PrimeTime Sports D-Town Showdown: Standouts (Part 1)

<p>Texas is loaded with talent. There are so many well-run grassroots programs located in the state that it’s becoming difficult to keep track of them all, and the number continues to grow. I got the opportunity to see a ton of underrated prospects this past weekend while attending PrimeTime Sports D-Town Showdown at the Advantage Sports Complex in Carrollton, Texas. </p> <p>With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few individuals who caught my eye:</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1009435" first="Kenny" last="Hardy"] | 2021 Power Forward/Center | HG Elite Chad | MacArthur HS</strong> - The 6’6" big man might be considered undersized for a post, but Hardy’s versatility more than makes up for his size. His footwork down low is outstanding, his arsenal of post moves is impressive, and his touch around the rim is solid. He is a jab step specialist who can beat you off the dribble or pull up and launch it from behind the arc. Defensively, he can protect the rim without fouling and chases down rebounds. The soon-to-be senior is wildly underrated in my opinion.</p> <p><strong>Elijah McBath | 2021 Combo Guard | DC Kings Denton 17U | Denton Ryan HS</strong> - McBath is fascinating. He has an explosive first step and is insanely quick despite possessing a stocky yet strong build. He is brilliant as a distributor. I saw him thread the needle for flashy assists on numerous occasions. He is a twitchy ball handler who can shake off defenders with ease to get past them or free himself up for a three. The exciting guard is a ton of fun to watch and has the ability to earn himself some attention from D2 programs. </p> <p><strong>Kerrington Hughes | 2021 Shooting Guard | DC Kings Denton 17U | Denton Ryan HS</strong> - Hughes is a sharpshooting two guard. He thrives from the catch and proved that he can drill triples on the break as well as in half court sets. He has a knack for getting himself open off the ball. Beyond that, I liked the way he finished through contact when attacking the basket. The 6-foot-3-inch guard even nailed a three while being fouled. </p> <p><strong>Terrance Sanders | 2021 Center | Team United Texas 17U White | Plano West HS</strong> - Sanders competes hard at both ends. He is wise enough to take advantage of mismatches when he has them. He dominated as a rim protector, emphatically blocking numerous shots off the backboard. The 6’7" big man excels at diving to the hoop in pick-and-roll situations and finishes over the top of defenders. </p> <p><strong>Jurmayne Moore | 2021 Combo Guard | NTX Bulls | Wylie HS</strong> - Moore is somewhat of an unknown. However, he performed extremely well this weekend and absolutely deserves a spot on this list. He is an undersized guard with a wide frame. His crafty handles and ability to drain jumpers make him difficult to defend. His mid-range game is great and his shooting from three-point land is consistent. He can also score with floaters. </p> <p><strong>Jaden Robinson | 2022 Forward | HG Elite Chad | Episcopal School of Dallas</strong> - After doing some digging around online, I discovered in addition to basketball, Robinson is a hard-hitting single-high safety for his high school’s football team. It is evident in his build, as he is a tall and strong kid who is incredibly smooth on the floor. Robinson is a superb athlete. He has a diverse package of skills. He can hit the three ball but also finishes in the paint. Furthermore, he is dynamic as a passer in both transition and the half court. </p> <p><strong>CJ Holmes | 2023 Point Guard | Higher Goals Les | Grapevine HS</strong> - Holmes is a bit on the shorter side, but that doesn’t seem to hinder his performance on the court. The floor general handles the ball well and showed that he is a precise facilitator. His size also didn’t appear to be an issue on defense, as he consistently made plays on that side of the floor, including some clean blocks against much taller opponents. </p> <p><strong>Russell Paul | 2023 Power Forward | Higher Goals Les | Grapevine HS</strong> - Paul is listed at 6’5" on the roster I was sent. He is still raw, but his upside should be tremendous due to his physical tools and instincts as a rebounder. He high points the ball like a receiver hauling in a goal-line fade. He contributes on the glass at both ends and often trails in transition for easy putbacks at the rim. </p>