Standout Wings – McDonald’s Texas Invitational Day 1
The McDonald’s Texas Invitational Basketball Tournament kicked off on Thursday, November 18. It was an impressive and exciting show with 48 different men’s games played on Day 1 throughout eight different gyms in the Southeast Houston area. I had the…
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Continue ReadingThe McDonald’s Texas Invitational Basketball Tournament kicked off on Thursday, November 18. It was an impressive and exciting show with 48 different men’s games played on Day 1 throughout eight different gyms in the Southeast Houston area. I had the pleasure of attending 6 of those games in person and assessing several players throughout the day. Here are my top standout wings in all 6 of the games I attended.
Also check out: Standout Guards | Standout Wings | Standout Bigs
#2 – Drake Jackson Drake Jackson 6'3" | SG Ross Sterling Baytown, Texas | 2022 TX – 6’3″ – SG/SF – Senior – Sterling vs. Dobie
Even in the blowout against Dobie on Day 1 of the McDonald’s Invitational, Jackson put together a very nice game and took on his role as captain of the team with great composure and leadership. He didn’t do much in the way of scoring, but he stayed aggressive and brought energy to every possession he was a part of. He attacked the paint with determination and set up his teammates nicely, putting his impressive vision and passing on display time and time again on the offensive end. He was active on the defensive end, as well, coming away with a steal in the 2nd quarter and staying between his opponent and the basket for most of the game. His efforts weren’t enough, though, as Dobie took an early lead and just kept building on the lead throughout, taking this game 88-55.
#13 – Jaden Shanklin – 6’1″ – SG – Junior – Dobie vs. Sterling
Shanklin was one of many to hit multiple 3-pointers in Dobie’s complete takeover in their game against Sterling. He was the most effective from 3-point range, hitting at least three of them during the course of the game. He made an impact on both ends of the court, providing an essential 3-and-D role in the Longhorn’s system. He defended his matchups to perfection, staying active with his hands on and off the ball, coming away with a block and knocking the ball loose multiple times. He also sacrificed his body, taking a charge in the paint, and assisted on multiple rebounds, boxing out matchups and keeping them away from the boards.
#10 – Aron Valentine – 6’3″ – SG – Sophomore – Fort Bend Bush vs. Richardson
Valentine did everything you could ask for on the offensive end in their game against Richardson. He provided constant off-ball movement that kept the defense working and forced them to stay alert, never letting them take a play off. He provided a nice shooting touch to stretch the floor and attacked the paint, finishing at the rim or passing out to a teammate for an easy bucket. He also made his presence felt on the defensive end, helping out on drives and block one shot in the 1st quarter and another in the 4th. Fort Bend Bush was simply outmatch by the best team in the tournament in Richardson, but Valentine made sure he’d get recognized and put together an impressive, all-around performance.
#3 – Rylan Griffen Rylan Griffen 6'5" | SG Richardson | 2022 State #72 Nation TX – 6’5″ – SG – Senior – Richardson vs. Fort Bend Bush
Griffen showed everyone why he is regarded as a top talent in Texas in their first game of the tournament. He actually outpaced his star teammate, Cason Wallace Cason Wallace 6'4" | CG Richardson | 2022 State #6 Nation TX , in the 1st quarter with an impressive scoring burst. He did everything out there with speed, athleticism and skill and was simply too much for any defender to handle on their own. He hit multiple long range shots but was relentless at attacking the basket and using his length to finish through traffic. He also led multiple possessions as the lead guard, pulling off beautiful dribble moves to get into open spaces and then setting up teammates nicely for easy finishes.
#5 – Tre Howell – 6’0″ – SG – Senior – Richardson vs. Fort Bend Bush
It was the Wallace and Griffen show for Richardson in this game, but Howell put his own imprint on the game and it did not go unnoticed. He had some impressive drives to the paint, utilizing his strength and handling to get through open lanes, but it was his defense that really stood out throughout the game. He had strong and quick lateral movement that kept him in front of any matchup he encountered. He stayed active with his hands, relentlessly pestering the opponents and he had fantastic closeouts and contested every shot that was thrown up against him.
#20 – Jensen Knowles – 6’2″ – SG – Sophomore – Richardson vs. Fort Bend Bush
Knowles, like Howell, took a backseat to Wallace and Griffen, but he still provided some impressive and impactful scoring support throughout the game. He stayed active off-the-ball and made several nice cuts to get open on the perimeter. When he did get open, his teammates found him, and he hit multiple long range shots, spreading the floor nicely for his teammates to drive the lanes. He also kept the ball moving and rarely forced shots, showing the crowd his great vision and hitting his teammates with accurate and precise passes.
#21 – Jakobi White Jakobi White 6'6" | SF San Antonio Clark | 2022 State TX – 6’6″ – SF – Senior – San Antonio Clark vs. Katy Paetow
White seemed to struggle slightly with his scoring in this, potentially due to how Katy Paetow clogged the paint with their strong bigs, but he still made his impact felt in other ways the best he could. Even with Katy Paetow’s bigs dominating the paint, White did have a couple nice, strong finishes, but it was his defense where he made up for his lack of scoring. He held his own against the opposing wings and bigs, staying strong in the post and limiting how much damage guys like Charles Chukwu Charles Chukwu 6'9" | C Katy Paetow | 2022 State TX could do against them near the basket. He also stayed active with his hands, helping out his teammates when needed, and utilizing his quickness as a strength against the relatively slower bigs.
Several other wings put on strong performances in the games I saw on Day 1, as well. Check out my reviews of David Epega and Lawyer Jones here, my review of Luke Robbie here, and my reviews of Anthony Baldwin and Seth Cantu here.