Stock Risers from the Mayhem in the Plex
The weekend in Fort Worth was full of talented basketball players. Some were getting their feet wet with their first taste of travel basketball while others were honing their skills for next season. During the weekend I saw a few…
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Continue ReadingThe weekend in Fort Worth was full of talented basketball players. Some were getting their feet wet with their first taste of travel basketball while others were honing their skills for next season. During the weekend I saw a few players, seven in particular, that looked as if they were in mid-season form. These seven players, seven stock risers, are players who should be names to watch as they play this summer.
Braden Bostwick (N. Houston Hustle ’23 National | 6’3″ | Tarkington)
Bostwick came out the gates blazing with a 24 point performance in his first game. He is a “3 & D” player who can really shoot the three. Bostwick moves well without the ball and prepares for his shot long before he gets to his spot. He is deceptively quick as well and attacked defenders who guarded him closely. Bostwick is a cerebral player who can defend and shoot. A pretty lethal combination in my book.
Javion Jacobs (N. Houston Hustle ’24 | 6’4″ | Humble)
The 6’4″ forward/post looked like a man amongst boys while he played on Saturday. He is a space-eating rebounder who can go get the ball on the glass. Jacobs was not outworked in the two games I saw him. If he missed a layup, he had a quick second and third jump that often let him finish the play. Jacobs is pretty automatic from 10 feet in. When it came to rebounding and scoring, he was unstoppable in the paint.
Kobe Mack (WBBP Rush ’23 | 6’4″ | Lincoln Prep)
When it comes to big guards, the stock of this gem from the Boot is about to shoot up. Mack is a one man wrecking crew on offense and displayed it on multiple occasions in Fort Worth. Kobe showed that scoring at all three levels is not a problem for him. He can shoot the three consistently, is a freight train going to the rim, and he knows when to use the mid-range jumper. By the way, he can defend all guard positions too. Mack is a player with a special combination which should lead to his recruitment picking up.
Bralyn Mayfield (WBBP Rush ’23 | 6’3″ | Lincoln Prep)
Mayfield has a similar skill set to his teammate above. He seems to have a rare confidence that he can score on anyone. On Saturday, he shot a lot from deep and made a couple of dribble step backs with a hand in his face. Mayfield has confidence in his handle and he grabbed the rebound and pushed the ball on several possessions. Couple his shooting with his rebounding prowess and you have a guard who is a danger from baseline-to-baseline.
Adonai Renzene (B.O.L.D. ’23 | 6’3″ | Berkner)
Renzene may have had the most impressive Saturday of any player in the gym. He is a quiet and unassuming player that plays both ends of the floor and plays them at a high level. Renzene played well off of his teammates and made baskets cutting when things got stagnate for the offense. He also used his movement to find open areas behind the arc. His movement made him very difficult to cover while he enjoyed offensive success on Saturday.
Jackson Seale (Top Achievers ’23-1 | 6’9″ | McKinney Boyd)
Seale showed a great deal of ability to get things done in the paint on Saturday. At 6’9″, Seale was very good at rebounding the ball and keeping it high until he made a decision to pass or shoot. He maneuvered well on the block and presented a big target when guards were trying to feed him in the post. Seale showed off a pair of soft hands to go with his positioning. His scoring in the paint was the difference in a couple of games in which TA Elite won.
KJ Sykes (Mamba Wolfpack ’23 | 5’8″ | Clinton Christian Academy)
Sykes was very impressive on Saturday. His point guard abilities shined through like a bright star throughout the gym. In two games, he showed point guards what to do with the ball in his hands. Sykes found guys at will with a series of no look passes and great finds in transition. He also took advantage of guards his size or slightly taller by posting them up. Sykes used a fade away jumper shooting over players who thought they could double team him. He also found cutters on slick passes as well. He might have been the shortest but there was no point guard who played better all weekend.
The players above will continue on the Prep Hoops circuit later this month before returning to their respective high school teams. Their high schools will be getting some players that seem to be ready to make a mark on and ascend to a higher level. The stock in these seven individuals is definitely trending upward.