an attempt to not miss.  I (Alan Branch) as longtime grassroots basketball advocate wish that the big three or four could come together on 3-4 solid dates to be inclusive of full field of area prospects.  This would create a incredible evaluation environment that the kids would truly benefit from.  Meanwhile the Dallas Mustangs Classic had competitive windows that quench the thirst of services/media entities

Vincent Lee, 2018 PF – Lone Star Elite: Lee had a double-double vs Dallas Showtyme on Sunday and he played hard on both ends. Lee is making a name for himself as a prospect.

JyDonn Griffith, 2018 PF – Lone Star Elite: Griffith was effective on the glass and defensively  blocking and altering shots. Griffith has consistently played well all weekend and also has in the past month.

Addison Wallace, 2018 PG – Lone Star Elite: Wallace is primed to have a big July. The guard scored off the bounce and facilitated the ball well and was huge in the second half against Showtyme, contributing to the last 8 points before OT.

Jase Townsend, 2018 PG – Dallas Mustangs: Townsend was on fire in the championship game as he scored 25 points with 15 coming in the first half. Townsend play was efficient as he got to his spots.

Devin Mitchell, 2018 PF – Dallas Mustangs: Mitchell competed and made plays on both ends. He shot the ball well and showcased defensive versatility.

Lamar Everd, 2018 SG – Dallas Mustangs: Everd had one of the most impressive showings this past weekend as he scored, facilitate and defended well. Had some highlight plays and was influential in Mustangs success this tournament.

Brendan Obineke, 2018 PF – Dallas Mustangs: Obineke length stands out and he used it to his advantage at the Mustangs Invitational. Made mid-range jumpers and rebounded well on both ends.

Jordan Phillips, 2018 SF – Dallas Showtyme: One game that stood out was Phillips game against Lone Star Elite as he took control of the game and got to the lane for a layup or drew a foul. Phillips showed why he is a top 10 player in his class in Texas.

Calvashawn Darthard, 2018 SG -Dallas Showtyme: Darthard showed his defensive abilities as he moved laterally and was active. Darthard also had solid offensive outings as he played his role and averaged about 9 points.

Grayson Carter, 2018 PF – Dallas Showtyme: Carter continued to show his inside and out game. Averaged a double-double this weekend and made clutch shots.

Matt Garigga, 2018 SG – Dallas Showtyme: Garriga shot the ball at a good percentage and did a good getting in position to make a play. Garriga is a player that we have been impressed with in the past two months and think the next live period will be good for him.

Donte Houston, 2020 PF – ProSkills: A long forward that can score off the dribble. Houston  made big plays late in games and is a prospect we will keep an eye on.

Sam Freeman, 2019 F – 3D-Wolverines: Freeman didn’t consistently get in a rhythm but he blocked shots and ran the floor well as he averaged a little over 2 blocks a game this weekend.

Max Abmas, 2019 G – 3D – Wolverines: Abmas can get hot quick and he showed that this weekend. He had a solid game against Peak Performance Pacers and on Saturday shot the ball over 45% from the field.

Sterling Hopkins, 2019 PG – Dallas Mustangs 16U: Hopkins managed the game well for his Mustangs squad and scored inside and out. Hopkins averaged about 6 assists a game on Sunday, leading his team to the championship game.

John Pereira, 2019 PF – Dallas Mustangs 16U: Pereira on Saturday had one of the best performances we’ve seen from him but couldn’t get in a rhythm on Sunday but Pereira showed what type of player can become.

Jarred Fields,  2018 PG – CYM: Fields had a strong showing this weekend as he scored and got his teammates involved. Fields shot at a high percentage on Sunday and made big plays for his CYM squad.

Kobe Jones, 2020 PG – Court of Dreams: Jones did a good job playing up and scoring off the dribble. Seen improved play from at the point guard. and scored in double figures in the games we got to watch him play.

Joshua King’Walker, 2020 PF – Texas Warriors: King’Walker showed versatility on both ends and filled the stat sheet in his Sunday morning games.

Tyreek Smith Talks Early Offers, Summer Goals

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Walking into Triple A Academy’s gym for Hoop DFW’s Esssential Camp, the first thing I see is this player rising above the rim for a dunk after securing a rebound. There I first saw 2019 Tyreek Smith and throughout that weekend, he showed what type of player he had the ability to if or when he put it all together.

Progress is Smith’s daily focus, as he wants to improve each day to reach his goal.
“I wake up everyday and work towards getting better than the day before so that I can put myself in position to provide a better life for my Mother and younger sister!” Smith said. “If I do my part, God will make a way for that.”

“My mentality is also totally different from a year ago. Now it’s simply give it my all and play with high energy every second that I am on the floor. I use to hit mental walls when I first started playing, but I’ve overcome that and able to digest more about the game even when I’m fatigued.”

Smith has shown improvement as a scorer on the perimeter and is able to stretch the floor on the offensive end. He credits his coach and mentor Hellion “Boog” Knight for his development.

What also has grown is Smith’s offer list as he gets used to the recruiting process this year.

“Currently, I have offers from TCU, Texas A&M, University of Louisiana at Lafayette,and SMU. As of right now it’s still pretty much a even level playing field as far as who’s been on me the most.”

“The recruiting process is new to me. I can’t lie, it’s exciting as well knowing there are people who think that much of me to offer to pay for my college education. I just have to keep working.”

Smith’s focus is to win and be known as a winner. Playing for Houston Hoops 17U team in the EYBL, Smith’s makeup and skill-set as has the staff intrigued on what he can be in the future.

“By the end of summer I want to prove that I am a winner! I play to win! I want everyone to respect me and my game as a player who leaves it all on the floor every game and just simply to maximize getting better everyday!”

 

Stock Riser: Kaden Archie talks Recruitment, Recent Play

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It seems that every class has a late bloomer that makes a big rise in his junior or senior year and for the 2018 class in Texas, Kaden Archie is that player.

TBB got the chance to talk to the 2018 guard who has received offers in the past two weeks from Texas Tech, Texas, SMU, LSU, Oklahoma State and more.

“They all have been on me pretty hard all trying to sell their program to me so hopefully I can set a couple of unofficials and go deeper and depth,” Archie said ” There all just coming in at once and it’s overwhelming but exciting and I’m grateful and blessed this is what I always wanted but now I’m just taking my time and evaluating all the schools.”

On the growth of his stock, Archie mentions hard work and working with a purpose as the key to his improvement.

“Hard work there’s really no secret to it for my improvement. just being hungry and doing every drill with a purpose,” Archie said. “I’ve improved my handle and jump shot as those were definitely the part of my game I put the most emphasis on and it’s starting to show  that I’ve been working on it.”

On what motivates Archie

“The people who doubted me some people didn’t think I can compete on a high level consistently and some people just looked past me.”

Archie will see a rise in our rankings as he is showing parts of his game that we see will translate to the next level. We will have updates on Archie’s recruitment so check texasboysbasketball.com on news and notes.

By: Ani Umana

GASO April 28-30 Recap

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The second weekend of the live period has just finished up and this weekend we were in Duncanville for the Great American Shootout. What players followed up a strong performance from the last live period weekend? What players showed us something new to their game? Who helped their stock from this weekend? Below is our top players from the GASO.

Robert Brown, 2018 PF – All 4 Sports Dream Team: Brown avg. a close double-double in the games we saw. Played with a high motor and competed on both ends.  It was good to see him back in TX.

Jock Hughes, 2018 G -All 4 Spors Dream Team: Hughes fills the stat sheet and in his game against F.I.R.M, he had a all-around strong performance in the scoring, rebounding and assist category. His all-around game stood out.

Xavier Bryant, 2018 PG – Texas Impact 4:13: Bryant’s play was impressive as a floor general as he consistently made the right plays on the court. He had a strong showing last weekend and continued his grand play at the GASO especially in his game against 3D Empire.

Samuell Williamson, 2019 SG – Texas Impact 4:13: Williamson is showing to be one of the top guards in his class in Texas. Offensively he was efficient and creating good shots for himself and is a key factor for Texas Impacts success.

DJ Thorpe, 2019 PF – TJ Ford: Thorpe impacts the game inside on both ends and in his team’s night game, he posted 22 points to go with 14 rebounds. Thorpe helped himself this weekend with his play.

Uche Dibiamaka, 2018 G – Stackz Elite: Uche is a physical guard that attacks the lane and finishes inside with contact. Dibiamaka showed his skill set last weekend at the Lonestar Invitational and at the GASO he continued his strong play.

Garret Wilson, 2019 G – TJ Ford: Wilson gets hot quick on offense. Against RM5 East in the semis on Sunday, Wilson had spurt of 10 straight games in the comeback win. Overall, Wilson played well on both ends and was key to leading his team to the championship game this weekend.

Grayson Carter, 2018 PF – Dallas Showtyme: Carter looked sluggish in spurts but overall, looking at his play the last two weekends, Carter had very solid outings. He made some key shots from the perimeter on Saturday and showcase his inside and outside offensive game.

Jordan Phillips, 2018 SF – Dallas Showtyme: Phillips in his game against Texas Impact showed his presence on the offensive end especially in the first half as he attacked the basket and his jumper was on. Phillips showed to be a willing passer and got his teammates involved but he still looks have a lot more in his tank if or when consistency shows up.

Grayson Early, 2018 SG – Blueprint: Early was shooting the ball well and he put up solid numbers each game offensively and defensively he did a solid job moving laterally. Early stock has seen a steady rise in the past few months.

Efe Odigie, 2018 PF – Houston Hoopstars: Odigie is a handful inside and scored inside efficiently all weekend and he takes what the defense gives him on the block. Odigie’s consistent play was good to see.

CJ Weathers, 2018 F – RM5 East: Weathers was a player last weekend that struggled to get a flow on the offensive end last weekend at the LoneStar Invitational but this weekend it seemed like it all came together as he scored at 50% from the field and showcased versatility on both ends. His play against Houston Topguns and TJ Ford caught my eye.

Ajare Sanni, 2018 G – Sanni Hoops: Sanni scores and scores in bunches. Led his team to a championship this weekend with 31 points against TJ Ford Austin and Sanni showcased his high level scoring ability this weekend.

Kristian Sjolund, 2018 F – Shooting Stars Red: Sjolund shot the ball well from the perimeter. Sjolund on Saturday compiled two strong games and against Sanni Hoops put up a double-double.

Jamal Gaines, 2018 PF – 3D Empire: Gaines extended his range from three and shot the ball from the perimeter at a high percentage. Gaines motor on both weekends was great to see and in Duncanville he continued to showcased his versatility.

KJ Pruitt, 2020 G – Seawolves: Pruitt did a good job holding his own playing in the 17U division. The lefty has good size and was aggressive attacking the basket. His Friday night game and Saturday morning games, Pruitt was impactful  in the Seawolves wins.

Samuel Onwu, 2021 C – Yes II Success: Onwu controlled the paint defensively in YIIS three wins this weekend. Onwu is a big with a high motor and protects the paint well. For an 8th grader, Onwu made an impact in the NBA Division of the GASO.

 

(College coach report/evaluations 

By: A. Umana

Edited: AB

Family Motivation: The David Nzekwesi Story

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I got the chance to talk to 2018 David Nzekwesi and the forward from Netherlands has seen his offer sheet rise with Lamar, Abilene Christian, New Hampshire, Oral Roberts, Rice and Air Force in a span of ten days.

Nzekwesi talks about what motivates him and the key component to his continued developments.

“I believe that God is a major part of my development because without him nothing is possible.  I just want to thank my coaches and family supporting me through this process because it really isn’t easy moving continents money wise,” Nzekwesi said. ” I’m just so thankful that my mom is keeping me right and always happy and positive and she is what drives me because I don’t want her to come out of pocket for college.”

His impressive play at Byron Nelson this year caught a couple of coaches eye especially after posting an 20 point, 20 rebound game against Richardson, where he got four offers within 24 hours afterwards which included North Texas, UT-Arlington, Stephen F. Austin and Texas State.

Nzekwesi goal is to not be a under the radar player in his class, but to be in the top of his class this time next year.

“I want to be considered a top 10 player in my class in Texas and I know I have the ability to show that, Nzekwesi said. “I don’t like doing anything if I’m not first or considered one of the best so I continue to work hard to show my worth.”

Nzekwesi plays for Triumph in the Adidas Silver division and we will continue to follow Nzekwesi’s recruiting and his breakdown of his top schools in the upcoming months. Follow us on Twitter @Txboysbasketball and @ani_umana for news and updates and check texasboysbasketball.com for content!

By: Ani Umana

Edited By: AB

Adidas Uprising Recap

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Parking was limited, fans, players and college coaches a plenty on each court as the Adidas Uprising began its first stop in Dallas. The live period in grassroots basketball allows players to make a name for themselves and gain a offer. Here are our top Texas players from the first stop of the Adidas Gauntlet.

Jae Ledee, 2018 F, Texas Pro: LeDee had 15 points in his team’s win vs D1 Minnesota and avg 14 pts, 7 rebs in four games. He showcased his offensive versatility and was physical inside.

Kendric Davis, 2018 PG, Texas Pro: Davis ran the point well this weekend for Texas Pro. Quick with the ball and scores when needed.

Kaden Archie, 2018 SG, Urban DFW: Archie wanted to make a statement this weekend and he did just that. Averaged 17 pts, 4 rebs and 2 assists a game. Not just offensively but defensively he played very well.

Kennedy Milton, 2018 PG, Urban DFW: Milton, scoring wise couldn’t seem to get a consistent flow going, but he impacted the game in other ways such as on defense and setting up his teammates for open shots.

Charles Bassey, 2019 PF–YIIS: Bassey was very influential in Yes to Success 4-0 record in Dallas. His presence inside on both ends make him tough to contain and he showed why he is the top of his class. Against 22 Vision, he had 23 points on 90% shooting.

Ousmane Ndim, 2019 C-YIIS: Ndim growth as a player is showing. Having solid outings in each game he played and his shotblocking abilities altered shots.

Samuel Chaput, 2018 PG-YIIS: Chaput shot the ball at a high percentage this weekend at 68%. Chaput is a 2018 guard to know.

Grant Sherfield, 2019 PG–YGC36: Sherfield avg 22 points this weekend and every matchup, Sherfield seemed to step up when they needed him too.

Jalen Wilson, 2019 G-YGC36: Wilson played with a high intensity and offensively he scored inside and out. Wilson against New World had 18 points & 4 rebounds in the win.

Brock Cunningham, 2018 F-Urban ASAK: Cunningham showcased why he is recognized as one of the top forwards and players in general in his class. In the four games, he averaged 23 points and 11 rebounds. His shot was on and off but Cunningham got good looks and plays with a high IQ.

Darius McBride, 2019 SG-Urban ASAK: McBride played multiple positions on offense and defense and contributed. Solid athlete that can fill the stat sheet.

Greg Brown, 2020 F-Basketball University: Brown held his own as a freshman playing in the 17U as he averaged a double-double this weekend. Brown has a chance to be a special player.

Quentin Grimes, 2018 G-Basketball University: Grimes offensive game wasn’t as efficient as normal but still effected the game in other ways. In his second game, Grimes shot was on and had over 20 points in win vs Ohio Basketball Club.

Complete 94′ Sunday Top Players and Notes

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At the Complete 94′ hosted by Hardwork, Saturday showed our staff that there is a lot of talent in the San Antonio/Austin area. On Sunday, the play from the underclassmen caught our eye. Here are our top performers from Sunday and some notes from the weekend overall.

Anderson Kopp, 2019 SG-Houston Defenders:  Kopp shot the ball well from deep. He made four threes in his first game on Sunday and Kopp intensity on both ends of the floor is influential to his team’s success.

Cameron Cohn, 2019 G-Houston Defenders: Cohn showcased what he does best and that is knock down perimeter jumpers. Cohn was efficient in his games today and He showed why he is one of the top guards in his class in Houston.

Kalib Boone, 2019 F-Oklahoma PWP: Boone plays with a lot of energy and we like that. His presence in he paint on both ends was critical for PWP’s success on Sunday.

Jahmius Ramsey, 2019 G- Hardwork: Ramsey had strong performances on Saturday and that continued on Sunday. A player that is primed for a big live period showing and one of the top guards in Dallas for 2019.

Jalen Jackson, 2019 PG-Hardwork: Jackson did a good job managing the floor. Avg at least five assists in the games we watched him play and Jackson continues to be effective on both ends.

Hayden Hefner, 2020 SG-Houston Defenders: Hefner had a seven point stretch where he showcased his overall game with a dunk on a drive to the baseline, a layup and a three pointer. Against BMM, he had 14 points.

Quevian Adger, 2020 F-BMM: Adger against the Houston Defenders made big plays in the second half and overtime. He was in attack mode on offense and was able to get to the rim. Adger finished the game with 18 points, with 12 coming in after the first half.

Caleb Lohner, 2020 F-BMM: Lohner again impresses. His versatility on offense allows BMM to go mix and match on lineups. Lohner’s play this weekend opened some eyes.

Bryce Thompson, 2020 G- Oklahoma PWP: Thompson makes another appearance on our recap and in his first game he scored 32 points in his team’s close win. Thompson got hot in spurts and had stretches where it looked like he couldn’t miss.

 

Miller Kopp Continues to Shine for Houston Defenders

Kopp had quality performances in his games on Sunday and is looking to make a climb in our rankings. He scored well and showed toughness on the boards. Kopp’s stock can see a rise this spring/summer.

Inside Presence for Yes II Success

The front-court of 2018 James Jean-Marie, 2019 Charles Bassey & Ousmane Ndim make life tough for players to score in the paint and allows YIIS to get more points in the paint. Jean-Marie plays with a lot of energy and is versatile on both ends. Ndim is becoming a viable option on the block and protects the paint well and Bassey has the ability to dominate games especially when he is locked in and aggressive with the ball.

Oklahoma PWP Backcourt Impresses

2018 Keyshawn Embery & Trey’Von Hopkins form a potent backcourt for PWP as Embery showed the ability to score in bunches and Hopkins showcased his athleticism and shot making abilities. When both of them are clicking and on the same page, that’s when PWP is at its best. Embery and Hopkins are at the top of their class in Oklahoma.

 

Complete 94 Feet Day One (San Antonio, TX)

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San Antonio, the capital of Central Texas still thrives to own its roll in a mega state like Texas.  The mentality that the 4 & 5 Star players have to go to a DFW or Houston area teams to prove their worth has slowly evaporated.  San Antonio Hardwork wasn’t a lot different than many of the upstarts in the central region of TX but their actions have allow them to separate themselves from the pack.  Complete 94 Feet is one of their signature moves with an event that signifies quality over quantity.  After five years of existence a sense expectancy looms every spring in anticipation of the “Complete 94 Feet”. Hardwork holds the honor of the first full blown sneaker contract team in central TX/San Antonio. In spite of all the high level players San Antonio has produced, (From Shaq to  Jordan Clarkson) Hardwork is the first. This year with the exit of 2018 Gerald Lidell to Dallas , the “Complete 94 Feet” has more prospects than ever that polish this event into one of the best kept secrets in TX.  Day one was a short day but the five game slate  on court one harvested strong crop of 2019’s with a good group of 2018’s and some promising 2020’s.

Russel Barlow, 2018 C-Hardwork: Barlow averaged a double-double in two games. A big contributor in the paint for Hardwork and is continually improving.

Trey’Von Hopkins, 2018 CG-Oklahoma PWP: Hopkins was in a zone on offense as the athletic guard had a strong outing vs Yes II Success.

Samuel Chaput, 2018-YIIS: Chaput came off the bench and was very productive in his minutes. His game against PWP was one of the best performances from a point guard on Friday. He continues to show how under rated he is in the state of TX.

Larry Wise, 2018 SG-YIIS: Wise was looking to attack when the ball was in his hands. Against Hardwork, Wise aggressive play with key in second half run for YIIS.

Charles Bassey, 2019 PF-YesIISuccess: Bassey showed why he is the top of his class. His presence on both ends was pivotal in YIIS going 2-0 on Friday.

Kevin McCullar, 2019 SG/SF-Hardwork: McCullar was efficient today scoring wise. The guard/forward from Wagner HS is looking to have a breakout Spring/Summer.

Jahmius Ramsey, 2019 CG-Hardwork: Ramsey, we are high on and in the two games for Hardwork, he had solid scoring outputs plus decent assist numbers in both games. Ramsey is one of the top guards in 2019 in Texas.

Victor Iwuakor, 2019 PF-Hardwork: Jaws dropped when Iwuakor would go for a block or dunk. He doesn’t need to score to be effective and Iwuakor plays his role very well for Hardwork.

Bryce Thompson, 2020 CG-Oklahoma PWP: Thompson is a freshman but holds several offers already. Guard that went hot in the second half for his team.

Jahari Long, 2020 PG-Team Simms: Like how unselfish Long plays and he has good size at the point guard position. One of the top guards in Houston in his class.

Caleb Lohner, 2020 SF-BMM: Lohner has grown in statue and IQ that allows his skill set to shine. He had a big game against Hardwork with 20 points and played through a second half injury.

Micah Peavy, 2020 SG/SF: Peavy had a stretch in his second game that showed his ability to affect the game on both ends while making teammates better. When Peavy showcases everything he can do, he is a matchup problem with a developing upside to impact the state.

By: Ani Umana 

Edited by: TBB

Texas Invitational (Pasadena, TX)

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The Texas Invitational answers the bell for the 14th time as a staple in Texas high school basketball.  The Texas Invitational is no different than any other major event in basketball, “who are the players and whats the story”.  Forty-eight high school teams, two divisions that move to six brackets that split into twelve brackets after the initial two pool games on Thursday.  One  of our fundamental beliefs at Texas Boys Basketball is that teams house players and players make up teams. It is a a lot like the chicken and the egg both are necessary, but at TBB we tend to focus on the players.  This year there were 27 prospects that were either house names or absolute eye catchers. Twenty-seven prospects is enough to keep me busy over three days but there was one class of 2018 question that had to be answered.  Who is the the number one play in the class 2018 in the state of Texas?  6’4 1/2″ point guard Quinten Grimes 2018  was a priority at 9:30 am on Thursday morning.  The opportunity for Grimes to open up against Lancaster HS lead by 2017 PG T. J. Starks (Texas A & M signee) was huge. Going into the TX Invitational Pasadena, TX Grimes was clearly was one of the five best ones in 2018. Three days of observation brought clarity to Grimes position as the number one 2018 prospect in Texas.  Grimes is a complete package of size, skill, and athleticism. His ability to score in bunches,  find teammates in both transition and half court settings allow Grimes to be a consistent threat.  It is clear that Quinten puts forth maximum effort in maintaining team chemistry as he grows his clutch gene.  Quinten looks to be on a progressive tract while scoring 25-35 points, 4-7 rebounds, with 5-8 assist per game.  Grant Sherfield 2019 PG was as poised and steady as any player in the field.

img_0935 Grant took every opportunity availability to utilize a complete group of player around

Cream of the Crop 2020/2021

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The opportunity to see another group (class of 2020) step into the status of prospect was exciting experience this year.  The Cream of the Crop Camp formerly know as the Acie Law Camp introduced its sixth class to what it takes at the next level (H.S). Milton Barnes (Play Right Basketball) lead the curriculum in the 8 hours of both on/off the court teaching to give the young fellas some idea of what success looks and sounds like. PLAY RIGHT BASKETBALL is predicated on teaching IQ and  understanding how to play recruitable basketball.  When ever I watch 12,13 &14 year old kids there is a lot of box checking, projection and most of all inventory assessments.  The kids were expose to coach ability, NCAA initial eligibility, offensive reads, defensive angles, spacing and movement w/o the ball, all the foundation of playing recruitable basketball. Twenty players played in the Top 20 game but in my observation there were a few others.  The one thing we tried to stress with parents, guardians, club coaches and kids, is that it is a long way to spring of of 2020. The questions is how are you the player going to spend your time on/off the courts. Here are a few observations (not evaluations) on some of the consistent performers.

Gavin Thornton    2021                       5’6″           PG               M.S.

Solid ball skills going both ways, developing feel for leadership, scored some. Learning to be a point guard.

Jim Cofer                 2021                       6’1″           Forward    M.S.

Developing perimeter player that found some success. Effort was the story of his camp. Looking forward to seeing more.

Julian Larry            2020                      6’0″          PG

Consistently competed. A strong tough guard that showed some mid range feel of the bounce. He defended with leadership and purpose.

Jamor Mallard       2020                      6’2″          WF

Jamor was at his best in transition, he finished in traffic and through contact.

Jack Slaughter       2021                       6’6″          Center       M.S.

High energy post that ran the floor and contested shots, rebounded on both ends in and out of his area. He also showed a developing ability to score over both shoulders.

Kylil Anderson      2020                       6’2″           WF

Kylil was solid all around player on both ends. He rebounded and competed on both ends also scored some from 12-15 ft. with solid wing ball skills.

Caleb Lohner         2020                       6’6″           3/2

Lots of talent and ability with tremendous upside as his understanding develops. Caleb demonstrated that he could consistently score 22ft to the and above the rim. Showed good developing ball skills in the open court.

Tyler Pinder          2021                        5’8              PG                    M.S.

Tyler show the posture and understanding that could allow him to be a true point guard. He was a willing defender with good understanding of team concept. His speed and IQ are his best assets as he develops.

Traejon Davis       2020                        6’4″           Forward 

One of the most versatile players at camp.  Coach’s dream, guarded all five position. He scored and rebounded with the desire to win.

Colton Benson     2021                         5’8″            2/1 Guard        M.S.

Showed to be the best shooter at camp on Saturday but also demonstrated some understanding of spacing and team defense. Ball skills and confidence were really good for a young kid.

Journey Phillips  2020                        6’1″            SG 

Good size guard with solid skill set and effort that makes plays. Must play more to learn and develop feel.

Darryl Brown       2020                        6’4″           Forward 

Played with strong skill set 12-15 ft. Solid instinctive player and good rebounder. Developing defender.

Ben Joelson          2020                       6’5″             WF

Good polished player, skilled for his age. Energy was good and look for opportunities with and without the ball.

Cole Roberts         2021                       6’1″              4/3                  M.S.

Score around paint and in short corner effectively. Must improve feet defensively and ball skills, IQ look to be ahead of his skill set.

Mekai Pope           2020                     5’10”             Guard

Played with poise, solid ball skills, decent passer, shot the 3-ball and finished in the paint.

Kevin Credit         2020                     5’5″                PG    

Scoring point guard that made other better. Leadership developing. Made open shots.

Langston Love      2021                    6’3″                 WF                   M.S.

Good player.  Made 3’s, attacked the rim with success and was aggressive/competitive on both ends.

Rebounded anywhere his team needed.

Lafayette Pate        2021                   5’7″                  Guard             M.S.

Solid kid that passed and scored some.  Played hard on defense and made open jump shots.

Darious Whittington 2020            6’1″                  Wing    

Talented wing with versatility in all (3) perimeter positions. Nature feel for offense’s.  Developing rebounder and defender.

Elijah Stephens        2021                 5’3″                  PG                    M.S. 

A fast guard that was effective in open space. Developing good on ball defender. Understands how to get separation from bigger/stronger defenders.

Others:

Carlos  Miller            2020                5’9″                   PG

Point guard clearly knew who and what he is. As his strength improves or body catches up with his IQ he will become more confident.

Dakota Sterling        2020                6’2″                   SF

Strong body player that was up and down but showed flashes of being a good player on both ends.

Dallas Hobbs             2022                5’6″                   PG                     M.S. 

The high IQ guard was the youngest player at camp.  He must continue to understand how to manage in close quarters with bigger stronger guys.  His hard work is definitely showing up.

 

      

 

 

The Three Headed Monster (Las Vegas, NV)

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Day 3 (Fri.): There were six events during the final evaluation period in vegas although  Fab 48, Bigfoot and Adidas Championships continue to house 97% of the recruitable players from Texas. NY2LA required two hours a day of attention with top players like Jaden LaDee 2018 and Marcus Garrett 2017 and their teams make for 6-8 legit college prospects.  In a discussion with Hoop Scoop’s Clark Francis the water down growing team aspect nature of the business, it requires lot energy and driving to lay eyes on the prospects. Here are a few we saw in 11 games:

Jones Shuts It Down in the Capital

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Andrew Jones 6’4″ 185 pg brings his recruitment to a comfort zone. Andrew is another Texas prospect that clarity came late for. The high major lead guard grew 4 inches and gain 35 pounds in the last 16 months. We remember the 5’10” shooter at the Texas Grassroots Basketball events 3 years ago that was constantly competing and looking for an opportunity. The reality of his talent has resonated with the country now and the University of Texas/ HC Shaka Smart are the beneficiaries.

So many times in recruiting the hardest worker doesn’t get the player but this time hard work paid off. Andrew said, “I actually looked forward to coach’s calls. He always had infomation that made me better both on and off the court.” “I can’t wait to play for this guy.” Assistant coach David Cason and H.C. Smart locked in and now they have number three done with some more work out there.

Andrew discussed how he got to this point. Jones said, “Man, my dad has been everything for me in basketball. He showed and taught me on and off the court everyday.”  “Having a sister (Alexis Jones-Baylor) like Alexis that could always get it across to me. A mother that was no nonsense and competitive provided me with everything I could hope for to be a player.”

Andrew is averaging 28 pts,10 rebs, and 7 ast. thus far this season. The three year varsity starter has developed from ground up right before our eyes the right way. In todays society where it is more about the frosting than the cake, Andrew has shown to be a player about substance. Andrew said, “Now I can get back to work without any distractions and get better.”  “I want to work at getting stronger and lower on defense, also on offense with the ball.” “The pick and roll is something I am a constant student of.”

Andrew continues his high school career at Irving MacArthur after losing in the 5A state semi-finals last year. His hopes are of hanging as many championship banners as he can before he is done. He spent his first 6 years playing for his father Head Coach David Jones and Texas Express. Jones spent one cycle on the EYBL with Jeff Webster and ProSkills.
Twitter: @AXJ_10

Nate Morris Finds Home in the SEC

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The 6’10” 250 lb. Morris has not been a stranger in the DFW prep/grassroots basketball landscape.  I have watched him grow for the last four years into legit high major prospect.  Morris said “I understand the up and down nature of the business, so I control two things: playing and defending hard.” “I have to continue to develop my body and skill set.”  Nate Morris sits at the #10 spot on Texasboysbasketball.com (where the top 20-24 players go to a BCS conference) but could easily move up with the upcoming high school opportunity to repeat as 5A state champion.  Lancaster is loaded with D1 prospects relatively speaking in the context of a high school program.
Morris expressed that the recruiting process has been up and down, therefore when it got down to decision time he look at people he felt a level of comfort with.  University of San Diego, Tulsa and Ole Miss were the three he selected from but the opportunity to play in the SEC against a lot of other DFW natives and good competition was enough to convince him that University of Mississippi (Ole Miss-Oxford, MS) was the place for him.
Nate Morris said, “I love my mother for always being there for me no matter good days or bad, she has missed only (3) of my games that I recall.”  The Dallas Mustang program ( Tony Johnson and Steve Miles) was Nate’s home from the 6th grade. Lancaster high school and Ferron Douglass have been his home for all four years (completing his 4th year now) of his H.S. career.  That says a lot in these days and time.

TBB Day 1 & 2 Duncanville, TX

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The second segment of the July evaluation period keeps college coaches scrambling for airports, rental cars and interstate highways. Once again the Lone Star state (TX) provided another quality option to be a destination for PLAYERS ! The Texas Boys Basketball staff of three got locked for the 1:45 pm start with the Urban DFW-Perkins vs. D1 Elite being the kickoff feature. The older 2017 guard tandem of Curshank and Starks was to much for one of the most talented 2018 groups in the country. Gerald Lidell 6’7″ wing, 2018, #9 ESPN national and top 3 Texas Boys Basketball, Rusell Barlow 6’9″ 4/5 top 10 TBB and 5 other top 20 TBB guys was clean look and good start. Day one of pool play we were able to see 26 teams for a half or more.

Top Performers:

– Fabian White (6’7″/2017/PF)

White continues to play at a high level on both sides of the ball. White utilized his length defensively and utilized his feet to create position early offensively. White’s aggression combined with his fundamentals and basketball IQ make him a tough cover for any opponent.

– Andrew Jones (6’4″/2016 CG)

Andrew has grown two inches and continue to prove the combo guard title from July 8th thru pool play July 17th back home in DFW. He is playing well but still showed crazy upside.

– Clevon Brown (6’7″/2016 PF)

Clevon was consist on both days of pool play the undersized PF showed flashes of a Quincey Acey clone.  The intelligent well spoken kid you get in the interview transforms to beast mode with developing feel and skill set.

– Jarrett Allen (6’10″/2016 4/5)

Allen continues his tear, proving game after game why TBB considers him the top player in the state of Texas. From step throughs to jump hooks and monster dunks Allen will make a coach very happy next year.

– Adrio Bailey (6’6″/2016 PF)

Bailey the very bouncy power forward continuously brought his high energy above the rim play every time he stepped on the court. Bailey finished some big time dunks.

 

Texas Only McDonald’s All-American

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This is a dream come true” said Juwan Evans as we sat in a nearly empty section of The  United Center during McDonald’s All American media day. “It’s a dream to be here but it is also an opportunity to show what I can do competing against the best players in the country.” Juwan an Oklahoma State signee is the only All-American from Texas this year. “It’s a real honor to be the only player selected from Texas, with all the good players we have in the state of Texas to be the only one selected is a humbling.” Although Evans is the only player selected from Texas this year to play in the McDonalds game, Evans is not originally from Texas. Evans grew up in South Carolina attending his first two years of high school at Legacy Charter before his family moved to Dallas and got to play for legendary Kimball head coach Royce “Snoop” Johnson. “ I have had so many blessings in my life, especially playing for Coach Snoop that one year, he is an amazing coach and even better person. Not a lot of people get to play for a coach who has won six state championships. This year without him on the sideline he has been great, talking to me about the game but more importantly talking to me about life.”

Evans has showcased his talent over and over again throughout his time in Dallas. He played a nationally competitive high school schedule and played on the EYBL all summer. Evans is a pure point guard with a lot of strengths and few weaknesses. When asking about what he perceived the biggest strength of his game, Evans replied, “ I see the game, I love making plays for teammates, and I am never scared to take big shots.” Evans is an extremely humble and kind young man and is a great representative of the high school basketball in the state of Texas. Basketball needs more young men like Juwan Evans.

SLXLM