New Mexico Showdown Recap: Sleepers

<p>The New Mexico Showdown takes place Friday, February 18th, and runs through Monday, February 21st. The event, hosted by ABC, features prep and post-grad teams from throughout the southwest The event allowed me an opportunity to evaluate several unheralded prospects. In this article, we take a look at the top Sleepers from the event. </p> <p><strong>Jacob Olivares</strong> <em>5’10 SG ABC Post Grad</em> - Despite his diminutive size, Olivares showed that he can score with his back to the basket. He was a genuine low post threat, whenever he had a player of similar size on him. It wasn’t fancy, but he turned over his right shoulder and scored effectively. When he was out on the perimeter, he showed that he was capable of knocking down threes in catch-and-shoot situations. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1076699" first="Gideon" last="Harris"]</strong> <em>6’2 SF ABC Prep 2023 (#7PHNM 2023)</em> - I’ve mentioned it on more than one occasion. Harris may be the best-undersized rebounder in the state. When he played for a small high school, I viewed that accomplishment with a bit of skepticism, however playing against bigger, stronger competition did nothing to limit his rebounding prowess. Harris was everywhere, beating defenders to loose balls, and grabbing in traffic and out of area rebounds. </p> <p><strong>Vernon Henry</strong> <em>5’8 PG Southern Arizona Vols 2023</em> - Henry is a point guard with a division one frame. He showed that he’s a willing passer, sometimes to a fault. What he did best was get out in transition, and finish. Obviously, his frame helped, but he showed good footwork, using Euros, and 1-2 steps to get to the basket. </p> <p><strong>Jonathon Meza</strong> <em>5’10 PG Southern Arizona Vols 2025</em> <em>(featured image)</em> - Meza was impressive regardless of age, once I found out he was a freshman my impression of him instantly changed. He has a strap, and he proved it. The freshman PG knocked down 5 threes in the game I watched, showing the ability to be accurate in both catch and shoot situations along with making pull-up jumpers. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="827008" first="Isaac" last="Garcia"]</strong> <em>6’6 SF Southern Arizona Vols 2022</em> - I’m a huge fan of guys that can score without needing plays run for them, and that’s exactly what Garcia did. The high-flying forward kept it simple, sticking to sprinting, catching, and finishing. He showed good hands and a willingness to change ends, impacting the games with his transition scoring ability. </p> <p><strong>Tai Taiaroa</strong> <em>6’7 SF ABC Prep 2022</em> -Taiaroa is your prototypical 3 and D guy. He’s a floor spacer who shoots his threes mostly off catch and shoot action but don’t be surprised to see him do some pick and pop. He’s a high IQ defensive guy, that plays with active hands. The 6’7 wing had more than his share of tips and deflections this week. </p> <p><strong>Hao Dong</strong> <em>6’6 SF Real Salt Lake 2022</em> - Dong is the definition of a sleeper. The 6’6 SF has only been in the country for about 4 months but he has already made an impression. He’s a positionless player that is effective with the ball in his hands, cutting to the basket, or defending multiple positions. A high academic prospect, who is receiving some Ivy League interest, Dong displayed a knack for finishing plays in traffic. </p> <p>Follow </p> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/7outzbballclub1"><em>On Twitter</em></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bruceprephoops/"><em>On IG</em></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PrepHoopsNV"><em>Like Us On FB</em></a></p>