GASO Fall Classic: Standout Forwards

<img class="size-medium wp-image-1283753 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/IMG_0863-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" />[player_tooltip player_id="787346" first="Darkuan" last="King"] | Waxahachie HS | C/o 2023 6-foot-7-inch [player_tooltip player_id="787346" first="Darkuan" last="King"] showcased a point-forward’s mentality with his all-around passing skills and high basketball IQ. King often made throws that led to buckets from his freshman big man, [player_tooltip player_id="1225568" first="Parker" last="Jefferson"], or his shooters on the perimeter. King and Jefferson should the ability to play off of each inside and outside of the post, their chemistry is developing and it’s starting to look dangerous. King proved to be a highly versatile power forward that can be trusted bringing the ball down the court and setting up the offense, Darkuan can also run the floor extremely well and beat guards to the hoop in transition. The Waxahachie junior was an absolute beast down low, he displayed tremendous physicality and strength under the basket and played with intimidating aggression that put fear in the eyes of defenders, he completely out-muscled and overpowered some of the top post players in North Texas. King’s efforts on the offensive glass were outstanding as well, he kept possessions alive and cleaned up his teammate’s shots on countless occasions by tipping their misses into the basket. The thing I admired most about [player_tooltip player_id="787346" first="Darkuan" last="King"] was his killer instinct and his will to win, the game is never over when Darkuan is on the court. <hr /> [player_tooltip player_id="787336" first="Ron" last="Holland"] | Duncanville HS | C/o 2023 As usual, [player_tooltip player_id="892162" first="Ronald" last="Holland"] proved to be the best prospect in the building only 5 minutes into the game. Texas’s top-ranked recruit was in regular-season form and ready to take care of business from the jump, scoring the first bucket after winning the tipoff and cutting straight to the basket for the slam in back-to-back games. Holland put his playmaking skills on full display, scrambling all over the court doing it all, and filling up the stat sheet in the process, he was a full-on contributor with a presence that constantly affected the game on both sides of the ball. [player_tooltip player_id="787336" first="Ron" last="Holland"] was such an incredible rebounder, going up high and hard every time, showing impressive physicality, an elite first and second jump, and great hands with the ability to always tip the ball to himself. <hr /> <img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1283750" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/IMG_0865-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" />[player_tooltip player_id="1125966" first="Jaxson" last="Ford"] | Prosper HS | C/o 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1125966" first="Jaxson" last="Ford"] was the heart and soul of the Prosper Eagles on the offensive side of the ball, everything seemed to run through him first. This Sophomore recruit put his phenomenal versatility on full display, if Ford wasn’t commanding the ball and attention while posting up down low, he was looking to receive the ball at the top of the key where he was able to see the entire floor and find small holes to create a play whether it was a pass or shot for himself. Jaxson wasn’t phased one bit when scoring against bigger and taller competitors. Ford’s ability to take and make heavily contested jumpers set him apart from others and proved to be a major aspect of his game that often resulted in free-throw attempts. Defensively, Prosper’s top-ranked center in the state did an outstanding job of effectively guarding the top Freshman center in the state from Waxahachie High School, while at the same time continuing to play excellent help-side defense due to his ability to cover ground and contest shots out his area. [player_tooltip player_id="1125966" first="Jaxson" last="Ford"] showed a true lockdown presence inside of the paint that made guys think twice before penetrating his way. <hr /> <img class="size-medium wp-image-1283752 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/IMG_0861-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" />[player_tooltip player_id="1225568" first="Parker" last="Jefferson"] | Waxahachie HS | C/o 2025 [player_tooltip player_id="1225568" first="Parker" last="Jefferson"] was too much for most to handle, a complete mismatch in each game, particularly in the low post where he established position each possession up the floor, eventually attracting double teams and triple-teaming defenders closing in on him. Great offensive versatility, the 6-foot-8-inch freshman proved to be unbelievably tough to defend with his movement, spacing, and scoring prowess in a halfcourt set. There wasn’t a single spot or shot on the court that was off-limits for Jefferson but he was most effective when catching and shooting from his favorite areas in the mid-range or putting the ball on the floor, using his go-to moves to get inside. Jefferson caught defenders off guard and went straight into his shot every time he pulled out his quick, smooth drop-step spin move. Potential Freshman of the Year winner, [player_tooltip player_id="1225568" first="Parker" last="Jefferson"], looks ready to make an immediate impact this upcoming season. <hr /> <img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1283751" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/IMG_0851-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" />[player_tooltip player_id="958600" first="Mason" last="Wujek"] | Frisco Memorial HS | C/o 2022 Despite being doubled-teamed or denied the ball while posting up, [player_tooltip player_id="958600" first="Mason" last="Wujek"] continuously caught the ball over multiple defenders and proceeded to finish possessions with jump hooks and reverse layups through all sorts of traffic and contact. Wujek’s big body allowed him to absorb hits and compete at the rim relentlessly. In the mid-range, Wujek displayed a nice Dirk-styled fadeaway jumper from 10 to 12 feet out. He had no trouble getting this shot off over contesting defenders on a consistent basis, anytime Mason let it fly he had a high release and got good separation. [player_tooltip player_id="958600" first="Mason" last="Wujek"]’s ability to spread the floor opened up the entire offense and empowered everyone to flourish. <hr /> <img class="size-medium wp-image-1283748 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/IMG_0883-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" />[player_tooltip player_id="958893" first="Alex" last="Anamekwe"] | McKinney HS | C/o 2022 Texas ranked power forward, [player_tooltip player_id="958893" first="Alex" last="Anamekwe"], was McKinney High School’s ultimate glue guy at the GASO Fall Classic, his contribution across the board was undeniable. Anamekwe’s aggressive motor combined with his elite athleticism made him a terror on the boards, his relentless rebounding nature led to countless second-chance scoring opportunities for the Lions. His court vision, basketball IQ, and his ability to pass the ball out of the paint were unlike any other prospect I watched. Very unselfish facilitator, [player_tooltip player_id="958893" first="Alex" last="Anamekwe"] generously passed up good shots for much better looks from his teammates, he made timely throws and knew his teammate’s tendencies like the back of his hand. <hr /> Ashton Hardaway | Duncanville HS | C/o 2023 6-foot-8-inch, Ashton Hardaway stood out as a pure stretch-forward with a love for the three-ball and the ability to create his own shot off the dribble for a pull-up jumper or hard-fought layup. But Hardaway was most threatening from beyond the arc where he was always ready to let one fly, showing that he had the green light at all times. Picture perfect shooting mechanics, very smooth, fluid, precise, along with an effortless release on the catch-and-shoot. Hardaway caught the rock stepping into his jumper and quickly went into his shooting motion. This season, Ashton Hardaway will likely make his case for one of the best shooters in the city, definitely one of, if not the, best at his position. <hr />