Standout Sophomore Prospects from 6A Texas Playoffs (Part 1/3)
This is my list of prospects who have had some standout games over the first week of the Texas High School Playoffs. (Part 2: https://prephoops.com/2022/03/standout-sophomore-prospects-from-6a-texas-playoffs-part-2-3/) (Part 3: https://prephoops.com/2022/03/standout-sophomore-prospects-from-6a-texas-playoffs-part-3-3/) Anthony Bates Jr. Anthony Bates Jr. 6'3" | PG Katy Seven Lakes…
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Continue ReadingThis is my list of prospects who have had some standout games over the first week of the Texas High School Playoffs.
(Part 2: https://prephoops.com/2022/03/standout-sophomore-prospects-from-6a-texas-playoffs-part-2-3/)
(Part 3: https://prephoops.com/2022/03/standout-sophomore-prospects-from-6a-texas-playoffs-part-3-3/)
Anthony Bates Jr. Anthony Bates Jr. 6'3" | PG Katy Seven Lakes | 2024 State #307 Nation TX 2024 6’2 Katy Seven Lakes
Anthony is a very fluid athlete who has great body control. He is a high-level finisher in the paint due to his ability to get around defenders with quick moves such as euro steps and double clutches. He has a great handle and ability to put the ball on the floor and get to his spots. He displayed a plethora of high level moves such as floaters and creative step backs. He is a very skilled shooter off the bounce. Bates is also a very aware player who knows how to attack the weak spots in the defense. I was blown away by his maturity with the basketball and willingness to take what the defense gives him. When the defense looks to take him away, he calmly makes the right reads and make sure his teammates stay involved. He comfortably shot from all three levels of the floor and lived in the midrange. He is developing at a very rapid rate over the last year and a half, and I am excited to see how much he continues to grow. Bates and Seven Lakes lost a heart breaker to Bellaire at the buzzer during one of the most exciting games of the year.
Divine Ugochukwu 2024 Fort Bend Clements High School
Divine is an athletic combo guard who is fantastic at all three levels of the floor. He is a willing hunter of his midrange shot, and plays energetic and high level defense on the other end. He does all of the little things right on the court, such as spacing when running the fast break or hustling over to protect the backside of the defense after a skip pass. It was fun watching him run around and wreak havoc every time he was near the ball on the defensive end of the floor. What I love most about his game is his willingness to take over when his team is in trouble. They all know they can rely on him as a scorer in late game situations and his ability to get to his spots in the paint and the midrange allows him to hunt easy looks for himself all night. Divine and his sophomore running mate (Bryce Matthews 2024) are the main reason Fort Bend Clements is having late success, after taking down Katy Tompkins, Cy Fair and Mayde Creek. Clements is going to tear some teams apart over the next few years…
Zion Pipkin
Zion
Pipkin
6'1" | PG
Oak Hill Academy | 2024
VA
2024 Westfield High School
Zion is the definition of a dog, his motor and ability to affect the game on both ends of the floor allowed Westfield to plow through some high level competition on their way to winning the tournament. He attacks the basket hard and gets easy looks in transition at the rim due to his energy. He is great at fighting through contact on his way to the rim. I was blown away by his on court leadership, ability to direct traffic on the defensive and offensive end and how much of a winner he is. He did not need the ball in his hands to affect the game, his off ball movement created space for his teammates as he drew attention away from the defense. His game reminds me a lot of a young Collin Sexton, with his unending pace, willingness to defend high level ball handlers and live in the paint as a smaller guard. Westfield High School beat Conroe High School in the first round, Klein Collins in the second and are set to take on Cypress Falls this week.
Ashton Simmons Ashton Simmons 6'3" | PG West Brook | 2024 State #228 Nation TX 2024 6’3 Westbrook High School
Ashton is an aggressive combo guard who thrives at attacking the defense head on at all three levels. He is fearless when going downhill and attacking the rim and is willing to finish over and through anyone. He can knock down shots from all over the arc, and has knocked down plenty of NBA level three pointers to really stretch the floor. His shot making ability is very impressive and is one of the main reasons Westbrook High School is having success. He is a good help defender who know how to slide over and still cut off passing angles out. Simmons has all the tools to be a dominant player over his next two years. Westbrook High School beat Channelview in the first round but lost to a very good Dickinson team in the second.
Isaiah Brooks Isaiah Brooks 6'6" | SF Klein | 2024 TX 2024 6’6 Klein High School
Isaiah is the definition of an hustle player with his energy, aggressiveness and motor all on full display. His willingness to do anything to help his team win is very impressive, he protects the rim, dives on the floor for loose balls and plays high level defense on quicker guards. His consistency and ability to finish around the rim really stood out. His aggressiveness is a real factor in this. He is not afraid to go through or over his defender to get to his spot in the paint. With his energy, willingness to do all of the dirty work, and run the floor teams will have to have a stout game plan to defend him over the next two years. Klein High Schol lost to a very good Langham Creek High School team in the first round.