2021s from the Mayhem in the Plex

The Mayhem in the Plex was another opportunity for players in the class of 2021 to keep their skills sharp in hopes of being signed later this summer. During day one and two at the Game On Sports complex, some of the seniors have shown that their skills are definitely sharp. With this event being on BallerTv as well, some of them may catch the eye of a coach or coaches looking to complete their roster. That being said, here are a few names that may garner looks after this weekend. Jonathan Reed (6’3″ – Showtime Elite LA 2022 – Southern Lab) Reed is still trying to bounce back from losing his postseason in Louisiana. However, he is more than making up for it when he is on the floor with Showtime Elite. Reed is letting it go from behind the arc and making more than he misses. The top of the arc and the corner three were his main spots in Fort Worth. He also did the little things as well. Reed rebounded well for a guard and pushed the ball occasionally after doing so. His shooting set him apart at the Mayhem in the Plex and makes him attractive as a next level player. Andrew O’Neal (6’2″ – Drive Nation Austin US – Round Rock) O’Neal might have been the best shooter in the building during the weekend at Mayhem. The lefty was unconscious on during Friday night’s action and carried it through to the last game I saw him play Sunday. He even had a moment when he shot the ball and immediately starting running towards the opposite end because he knew he made it. O’Neal also attacked the rim to keep defenders honest but his shooting was next level. A team on the college level looking for a shooter may fine some interest in the wing from Round Rock. Earnest Swindell (6’0″ – Drive Nation Austin US – Cedar Ridge) A smart point guard will take teams a long way and Swindell had a good weekend being lead facilitator for DNA US. Swindell garnered a lot of assists passing it to the shooters on his team. It was not just his passing, Swindell, knows how to get to the rim. He has a handle that allows him to get by most defenders. When he gets in the lane, he can finish at the rim with either hand. Swindell took many hits going to the rim and kept coming. He is point guard that knows how to play the position well. He can be an asset to a college team going forward. Malik Hearn (6’5″ – BurnerU – Harding Prep) Hearn was a very active scorer during the weekend in Fort Worth. He is not a person who is going to handle the ball a lot on the perimeter but he can get from point A to B. Hearn displayed an effective drop step-layup combination and the ability to catch and finish in the paint. What Hearn does best is clear out space and rebound. There were several situations where he was just stronger and more athletic than the player trying to block him. He made defenses pay with his offensive skill set and showed he is a solid performer when he is in the paint. Ronald Holmes (6’4″ – Beast Elite ’21 – Northside) To plainly put it, Holmes is a basketball player. His second half against the tough Hustle Hard 17U team showed exactly what he could do on the floor. Fighting some occasional cramps, Holmes kept the ball in his hands and took advantage of what the defense gave him. He took over the final 8 minutes of the game using his ball skills taking players his size off the dribble because the other team was unwilling to switch defenders. Even if he missed a shot, he was the first to attack the rim and rebound the ball. Those last minutes showed he can close the show if given the opportunity. Holmes is not afraid of late game pressure. [player_tooltip player_id="1027625" first="Jonas" last="Carlisle"] (6’3″ – Nike ProSkills San Antonio 2021 Black – South San Antonio) The ProSkills senior played well inside an outside of the arc. He displayed the ability to read defenses well and made others pay for not guarding him at the elbows. Carlisle used the inside pivot to face defenders and used a jab step to create some separation. Carlisle also stepped out beyond the arc to make a couple of bombs as well. He showed a set of skills that allows him to play on the perimeter or the elbows. With his lefty stroke, Carlisle will cause headaches all summer like he did in Fort Worth. The 2021 class has not had the best situations to showcase their skills. The high number of transfer plus a global pandemic has not afforded these players the amount of looks previous players have had in a season. Look for these players to continue playing grassroots play as the school year ends at the end of the month.

The Mayhem in the Plex was another opportunity for players in the class of 2021 to keep their skills sharp in hopes of being signed later this summer. During day one and two at the Game On Sports complex, some of the seniors have shown that their skills are definitely sharp. With this event being on BallerTv as well, some of them may catch the eye of a coach or coaches looking to complete their roster. That being said, here are a few names that may garner looks after this weekend.

Jonathan Reed (6’3″ – Showtime Elite LA 2022 – Southern Lab)

Reed is still trying to bounce back from losing his postseason in Louisiana. However, he is more than making up for it when he is on the floor with Showtime Elite. Reed is letting it go from behind the arc and making more than he misses. The top of the arc and the corner three were his main spots in Fort Worth. He also did the little things as well. Reed rebounded well for a guard and pushed the ball occasionally after doing so. His shooting set him apart at the Mayhem in the Plex and makes him attractive as a next level player.

Andrew O’Neal (6’2″ – Drive Nation Austin US – Round Rock)

O’Neal might have been the best shooter in the building during the weekend at Mayhem. The lefty was unconscious on during Friday night’s action and carried it through to the last game I saw him play Sunday. He even had a moment when he shot the ball and immediately starting running towards the opposite end because he knew he made it. O’Neal also attacked the rim to keep defenders honest but his shooting was next level. A team on the college level looking for a shooter may fine some interest in the wing from Round Rock.

Earnest Swindell (6’0″ – Drive Nation Austin US – Cedar Ridge)

A smart point guard will take teams a long way and Swindell had a good weekend being lead facilitator for DNA US. Swindell garnered a lot of assists passing it to the shooters on his team. It was not just his passing, Swindell, knows how to get to the rim. He has a handle that allows him to get by most defenders. When he gets in the lane, he can finish at the rim with either hand. Swindell took many hits going to the rim and kept coming. He is point guard that knows how to play the position well. He can be an asset to a college team going forward.

Malik Hearn (6’5″ – BurnerU – Harding Prep)

Hearn was a very active scorer during the weekend in Fort Worth. He is not a person who is going to handle the ball a lot on the perimeter but he can get from point A to B. Hearn displayed an effective drop step-layup combination and the ability to catch and finish in the paint. What Hearn does best is clear out space and rebound. There were several situations where he was just stronger and more athletic than the player trying to block him. He made defenses pay with his offensive skill set and showed he is a solid performer when he is in the paint.

Ronald Holmes (6’4″ – Beast Elite ’21 – Northside)

To plainly put it, Holmes is a basketball player. His second half against the tough Hustle Hard 17U team showed exactly what he could do on the floor. Fighting some occasional cramps, Holmes kept the ball in his hands and took advantage of what the defense gave him. He took over the final 8 minutes of the game using his ball skills taking players his size off the dribble because the other team was unwilling to switch defenders. Even if he missed a shot, he was the first to attack the rim and rebound the ball. Those last minutes showed he can close the show if given the opportunity. Holmes is not afraid of late game pressure.

Jonas Carlisle Jonas Carlisle 6'3" | SG South San | 2021 State TX (6’3″ – Nike ProSkills San Antonio 2021 Black – South San Antonio)

The ProSkills senior played well inside an outside of the arc. He displayed the ability to read defenses well and made others pay for not guarding him at the elbows. Carlisle used the inside pivot to face defenders and used a jab step to create some separation. Carlisle also stepped out beyond the arc to make a couple of bombs as well. He showed a set of skills that allows him to play on the perimeter or the elbows. With his lefty stroke, Carlisle will cause headaches all summer like he did in Fort Worth.

The 2021 class has not had the best situations to showcase their skills. The high number of transfer plus a global pandemic has not afforded these players the amount of looks previous players have had in a season. Look for these players to continue playing grassroots play as the school year ends at the end of the month.