GASO Austin/ Round Rock: 2023 Forward Prospects

Check out my analysis on some of the top forwards in attendance at the Austin/ Round Rock GASO last weekend! These guys were really turning heads with their play, and dominance on the interior on both sides of the ball. If they are in your area, get out and see these kids during their senior campaigns! Tristan Holden 2023 6’6 Taft High School (Elevate Elite SA) Tristan is incredibly strong rebounder who has natural forward instincts and quick feet that look like he is capable of becoming a dynamic 4 or a small ball center at the next level. His ability to move his feet allowed him to defend guards and wings on the perimeter when switched onto them. He routinely cleared the glass and was good at keeping his head up and the ball high to make the right outlet pass. I was very impressed with how well he handled the ball on the fast break, throwing down a few thunderous dunks on the fast break. He is a natural finisher who knows there are few kids who can contest him down low. He showed an ability to consistently stretch the floor from his ability to knock down shots off the catch from the corners and the wings. I loved watching him screen his opponents and put his weight into them, freeing space for his teammate. He loves popping out to the perimeter for an open look at the three point line. I would like to see him work on opening up quicker as he rolls to the rim after the screen. [player_tooltip player_id="787335" first="Ma’Shy" last="Hill"] 2023 6’9 (Austin) St. Michael’s High School (ASAK 17U Elite) Ma’Shy is a very intriguing athlete with his rare blend of size, strength and athleticism. I was very impressed with how well he moved laterally, with his incredibly broad shoulders, looking like he could also line up at linebacker in a pinch for his football team. His strength bled through onto the basketball court, seeming to strike fear into his opponents when matched up down low. No one wanted to jump with him, allowing him to flush dunks on seemingly anyone with his natural bounce. I was very impressed with the energy he brought for his team every time he stepped on the court, that kind of thing definitely caught college coaches eyes from this weekend. He had one play where he almost finished a dunk through a hard foul, made the first free throw, and snatched the second one off the rim and finished it. I was very impressed with how naturally he finished with either hand underneath the basket. I would like to see him work on his ability to affect the game from the mid-range and out of the triple threat, once he begins to attack more out of the face up and with a quick one to two dribble move, I am not sure there are many kids in Texas who can defend him! Cade Kitrell 2023 6’8 (Round Rock) Cedar Ridge High School (ProSkills ATX Brown) Cade might have been the most polished big prospect in attendance at GASO Austin/ Round Rock this weekend, naturally and calmly finishing on either side of the basket, and dominating his opponents in the paint on the defensive end. I was very impressed with how well he could play out of the high post, handling the ball and orchestrating dribble hand-offs and screened at a very high level. He created space every time he went to set his feet, allowing his guards ample time to get around him. He is good at sealing the last defender when his lead guard and him are looking at the rim after a ball screen. On the defensive side of things, he is an ideal post defender, and tied up his opponents on their way up. He snatched the ball and came up with blocks time and time again. On the glass, he was active on the offensive end of things coming up with tip ins and easy second chance points. Every time I looked over at him play he seemed to be rejecting a shot or spinning off his defender for an easy look in the paint. Be sure to keep your eyes on Kitrell as he is going into his senior year! [player_tooltip player_id="1212656" first="Kevin" last="Paul"] 2023 6’9 Universal Academy, Dallas (Team Grrr) Kevin is a towering force on the interior who has grown in leaps and bounds with his ability to make plays since the last time I saw him in action. I was very impressed with how smart he has become with his back to the basket, constantly scanning the floor waiting for the defense to send help and allow him to punish them with a pass. His ability to fire cross court passes out to his shooters who were able to just catch and shoot, but also find cutting teammates forced the rest of the defenders to hug their man just a little tighter, allowing him to dominate his one on one match-up down low. He is incredibly strong down low, fighting through contact and keeping the ball high on his way to impressive and one finishes. He is a consistent free throw shooter with good form, allowing him to punish the defense for lazy coverage and should be a good indicator he can stretch the floor as he continues to grow. I would like to see him continue developing his handle and attacking the defense out of the triple threat. He is beginning to see the floor at a very high level and if he can continue to quickly attack mismatches down low, he can easily average 16-18 points a game. Croix Cole 2023 6’9 Universal Academy, Dallas (Team Grrr) Croix is another intriguing prospect with his special blend of size and how well he moves his feet. I was very impressed with how well he was able to maneuver up and down the court, with and without a live dribble. He loves running the floor as an easy option in the paint, but also chasing down his opponents on the fast break to smack their shot off the backboard. Croix showed an ability to handle the ball in the open court to attack any defender in the paint, or force the last two defenders to make a decision. I would like to see him work on scoring with more consistency from the second and third level of the of the defense, especially off the bounce. He has all the physical tools to be a mid major prospect, but will need to refine his skill and game a bit more to get there. He is not far, and has a bunch of tantalizing playmaking attributes that make him a must see prospect.