Season Rewind: DFW Newcomers

<p>The Texas high school basketball season is now officially in the books. That makes this a good time to take a look back at some of the prospects that impressed me the most.</p> <p>I wanted to recognize some of the best freshmen from the 2020-21 season. Here are six of the best 2024 prospects from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1125966" first="Jaxson" last="Ford"] | 2024 | 6’7’’ Power Forward | Prosper HS</strong> - Ford was outstanding in a number of areas as a freshman. He was dominant on the boards, a reliable interior defender, and a productive scorer in the paint. His decisiveness and soft touch were exceptional. He is somebody that you will continue hearing about for the remainder of his high school career. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1125969" first="Tre" last="Johnson"] | 2024 | 6’5’’ Shooting Guard | Lake Highlands HS</strong> - Johnson is a confident and capable scorer from all three levels. He was excellent at shooting off the bounce this past year. The first-year two-guard was a key member of Lake Highland’s starting lineup and will almost certainly receive an increased role next season with the departure of [player_tooltip player_id="887088" first="Noah" last="McDavid"]. </p> <p><strong>Liam McNeeley | 2024 | 6’6’’ Small Forward | J.J. Pearce HS</strong> - McNeeley is a terrific shooter who can get it done off the dribble and from the catch. The 2024 wing was crafty about hitting pull up mid-range jumpers from mid-range. He was a reliable catch and shoot guy from behind the arc as well. Additionally, his height allowed him to see over defenders and find open teammates when defenses collapsed on him. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1125963" first="Amier" last="Ali"] | 2024 | 6’8’’ Shooting Guard/Small Forward | Spring Creek Academy</strong> - Ali has the potential to be one of the best players in the state. His combination of size and skill is something special. He averaged five points, three rebounds, and two assists in his freshman season while coming off the bench, but his numbers could skyrocket next season with an increase in minutes. The 2024 prospect’s versatility at both ends is remarkable. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1125965" first="Landon" last="Brown"] | 2024 | 6’2’’ Shooting Guard | iSchool of Lewisville</strong> - Brown came off the bench for a loaded roster in his first year of varsity ball and averaged five points per game. He finishes well when attacking the basket off the dribble and is a solid shooter from three-point land, but he can also create for others and displays good decision making as a facilitator. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1126059" first="Dvon" last="Turner"] | 2024 | Combo Guard | South Garland HS</strong> - Turner possesses a strong build and understands how to utilize it. He handles the ball well and can bully his way into the paint for high-percentage looks. He is capable of knocking down shots from deep too. On defense, Turner is physical and locked in from start to finish. His two-way ability allows him to contribute every time he steps on the court. </p>