Standouts from the "Mayhem" in the Plex

Basketball players catch the eyes of fans, opposing coaches, and evaluators as a game unfolds more times than not. There is something about certain players that is worth a second look and even a third look to people. These following five players from the Mayhem at the Plex are definitely players who deserve multiple opportunities to be watched as they perform. They definitely caught my eye and others who were watching. Jakobe Dykes (6’6″ – Showtime Elite LA 2023 – Springfield) Dykes has impressed every time that I have seen him this grassroots season. While he is an exemplary ballhandler for his size and he scores well in transition, it was his shooting that was top notch over the weekend in Fort Worth. Dykes peppered the basket from the corner three during the Showtime Elite win over Hooplife Academy 2023. He has great life and excellent form from deep which makes his shot hard to block. Shooting like this will only open up his game to the hoop. Merge those two with his athleticism and Dykes might be one of the better players to come out of the 2023 class in Louisiana. [player_tooltip player_id="1151156" first="Raven" last="Ortiz"] (6’0″ – Nike ProSkills SA Red – San Angelo Central) Watching a basketball game, sometimes we get used to a 6 foot guard stealing the ball and dribbling towards a layup in the open court. However, when [player_tooltip player_id="1151156" first="Raven" last="Ortiz"] steals the ball and goes on a breakaway, people need to pay attention. Ortiz was very good at attacking the rim not only in the open floor, but from both baselines as well. He can handle the ball well but has a ton of explosiveness when going to the rim. This led to an emphatic one handed flush on a breakaway along with finishes through defenders from baseline drives. Ortiz was one of the more dynamic players from the Mayhem in the Plex and one to watch as the summer grassroots season picks up. Jamir Turner (6’5″ – Fresno Flyers Elite 2022 – Ridgepoint) Turner is one of those guards that makes the game seem easy. He keeps the ball on a string when he handles it and can get to his spots with ease. On this particular weekend, Turner used to high screen and roll to breakdown defenses with the dribble and the pass. He kept his head up and was in constant position to pass or shoot. During their game against C2C, he was very dangerous when he penetrated the paint and made shots or passes to cutters. Turner also made open shots from deep and made difficult shots look pretty routine. The smoothness to his game and his skills set him apart from a lot of players during the weekend in Fort Worth. Dominic Turner (6’4″ – Oklahoma Eagles Elite 2022 – Cushing) This Oklahoma prep was one of the more exciting preps on the weekend. He finished above the rim several times. In their contest against the Arkansas Mavericks, Turner had a rebound putback dunk that brought the crowd to their feet. Then, on another sequence, he ran the right wing and caught an alley-oop pass to rock the rim. Turner was also competitive on the defensive end and made it difficult for Maverick players to score. Turner is an athlete who can be a difference maker in the right system. He has a huge upside. [player_tooltip player_id="1180392" first="QueVon" last="Walley"] (6’1″ – Come 2 Compete 2022 – La Porte) Walley displayed not only a high level of skill on both sides of the ball, but a high level of intensity as well. Walley is 6’1" leaper who rocked the rim in transition through the three games that I saw him compete in. He loves contact as well and does not mind getting hit going to the rim. Walley is a streaky shooter and did drain three triples in a row during one contest. He is a player who embraced the challenge of defending other top players on opposing teams. Walley also seemed very estute and knew the right plays to make in crucial situations down the stretch. With more development to his jumper, he may be one who blossoms late into a very good player. Explosiveness, skill, and an upside to get profoundly better is what these five have in common. With the rest of the grassroots season to improve along with team camps and summer leagues in June, these players may make big strides before grassroots picks up again in July. These are definitely five players to watch. They definitely caught the eyes of people like me watching at the Mayhem in the Plex.

Basketball players catch the eyes of fans, opposing coaches, and evaluators as a game unfolds more times than not. There is something about certain players that is worth a second look and even a third look to people. These following five players from the Mayhem at the Plex are definitely players who deserve multiple opportunities to be watched as they perform. They definitely caught my eye and others who were watching.

Jakobe Dykes (6’6″ – Showtime Elite LA 2023 – Springfield)

Dykes has impressed every time that I have seen him this grassroots season. While he is an exemplary ballhandler for his size and he scores well in transition, it was his shooting that was top notch over the weekend in Fort Worth. Dykes peppered the basket from the corner three during the Showtime Elite win over Hooplife Academy 2023. He has great life and excellent form from deep which makes his shot hard to block. Shooting like this will only open up his game to the hoop. Merge those two with his athleticism and Dykes might be one of the better players to come out of the 2023 class in Louisiana.

Raven Ortiz Raven Ortiz 6'0" | PG San Angelo Central | 2022 State TX (6’0″ – Nike ProSkills SA Red – San Angelo Central)

Watching a basketball game, sometimes we get used to a 6 foot guard stealing the ball and dribbling towards a layup in the open court. However, when Raven Ortiz Raven Ortiz 6'0" | PG San Angelo Central | 2022 State TX steals the ball and goes on a breakaway, people need to pay attention. Ortiz was very good at attacking the rim not only in the open floor, but from both baselines as well. He can handle the ball well but has a ton of explosiveness when going to the rim. This led to an emphatic one handed flush on a breakaway along with finishes through defenders from baseline drives. Ortiz was one of the more dynamic players from the Mayhem in the Plex and one to watch as the summer grassroots season picks up.

Jamir Turner (6’5″ – Fresno Flyers Elite 2022 – Ridgepoint)

Turner is one of those guards that makes the game seem easy. He keeps the ball on a string when he handles it and can get to his spots with ease. On this particular weekend, Turner used to high screen and roll to breakdown defenses with the dribble and the pass. He kept his head up and was in constant position to pass or shoot. During their game against C2C, he was very dangerous when he penetrated the paint and made shots or passes to cutters. Turner also made open shots from deep and made difficult shots look pretty routine. The smoothness to his game and his skills set him apart from a lot of players during the weekend in Fort Worth.

Dominic Turner (6’4″ – Oklahoma Eagles Elite 2022 – Cushing)

This Oklahoma prep was one of the more exciting preps on the weekend. He finished above the rim several times. In their contest against the Arkansas Mavericks, Turner had a rebound putback dunk that brought the crowd to their feet. Then, on another sequence, he ran the right wing and caught an alley-oop pass to rock the rim. Turner was also competitive on the defensive end and made it difficult for Maverick players to score. Turner is an athlete who can be a difference maker in the right system. He has a huge upside.

QueVon Walley QueVon Walley 6'3" | SF La Porte | 2022 TX (6’1″ – Come 2 Compete 2022 – La Porte)

Walley displayed not only a high level of skill on both sides of the ball, but a high level of intensity as well. Walley is 6’1" leaper who rocked the rim in transition through the three games that I saw him compete in. He loves contact as well and does not mind getting hit going to the rim. Walley is a streaky shooter and did drain three triples in a row during one contest. He is a player who embraced the challenge of defending other top players on opposing teams. Walley also seemed very estute and knew the right plays to make in crucial situations down the stretch. With more development to his jumper, he may be one who blossoms late into a very good player.

Explosiveness, skill, and an upside to get profoundly better is what these five have in common. With the rest of the grassroots season to improve along with team camps and summer leagues in June, these players may make big strides before grassroots picks up again in July. These are definitely five players to watch. They definitely caught the eyes of people like me watching at the Mayhem in the Plex.