Houston AAU Previews: Houston Raptors “Benjamin/Netty” Pt 2/2
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. More Houston Area AAU Teams: Houston…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe 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.
More Houston Area AAU Teams:
Houston Hoops: 17U | 16U
Houston Raptors: “Benjamin/Netty” Pt 1/2 | “Benjamin/Netty” Pt 2/2
#10 AJ Ussin – Alief Elsik – 6’5″ – 2023
Ussin is a sharpshooting wing with the intelligence to find the proper spacing along the perimeter and open up lanes for his teammates driving into the paint. While his bread-and-butter is the catch-and-shoot three, he can also take his man off the dribble occasionally, hit it from range on a pullup or get to the basket and use his length to get a tough layup to fall. He’s also a tough and skilled defender making him a prototypical 3-and-D player. His length gives him the upper hand in most matchups already, but he also has the awareness, instincts, and foresight to make a play on the ball both on the perimeter and in the paint. He keeps his feet moving in a strong defensive stance and understands when and where to get his hands in there to force a steal, disrupt a pass, or block a shot.
#15 Tosh Lyons – Clear Brook – 6’7″ – 2022
Lyons is a tall and long wing that can essentially play any position thanks to his guard-like skillset and his size. He has incredibly smooth and creative handles for someone of his height and he is a very unselfish passer. He has long strides which help reach a solid top end speed on the fast break, but when in the half court, he relies on his intelligent and creative footwork more than his ability to blow by defenders. He utilizes spin moves, euro steps, and more to attack the openings in the defense, keeping the ball high above his head, and finishing through traffic with a soft touch near the rim. He also has good control and footwork in the post. He’s on the leaner side for a post player, so he lacks in pure power, but his intelligent footwork and impressive ball skills allows him to create a good look at the rim in almost any situation. Most of his offense will be generated from attacking the paint, but he is a reliable catch-and-shoot threat, as well, with solid off-ball movement and a fairly quick release. His quickness and length make him an excellent defender too, especially with his switching ability between guards and bigs. He has very quick feet and has the ability to change directions to keep up with quick guards. He can then swat any shot his matchup throws up with impeccable timing and coordination. His rebounding is another positive in his game, where he has a nose for the ball and seems to always find himself in the right spots to secure a rebound on either end of the court, keeping the ball high and getting a putback to fall or hitting the outlet pass to spark a fast break.
#23 Kai’Ree Murray – Fort Bend Bush – 6’2″ – 2023
Murray is an extremely athletic and explosive guard that knows exactly how to get the crowd on their feet. He’s a high-flyer when attacking the basket and thrives on the fast break, starting with flying in for a steal in the passing lanes out of nowhere. He’s extremely skilled and talented with the ball in his hands, with an array of moves at his disposal to get open and lose his man off the dribble. He’s an effective shooter from any level on the court and can hit fadeaways, turnaround jumpers, and more from both midrange and 3-point range. His confidence allows him to takeover games and his extensive and all-around skill set comes through time and time again. He has the length, quickness, and athleticism to make him a strong defender, as well, especially at the point-of-attack, and he has the intelligence to guard multiple positions and adjust to the type of opponent he’s matched up against.
#24 Kyrin Dock – Hightower – 6’1″ – 2022
Dock is an all-around guard, doing a little of everything, whatever is needed of him on the court. He’s quick and has great control of the ball as he flies around the court. His top end speed is most apparent on fast breaks, but then he plays at a certain pace in the half court that allows him to see all the moving parts and create smart and efficient opportunities for himself and everyone around him. He’s a true playmaker and finds his teammates with pinpoint passes, with the confidence and natural ability to toss a few no-look passes occasionally. He’s a knockdown shooter both off-the-catch and off-the-dribble, and he’s a tireless defender. What he lacks in size and strength, he makes up for with energy and being an absolute pest as a defender. He never backs down from a matchup and will never give up on a play.
Honorable mention (Limited film):
#34 Neffi Oluwanifemi – Alief Taylor – 6’6″ – 2024