Hidden Gems of Arlington, Tx (Part 4 of 4)
Here we analyze some of the best, most skilled, and most talented recruits out of Arlington, Texas that have been flying under the radar the past few years. All of these guys are unranked, but a few of them will…
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Continue ReadingHere we analyze some of the best, most skilled, and most talented recruits out of Arlington, Texas that have been flying under the radar the past few years. All of these guys are unranked, but a few of them will be on our rankings board in no time while the others will likely have a breakout season this year.
| Donovan Kinney | Combo Guard | Arlington Martin | 2021 |
This senior Arlington Martin guard is a well-rounded, all-around ballplayer with good versatility, he’s switchable on both ends on the floor. Donovan may not be the most athletic or most explosive but he makes up for it with his basketball savvy and fundamentals of the game. A solid contributor across the board, Kinney can play in all tempos of the game, fast or slow, due to his instinctual decision making. He’s a smart player that knows how to keep his turnovers to a minimum, take smart shots, and he doesn’t make many mistakes defensively either. Kinney shows good anticipation, he sees the court well, and makes the right pass more often than not. Good facilitating skills, Donovan will usually either hit his guys in stride or put the ball in a good spot for them to score. Nice shooting touch when spotting up from deep, especially around the wing and corner areas. Kinney can quickly set his feet, rise up, and let it fly, and If he’s left wide-open it’s most likely going to fall. Also, an exceptional on-ball defender, Kinney’s quick reflexes are effective against opposing guards’ counter moves. He does a good job of staying low, moving his feet, and staying in front of his man without using his hands or picking up fouls. Impressive rebounder for his position and height, Donovan has a strong solid build that he uses to his advantage when running into battle inside on the boards. Donovan Kinney might not lead a team in any statistical categories but he will definitely make his presence felt every game. This guard never slacks off, his effort is always tremendous no matter what has happened on the floor. Kinney has consistently shown potential as a floor general, he will surely excel as a role player at the college level.
| Khris Hill | Small Forward | Arlington High School | 2021 |
Good feel for the ball guy, Khris Hill has impeccable instincts on the offensive end, he shows great awareness, does an excellent job of moving around, using screens, and finding openings in the high and low post, as well as around the perimeter. Hill is at his best when playing with unselfish, high IQ players. Most of his buckets come from within the flow of the offense, such a quality slasher without the ball in hand that can make sharp, explosive, timely cuts to the basket. Khris even spreads the floor well and hits spot-up and catch-and-shoot jumpers when the opportunity arises. He’s a set shooter that doesn’t get much elevation him his jump shots, but the ball comes off his hands with ease, and his arch is good enough to shoot over contesting or taller defenders. Khris can read and react to things fairly quickly, he rarely has the ball in his hands longer than a few seconds, if Hill gets the ball in the corner he either goes straight up with it or attacks the closeout, if given the ball around the wing or high post he will knock it down or make 1 or 2 power dribbles to get to his spots, and if he catches it while cutting to the hoop he’s strong enough to convert the layup even through traffic or contact. Khris Hill is a bit undersized at his position but has good body strength, power, and athleticism to make up for whatever he’s lacking in height.
| Kelby Valsin | Shooting Guard | Arlington Bowie | 2023 |
This shooting guard is a high ceiling, a high motor prospect with an all-around skill set. Kelby is on his way to becoming one of the most sought after 2023 players in Arlington. Valsin proves to be effective at both guard positions due to his ability to create his own shot and create for others. His playmaking skills are still developing but he does a good job hitting open teammates with quick sharp passes the moment they’re open, particularly when driving and dishing the ball out to the corners. Decent ball-handler, but he’s explosive with killer blow-by speed, Valsin uses a quick right to left crossover and he’s at the hoop before you know it. Once Kelby finds a way into the paint he’s going to score one way or another, he can be a crafty finisher at times with the way he’s able to make tough shots under the basket. A good jump shooter as well, the Bowie guard has a good-looking form and an excellent follow-through, his elbows are always aligned perfectly with the rim anytime he makes a shot, and he gets it out of hands smoothly and quickly. Kelby shows good intangibles, instincts, and effort on the defensive side of the ball, displaying good potential as a defensive stopper. This hardnosed defender is not only a lockdown player on the ball but he can also be dangerous in the passing lanes as well. Valsin will take advantage of lazy or wild passes and take it down to the other end to score. Kelby Valsin can become a high-level talent with the right type of work ethic, I firmly believe he will be one of the best players Arlington has to offer by the year 2023.