GASO College Station: Impressive 2023 Forwards

<p>Check out my scouting reports and analysis on some of the top 2023 forward prospects in attendance at the GASO (Great American Shoot Out) in Bryan/ College Station! These guys really popped during their time on the court, expect them to begin to garner some real attention over the next few circuit months!</p> <p><strong>Magoon Gwaith </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2023 6’9 Euless Trinity High School, TX (EAD Mid Cities 2023)</span></p> <p>Magoon has been raising his stock through his production on the court this weekend, showing an ability to do it all in the paint. He is an elite rebounder on both ends of the court, who maintains good positioning and always seems to be fighting for the right spot to grab a board. He has a real nose for the ball and makes quick decisions and keeps the ball high to either make an outlet pass or quickly turn and finish in the paint. He has a great face-up game and knows to go quickly to avoid double teams. He showed an ability to really operate out of the triple threat or with his back to the basket. He put the ball on the floor and got into the paint from the wings with ease, using his length to out step his opponents and keep them on his hip. I would like to see him get more aggressive and demand the ball, as well as continue his development with his decision making out of the high post and on the fast break. </p> <p><strong>Kevin Juarez </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2023 6’6 Pasadena High School (Pasadena Lockdown 2023)</span></p> <p>Kevin is a monstrous yet switchable wing prospect who knows how to use his size to finish in the paint, yet also create separation with his back to the basket. He showed an ability to handle the ball and affect the game from all three levels of the court. Juarez played well and made good decisions out of the high post and initiated offense on the wings. I was very impressed with how smart he was when attacking a single defender. He quickly spins out of trouble and steps through double teams into whatever space he has. He works very hard on both ends of the court with a non stop motor as soon as the ball gets tipped. He hustled after every rebound on both ends of the court, and even out rebounded a 6’8 big man he played alongside. He showed an ability to catch any pass that was thrown to him and quickly make the right decision, wether it was make the swing pass, put the ball on the floor and get to the rim or catch and shoot. Juarez is great at using his size to get his own looks down low, but is already showing an ability to defend anyone on the perimeter. He has great food speed for his size already, and could easily develop into an aggressive and switchable small ball center. Juarez is one prospect you have to keep your eye on as he goes into his senior year. </p> <p><strong><span class="pn-player-link"><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="787364" first="Josh" last="Ugbaja"]</span></span> </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2023 6’5 Klein Forest High School (Houston Superstars)</span></p> <p>Josh is an athletic wing prospect who can play small ball four if necessary through his ability to defend and finish in the paint. He showed an ability to finish emphatic tip dunks and lived on the offensive glass and underneath the rim through is constant motion down low, and his willingness to seal off his opponent under the rim. He constantly moved without the ball and attempted to affect the game from all three levels of the floor. He showed an ability to handle the ball and get into the paint with a lived dribble with great consistency and attacked hard closeouts very well. On the defensive end is where he made his mark, constantly rejecting shots and anchoring his team’s defense. He moved his feet well and showed an ability to defend guards on the perimeter as well. </p> <p><strong>BJ Stewart </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2023 6’5 Lee’s Summit High School, KS (M.L. Elite)</span></p> <p>BJ is a high level athlete with his ability to seemingly do it all on both ends of the court. He can easily defend positions 2-4 and holds his own against dominant bigs. He showed an ability to slide over and protect the paint when playing small ball center for his team, but also was a confident defender on the perimeter when playing alongside a true forward. I was very impressed with his overall frame and how well he moved up and down the court to wreak havoc. He is a monster in the full court, when he gets a full head of steam you do not want to be in his way. I was very impressed with his overall offensive game as well, he showed an ability to back down smaller opponents on switches, put the ball on the floor from the top of the key and get to the rim, or stop on a dime to score in the midrange. He is comfortable at all three levels, and knocked down shots from beyond the arc at a high clip when given an opportunity to catch and shoot off the catch. </p>