GASO DFW Memorial Day Weekend: Day 2 Standouts

Check out my scouting reports and analysis on some of the top prospects in attendance at the GASO (Great American Shoot Out) Dallas Fort Worth Memorial Day Weekend tournament! These guys really popped on the second day of competition, expect them to begin to garner some real attention over the next few circuit months! [player_tooltip player_id="892143" first="Gehrig" last="Normand"] 2023 6’5 Birdville High School, (3D Empire 17U) Gehrig was easily one of the best players in attendance through his ability to score across all three levels but also use his aggressiveness to put his team on his back and attack the basket. I was very impressed with his ability to take what the defense gave him every time down, wether that was a quick shot off the catch from the corners or wings, or attacking hard closeouts to go finish at the rim. He knocks down shots at a very high level with his ability to simply shoot over the top of his defenders. Where I was mots impressed by was his ability to catch any pass and put it on the floor and get into his shooting motion. There were multiple instances in which he caught tough passes and either used a one to two dribble pull up to score in the midrange or even throwing down a backwards lob that caught the defense slipping. I was blown away by his awareness with and without the ball, moving into space and attacking gaps for easy backdoor cuts. Gehrig is easily one of the most aware prospects I have seen in some time, I have to be keeping tabs on this kid! Ismael Smith Flores 2023 6’7 James Martin High School (Dallas Mustangs 17U) Ismael is an athletic wing who moves very well up and down the court and can handle the ball and create opportunities for his teammates in the full court and the half court. He was easily one of the best players in attendance with his ability to score across all three levels off the bounce. His confidence is growing at a tremendous rate, and is now hunting for his shot in the midrange and beyond the arc. He is eager to get into the paint every chance he can, and knows how to quickly attack smaller defenders before they get a chance to bring a double team. He has an extremely large catch radius which allows his teammates to throw him any sort of entry pass into the post. With his back to the basket he is good at using his size and strength to back his opponent down. He is good at using his size to his advantage, but is also smooth enough to hit turn arounds and use his length to create separation. I was blown away by his ability to hang in the air and release the ball as he is fading away from defensive pressure. Ismael stock probably took the highest leap out of all of the prospects in attendance with how easy he did everything on the offensive end. I am eager to watch his senior year campaign! [player_tooltip player_id="957938" first="Dylon" last="Richardson"] 2023 6’3 Hutto High School (ASAK 17U Elite) Dylon is an elite offensive weapon with the ability to affect the game at all three levels. He is a sniper when he gets an opportunity to set his feet. I was really impressed by his off-ball movement and how he always seemed to be ready to catch and shoot quickly. He knocked down shots from all around the arc and forced the defense to contest him hard. His ability to calmly create looks for himself at all three levels was incredibly elite. He showed an ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the rim. He finished with ease at the rim and showed off some impressive up and under through traffic. He is an explosive leaper who can throw down lobs to change the momentum of the game. He has a real connection with all of his teammates and uses his court vision to create looks for his teammates as well. He is not a selfish player, he is the ideal combo guard with how easy he scores the ball but also makes the extra pass in the full and half court to find an even better shot for a teammate. Where I have seen the most growth in him since the last time I saw him was his ability to affect the game on the defensive end of the court. He is an incredibly aware trapper who knows how to cut off angles to the passes and really put pressure on ball handlers over every inch of the court. [player_tooltip player_id="959231" first="Sterling" last="Butler"]<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/sterling-butler/"><img class=" ls-is-cached lazyloaded" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/12-Sterling-Butler-150x150.jpg" data-src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/12-Sterling-Butler-150x150.jpg" /></a> 2023 5’9 Mansfield High School (ASAK 17U Elite) Sterling is a coach’s dream for an undersized point guard. He was a true on the court leader and created a plethora of open looks for his teammates. He is quick and thrives at beating defenders off the dribble and getting into the lane. He has great court vision, and used that to set up his teammates in the full court with ease. He is unselfish and loves seeing his teammates succeed and knows how to change the momentum in the game with his ability to throw lobs and shoot off the bounce. His legs are very strong, and he seems to explode to the rim. I was very impressed with his natural ability to finish amongst bigger defenders. He is agile and seems to zip all around the court and wreak havoc. He has a nonstop motor that allows him to compete at the highest level on both ends of the court. He moves his feet well to cut off angles of his opponent and really got under their skin when he was on the court. I would like to see him work on his ability to control the tempo over the game and work on not getting sped up into bad looks. [player_tooltip player_id="1126057" first="Colby" last="Springs"]<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/colby-springs/"><img class=" ls-is-cached lazyloaded" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/IMG-3277-150x150.jpg" data-src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/IMG-3277-150x150.jpg" /></a> 2024 6’5 Lewisville High School (Texas Tar Heels 2024 Black) Colby is a real bruiser at the wing/forward spot. He is built like a linebacker, and you could tell kids are having second thoughts about rotating into the paint to get in front of him. He got into the paint with ease any time he wanted to. I was impressed with his ability to move and his overall aggressiveness on both ends of the floor. He stayed engaged and wanted to put his foot on the other teams throat every time he stepped on the floor. I was very impressed with his ability to shoot over the top of his opponents in the midrange or beyond the arc. He has a high release point that allows him to successfully put up a shot against any type of opponent. He has a consistent jumper off the catch across all three levels. Where he makes the most of his damage is in the paint and attacking his opponent off the bounce and bully them into deep position in the paint. [player_tooltip player_id="1358209" first="Bryce" last="Jackson"] 2025 Shadow Creek High School (Houston Hoops 15U EYBL) Bryce is an incredibly lanky freshman with all the tools in the world to grow into a tremendous playmaking wing. His long arms and ability to move his feet make him a very versatile and effective defender. He is very consistent when he has the basketball, and knows when to catch and shoot, put the ball on the floor and attack the rim or look to make the extra pass. Jackson seems to grow another leap every time I go see him play. His shot making off of the catch is real weapon, and he is very consistent in the corners and on the wings. His floor spacing, switchability and fearlessness for his age are all incredibly strong indicators that this young man has a real career ahead of him.