Houston AAU Previews: Houston Raptors “Benjamin/Netty” Pt 1/2

<p>The AAU spring season is fully underway and several teams in the Houston area are showcasing some of the top talent in Texas. Below we preview the roster for the Houston Raptors "Benjamin/Netty" 17U team.</p> <p>More Houston Area AAU Teams:<br /> Houston Hoops: <a href="https://prephoops.com/2022/04/houston-aau-previews-houston-hoops-17u/">17U</a> | <a href="https://prephoops.com/2022/04/houston-aau-previews-houston-hoops-16u/">16U</a><br /> Houston Raptors: <a href="https://prephoops.com/2022/05/houston-aau-previews-houston-raptors-benjamin-netty-pt1-2/">"Benjamin/Netty" Pt 1/2</a> | <a href="https://prephoops.com/2022/05/houston-aau-previews-houston-raptors-benjamin-netty-pt2-2/">"Benjamin/Netty" Pt 2/2</a></p> <p>#1 Tres Luzey - John Cooper - 6'1" - 2024</p> <p>Luzey is one of the youngest players on the Houston Raptors "Benjamin/Netty" team but plays like a vet. He's a calm and collected ball handler and pretty much does everything well on both sides of the ball for a small guard. He has extreme focus and poise as a shooter, both off the ball as a catch-and-shoot threat, and on the ball as a shot creator. He has this smooth single-motion shooting form that is deadly accurate and can hit from anywhere on the court he chooses. He maneuvers through the defense beautifully with grace and composure, finding teammates on the move or attacking the basket at different angles to get the layup to fall. He is also a respectable defender on the perimeter. He fights to stay in front of his opponent utilizing his quick feet, and he can sneak in for a steal in the blink of an eye as the on-ball defender or in the passing lanes.</p> <p>#2 Davion Jackson - Fort Bend Austin - 6'5" - 2022</p> <p>Jackson was a star for the Fort Bend Austin Bulldogs this past season, averaging just over 16 points per game in his senior season. He is as pure of a scorer as they come and can get a bucket from all three levels. He's a knockdown shooter from the perimeter with the height to shoot over most of his matchups, and he has the speed and burst to get to the basket nearly any time he wants, especially if a taller defender is on him. His agility and length are elite, and he can maneuver around defenders and contort his body and arms midair to get the ball up for a tough layup, with a knack for drawing fouls at a high rate. He has a fantastic touch too where he can hit those tough layups through traffic and through all kinds of contact. He shows good awareness, as well, finding the open man on the perimeter as he attacks the paint and collapses the defense.</p> <p>#7 Aerik Holcombe - Westbury Christian - 6'3" - 2022</p> <p>Holcombe had a huge season with the Westbury Christian Wildcats for his senior year, averaging just over 15 points per game and leading them all the way to the semi-finals in the TAPPS 4A playoff bracket. He's a pure shot maker from range and on the drive that uses his length, patience, and intelligence to get to his spots and score with ease. His relentlessness on defense creates turnovers and completely takes the opposing offense out of rhythm. He attacks ball handlers and continuously goes at the ball on passes and when providing help defense, with fantastic instincts and hand-eye coordination. He shows great patience and poise when attacking the basket, finding the right seams and openings to attack and then uses a great touch to get a layup or floater to fall through traffic. While he plays at a slower speed with good control most of the time, he also has the ability to explode past a defender if they lose focus for even a second, getting to that second level of defense and opening up opportunities for his teammates.</p> <p>#11 Chuks Egbo - Clements - 6'3" - 2023</p> <p>Egbo has the best of both worlds on the offensive end, combining an elite sharpshooting skillset with an aggressive bulldog mentality on drives to the basket. He is a fearless shot taker and his threat from distance forces defenders to stay tight on him, which opens up the rest of his game beautifully. He has an explosive and quick first step out of the triple threat and can easily blow by and defender that tries to limit his 3-point shot. He attacks the paint with a certain aggression, using his body well to protect the ball and going right at defenders with an impressive fearlessness and attacking mindset. He can take contact under the basket and has the strength to make the layup look easy and unaffected. He moves well without the ball, finding the open spots around the perimeter to sprint to, getting the ball and quickly getting in position to shoot a smooth jump shot. He is clearly a high IQ player with his decision making, knowing when to put up a shot and when to throw up a pump fake or quick jab step to create a better opportunity for himself. His aggressiveness is apparent in his rebounding and defense, as well. He goes after loose balls and fights for every 50/50 ball. He's relentless guarding his man and does everything in his power to disrupt the opposition's offense.</p>