EXOS Top 50 Event: Small Forwards

This is my detailed coverage of the hands-on look I got at the EXOS Top 50 Event going on in Frisco, Texas. These kids all played their hearts out, got a great experience, good exposure and all helped their stocks rise. Be on the lookout for the rest of my coverage of this event!   [player_tooltip player_id="787337" first="Mitchell" last="Holmes"] 2023 SF 6’6 (Southern Assault Basketball) Oakridge Arlington [caption id="attachment_1054801" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/exos-3.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1054801" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/exos-3-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a> Photo: EXOS[/caption] Mitchell is an incredibly dynamic long athlete with a real potential to be a great player at the NBA level. I was blown away with his basketball IQ, work ethic and tenacity during this event. He intelligence on the basketball court impressed me, constantly making the right reads, filling into open spots within the offense, using his size to bully guards and his agility and length to put bigger posts on skates. His all-around game is so raw without a consistent set of moves, yet he is still so skilled. I would like to see continued development on his outside in, work on getting comfortable in the midrange and from behind the arc. What really stood out to me was his demeanor and intensity. I could tell he was upset with himself for missing a few open threes during the last game and despite a great all-around game driving into the lane and creating for his teammates he was mad. As the camp is concluding all the kids are laying down waiting for the director to speak and wrap up the camp, yet Holmes is no where to be found. Quickly scanning the gym, I found him working on a back court getting three pointers up from all the spots he missed in game. Not leaving until he made three in a row from each spot. Be on the lookout for this kid to be able to have a real impact at the next level, already boasting an offer from Stanford, [player_tooltip player_id="787337" first="Mitchell" last="Holmes"] has a shot to be great.   Rytis Peraltis 2021 6’6 Small Forward Oakridge High School (Arlington) <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/exos-4.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1054785 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/exos-4-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a> Photo: EXOS Rytis is a sniping sharpshooter with a great all-around game. He is about 6’6 already with long arms and an ability to shoot over just about any guard who tries to contest him. He is a strong finisher in the paint with both hands, even against stout competition down low. I was the most surprised with his fluidity to his ball handling and ability to beat people off the dribble. He is an intelligent player who seems to recognize when he has shifted a defender’s weight enough to shoot over them. He displayed some impressive one dribble side steps, step backs and step ins to keep the second defenders off balance as they came over to contest him. He has all the tools to be an effective offensive weapon at the next level, I would not be surprised to see him play Division one basketball. I would like to see continued development on the defensive end, because if he can become a lock down defender who can guard 1-4 and he can shoot the way he can? All I have to say is look out.   [player_tooltip player_id="1047565" first="Jaden" last="Robinson"] 2021 6’5 Small Forward IL Texas Arlington High School <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/exos-mvp.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1054783 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/exos-mvp-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a> <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/mvp-dunk.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1054806 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/mvp-dunk-300x296.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="296" /></a> Photos: EXOS Jaden is an impressive wing with great size, athleticism and leaping ability. He is great with a live dribble and creates so well for his teammates. He is an elite play maker for his size, and he makes everyone around him better. He was taught the game the right way, always keeping his head up to make the next pass and the right read. I was very impressed with his ability to finish through defenders and even showed off a little with some dominant dunks in transition. He has a decent set shot but it obviously needs more work, as well as a shot off the dribble. If he can incorporate both of those things into his game and become a true three level scorer, the sky is the limit for this kid. I really like the way he stepped up in this environment, in a room full of alphas it was clear he was the real deal, playing with tenacity and energy and helped get the best out of everyone there.   Charles Walker 2020 6’4 Small Forward IL Texas Arlington High School Charles is a creative wing who sees the floor well. I was impressed by his ability to hunt for his own shot while routinely finding his teammates for open spot up opportunities or shots underneath the rim. He has very advance post moves and is a skilled finisher around the rim and a consistent shooter in the mid range. He is a great rebounder for his size and battles well with other big men. I would like to see him incorporate more outside shooting into his game, as well as work on his handle to keep the ball tighter to his body when he drives.   Drake Hurley 2021 6’2 SF Rains High School (Emory, TX) Drake is an impressive three sport athlete (playing football, baseball and basketball) who just so happens to be a deadly set shooter. He is an elite athlete who moves well up and down the court. He plays engaged defense with long arms and he plays the game with true intensity. I would like to see more skill with a live dribble and to see him incorporate more creativity into his finishes. He has all the tools to be successful at whichever sport he chooses.   Khristian Johnson 2023 SG O’Connell High School (Galveston) <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/khristian-Johnson.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1055560 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/khristian-Johnson-300x179.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="179" /></a> Photo: EXOS Khristian is an incredibly well-built athlete for such a young age, the two-sport athlete (who also plays quarterback and safety for his high school) is an athletic freak who thrives on drawing contact and dishing out punishment around the rim. He finishes so well for his age, and even against older and bigger competition he bullied other guards and sometimes wings at the rim! His dominant built and all around feel for the game reminds me a lot of a score first version of Draymond Green, as he is crafty and intelligent in finding passes for his teammates. He is a decent set shooter but thrives on getting downhill and collapsing the defense and making the right reads.