<p>For the second straight weekend, AAU basketball was played in Dallas. After a great first weekend with the Dallas Showtyme Classic, it was Great American Shootout’s turn to host a tournament at the Duncanville Fieldhouse. This tournament featured countless talented teams and I had the opportunity to take in the action on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.</p>
<p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/DSC_0160.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1005479 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/DSC_0160-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/DSC_0162.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1005484 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/DSC_0162-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">[player_tooltip player_id="889566" first="Ryan" last="Agarwal"] and [player_tooltip player_id="889576" first="Anthony" last="Black"] - 3D Empire</strong></p>
<p>[player_tooltip player_id="889566" first="Ryan" last="Agarwal"] and [player_tooltip player_id="889576" first="Anthony" last="Black"] combine to make one of the best backcourts in the state. Agarwal and Black are summer teammates for 3D Empire but they also go to the same school and play together for Coppell. While Agarwal is one of the best shooters in the state, Black is an excellent slasher and finisher. Black is also a great defender and a fierce competitor. Having these two on the court at the same time is a matchup nightmare for other teams as they can hurt you in every way possible on the offensive end. Agarwal and Black form one of the best one-two punches in the state and put on a show every time that they take the court.</p>
<p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/DSC_0004.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1006560 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/DSC_0004-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/DSC_0009.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1006561 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/DSC_0009-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="779864" first="Imo" last="Essien"] and [player_tooltip player_id="684406" first="Jalen" last="Lake"] - Texas Impact 4:13</strong></p>
<p>Essien and Lake are two of the best guards in DFW and form a deadly backcourt for Texas Impact. While Essien runs point guard and facilitates, Lake runs the two guard and moves without the ball to get open for three’s. Essien found Lake on the perimeter countless times over the course of the weekend and this often resulted in three points for Texas Impact. Essien has excellent vision and can score at all three levels. They are both solid defenders and forced many turnovers. When Lake and Essien are both hitting shots, watch out.</p>
<p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/DSC_0196.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1007173 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/DSC_0196-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/DSC_0098.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1007161 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/DSC_0098-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="959418" first="Donovan" last="Hernandez"] and [player_tooltip player_id="959416" first="Kobe" last="Wiggins"] - FOE 17U Elite</strong></p>
<p>The backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id="959418" first="Donovan" last="Hernandez"] and [player_tooltip player_id="959416" first="Kobe" last="Wiggins"] took FOE all the way to the championship and was a whole lot to handle. Although both of them are exceptional ball handlers and facilitators, Hernandez is better with the ball in his hands and is excellent at creating for his teammates. Wiggins is also a good passer but what intrigued me most about Wiggins was his ability to get to the basket and finish around the rim. In the championship game against Texas Impact, Wiggins finished with 19 points and seemed to be unstoppable when going downhill. Likewise, Hernandez is also a solid finisher around the basket. Hernandez also is a good three-point shooter and seemingly automatic from the corners. Both of these guards were interchangeable for the one and two slots for FOE and are a deadly combo. </p>
<p> </p>
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading
Already a subscriber?
Log in