Space City Collision: Sunday’s Top Performers

<p>Prep Hoops Circuit’s<em> Space City Collision </em>held in Houston, Texas, was the place to be this past weekend with high-level competition being played throughout the three divisions of 17U, 16U, and 15U. On Sunday, I watched some top-notch play in the 17U and 16U divisions, with six players standing out above the rest with their elite play.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;">Sunday’s Top Performers</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_1194597" align="aligncenter" width="225"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/thumbnail-10.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1194597 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/thumbnail-10-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> SG [player_tooltip player_id="1152908" first="Biggie" last="Luster"][/caption] <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1152908" first="Biggie" last="Luster"] | 6’3" SG | Midwest Tarheels Select 2022 (2021)</strong></span></p> <ul> <li>Luster showed out on Sunday with a monster performance of 30 points (2 three-pointers) and 5 steals in the win over Louisiana Fire 2022. The electric playmaking guard exploded in the second half scoring 20 points and creating turnovers by getting into passing lanes and having active hands. His biggest highlight play came on a steal and fast-break where he flushed a one-handed dunk with ease. Luster is extremely smooth and fluid in his movements to get to the basket and possesses deep-range shooting ability in catch-and-shoot situations. </li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_1194599" align="aligncenter" width="225"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/thumbnail-1-4.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1194599 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/thumbnail-1-4-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> C [player_tooltip player_id="1139823" first="Ty" last="Adam"][/caption] <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1139823" first="Ty" last="Adam"] | 6’8" C | ATR Elite-Colorado 2023 (2023)</strong></span></p> <ul> <li>Adam was a beast on the court for ATR Colorado in their win over 3P Elite 2023, scoring 20 points while adding 8 rebounds and 4 blocks. Adam is a physical post player who does a really good job in the pick-and-roll game and understands his role in the offense. Played incredibly strong in the paint and threw down several two-handed dunks with authority. Used his size to his advantage on the boards, did a great job boxing out, and was really active in protecting the rim on defense. </li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_1194604" align="aligncenter" width="225"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/thumbnail-2-4.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1194604 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/thumbnail-2-4-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> SF [player_tooltip player_id="1167509" first="Nick" last="Randall"][/caption] <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1167509" first="Nick" last="Randall"] | 6’7" SF | ATR Elite-Colorado 2023 (2023)</strong></span></p> <ul> <li>A 6’7" small forward with terrific length, Randall made plays all over the court for ATR Colorado, scoring 19 points and bringing down 7 rebounds in their victory. Randall did most of his damage in the paint and around the basket, but he also flashed a smooth mid-range shot. A plus rebounder due to his length and anticipation skills, both on the offensive and defensive boards, and he also did a good job playing lockdown defense on the opposing team’s forwards. He might’ve had the play of the tournament where he threw down a seismic two-handed dunk up the middle of the lane that drew everyone to their feet. </li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_1195438" align="aligncenter" width="225"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/thumbnail-11.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1195438 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/thumbnail-11-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> PF [player_tooltip player_id="1203703" first="De’Rail" last="Wilson"][/caption] <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1203703" first="De’Rail" last="Wilson"] | 6’7" PF | Houston TTG 2022 (2022)</strong></span></p> <ul> <li>Wilson was too much to handle in the paint and around the hoop in Houston TTG’s win over Come 2 Compete, pouring in 26 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. Wilson plays with great strength and is able to hold his own against opponents in the paint. Showed good awareness and anticipation on defense where he had 5 blocks in the game. On offense, he deployed several post moves that consistently worked, and had a soft touch around the block. </li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_1195440" align="aligncenter" width="225"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/thumbnail-2-5.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1195440 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/thumbnail-2-5-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> SG [player_tooltip player_id="1052157" first="Matthew" last="Lewis"][/caption] <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1052157" first="Matthew" last="Lewis"] | 6’2" SG | Houston TTG 2022 (2022)</strong></span></p> <ul> <li>If you need a three-level scorer who hits clutch shots, Lewis is your guy. Lewis dropped 21 points, and 5 three-pointers, in TTG’s win over Come 2 Compete. Lewis has a sweet stroke from beyond the arc and hit shots on the move, while also displaying the ability to create on his own. Is incredibly active in the half-court moving without the ball, and was ready to shoot at any moment even with defenders in his face. In addition to his three-point shooting, he nailed a few pull-up jumpers at the elbow that were extremely difficult to stop for any defender.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_1195442" align="aligncenter" width="225"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/thumbnail-1-5.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1195442 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/thumbnail-1-5-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> PG Cory Ruben[/caption] <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Cory Ruben | 5’10" PG | Come 2 Compete 2022 (2022)</strong></span></p> <ul> <li>Ruben is an elite-level shooter from beyond the arc, making 8 three-pointers and scoring 24 points in the game I watched. An ultra-quick point guard who plays under control and can get hot in a hurry as a shooter, Ruben single-handily brought his team back into the game down from double-digits with his scorching shot from three-point range. Every time he touched the ball it felt like his shot was going to go in, and he showed a limitless range from deep. </li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p>