TABC Day One Top Performers

Check out my analysis on some of the kids who are turning heads with their play during day one at the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) Showcase at Duncanville Field House! This showcase is always one of the biggest events in the state and this year was no different, with plenty of college coaches in attendance for every second of action. [player_tooltip player_id="1352537" first="Robert" last="Miller"] <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/robert-miller/"> <img class=" ls-is-cached lazyloaded" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/ABED54E7-795B-41A2-AAB1-4D748AB8B552-150x150.jpeg" data-src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/ABED54E7-795B-41A2-AAB1-4D748AB8B552-150x150.jpeg" /> </a> <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/robert-miller/"><img class=" ls-is-cached lazyloaded" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/ABED54E7-795B-41A2-AAB1-4D748AB8B552-150x150.jpeg" data-src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/ABED54E7-795B-41A2-AAB1-4D748AB8B552-150x150.jpeg" /></a> 2024 6’9 Pasadena Memorial High School Robert is a high level prospect with the ease in which he dominates his opponents in the paint, but also the agility he displays and the natural touch he has from range. He is an effortless scorer off the bounce, who uses his size and athleticism to get wherever he wants to on the court, and simply rise above his opponent. He showed an ability to truly score off the bounce from all three levels, and is dominant in the post; both fading away and also backing his defender underneath the basket. He is an athletic freak with the agility, natural bounce and the way he moves laterally. I was blown away with how easy he made everything look on both ends of the court. On the defensive side of the ball, he is an elite rim protector who knows when to slide over as a help defender and reject shots in the paint, chase down his opponents on the fast break and even contest jumpers on the perimeter. He has all the tools to be an incredibly effective prospect who looks like he can be molded into any kind of basketball player imaginable with his size. [player_tooltip player_id="1456585" first="Gary" last="Brown III"] <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/gary-brown-iii/"> <img class=" ls-is-cached lazyloaded" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/user-uploads/DADD0F0E-3964-4948-89FC-EAF08439D53E-150x150.jpeg" data-src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/user-uploads/DADD0F0E-3964-4948-89FC-EAF08439D53E-150x150.jpeg" /> </a> 2024 5’10 Pasadena Memorial High School, TX (TJ Ford Basketball 2023) Gary is the next high level point guard to come out of the TJ Ford Basketball program. He is an incredibly dynamic and aware point guard who knows how to pass his teammates open, but also scores off the bounce with the best of them. He is a lightning quick point guard who creates separation with every crossover he makes. I was very impressed by the control he displayed when operating out of the pick and roll and the timely decision he made that round his teammates open at just the right time. Where Brown really makes his mark is his ability to hit shots from beyond the arc off the bounce. In one game he hit 7 threes, and finished with 28 points. He calmly manipulated his defender until they gave him just enough space to rise up. He even knocked one in from the logo which forced the other team to call a timeout and their coach demand he gets picked up as soon as he crosses half court. Gary is going to form a formidable duo at Pasadena Memorial High School with [player_tooltip player_id="1352537" first="Robert" last="Miller"] <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/robert-miller/"> <img class=" ls-is-cached lazyloaded" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/ABED54E7-795B-41A2-AAB1-4D748AB8B552-150x150.jpeg" data-src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/ABED54E7-795B-41A2-AAB1-4D748AB8B552-150x150.jpeg" /> </a> <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/robert-miller/"><img class=" ls-is-cached lazyloaded" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/ABED54E7-795B-41A2-AAB1-4D748AB8B552-150x150.jpeg" data-src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/ABED54E7-795B-41A2-AAB1-4D748AB8B552-150x150.jpeg" /></a> (6’10, 2024), if you are in the Houston area during the upcoming high school year be SURE to check out a game to see these two in person. [player_tooltip player_id="1471671" first="Ismael" last="Smith-Flores"] <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ismael-smith-flores/"> <img class=" ls-is-cached lazyloaded" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/user-uploads/3FE841B6-10DE-4ABC-A0E0-840C9FD6A5E4-150x150.jpeg" data-src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/user-uploads/3FE841B6-10DE-4ABC-A0E0-840C9FD6A5E4-150x150.jpeg" /> </a>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 is beginning to take off with how easy he can do everything on the offensive end. I am eager to watch his senior year campaign! [player_tooltip player_id="1483630" first="Jaxson" last="Vandegarde"] <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaxson-vandegarde/"> <img class=" ls-is-cached lazyloaded" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/user-uploads/162F1875-C8C9-42FE-896E-11DDB9A1F065_1_201_a-150x150.jpeg" data-src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/user-uploads/162F1875-C8C9-42FE-896E-11DDB9A1F065_1_201_a-150x150.jpeg" /></a> 2024 6’1 Buda Johnson High School Jaxson is a high level scorer off the bounce who does so effortlessly from all three levels of the court. I was very impressed with the amount of attention he has put on the defensive end of the court, coming up with steals in the passing lanes as well as through his active hands stripping the ball from his opponent. He is a relentless attacker of the rim, who really stood out in his ability to not only finish through contact but also stop on a dime and score in the mid-range. He lived at the free throw line with his constant aggression and the ease in which he was able to get two feet into the paint. He took what the defense gave him every-time down the court, and had a masterful performance on the offensive end of the court. He controls the game like a true point guard who can facilitate an offense and also pass his teammates open in the full court. His ability to manipulate the speed of the game when the ball is in their hands. He routinely broke a full court press with his speed, getting the edge on his opponent or by making the right read and a picture perfect over head pass. I was very impressed with his ability to do whatever his team needed to be successful. He boxes out and can play on the glass like a wing. He frustrated his opponent so much through his hard work on the interior. His defender thought he would easily back him down every time, but Vandegarde held his ground and played very well. Vandegarde is one prospect you need to start keeping tabs on with the ease in which he scored off the bounce. [player_tooltip player_id="1203719" first="Sam" last="McKinney"] 2024 6’6 Buda Johnson High School <div class="article-content"> Sam is a skilled forward who finishes at a very high level underneath the basket. He displayed great consistency at the rim, and finished well on either side of the basket. I loved watching him manipulate his defenders with his back to the basket. It was fun watching him work on the offensive side of the ball. He is beginning to knock down the three ball from the outside with more consistency, allowing him to blow by the defense and be a true 3 and D threat. I was impressed by his handle out of the triple threat, he was great at getting into the teeth of the defense with an explosive and purposeful two-three dribbles. I was also very impressed by his body control when getting downhill, he knows how to contort his body to get out of the way of his opponents and getting around his defenders. On the defensive side of the ball he has shown a lot of growth, even in the short time it has been since I saw him last. He is becoming more aware of cutting defenders behind him, and has increased his production on the glass. He actively boxes out his opponents, clearing the way for him to grab uncontested rebounds. I loved the one-two punch that he and [player_tooltip player_id="1483630" first="Jaxson" last="Vandegarde"] <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaxson-vandegarde/"> <img class=" ls-is-cached lazyloaded" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/user-uploads/162F1875-C8C9-42FE-896E-11DDB9A1F065_1_201_a-150x150.jpeg" data-src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/user-uploads/162F1875-C8C9-42FE-896E-11DDB9A1F065_1_201_a-150x150.jpeg" /></a> have, and I am excited to watch them take over their district over the next two years! </div> MJ Thomas 2023 6’7 Denton High School MJ is a fluid athlete standing at 6’7 with room to grow. Thomas is great at using his steps to create distance from his opponent when attacking the rim going downhill. He knows how to use his length to outstep his defender and turn the corner. He is great with a power step on the block but could use more post moves in his arsenal. He is a very good passer when he gets focused by the defense. I was impressed with his ability to make the right reads and skip passes out to his shooters. He is a good shooter with a high release; however, I would like to see him speed up his release and stay ready when he picks and pops. I am really excited to watch him develop, as he is beginning to face more stout competition.