#TABCShowcase2022: Stock Rising Centers C/o 2023-'25

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Samson Aletan Samson Aletan 6'10" | C Lake Highlands | 2023 State #259 Nation TX is the man of the weekend, he was a force inside as a rebounder and as a shot blocker. Aletan showed a terrific nose for the ball on the defensive glass and was always there to clean up the mess on the offensive end. Great box out positioning, always got into a lower stance than his opponent and put his backside right into their hip. As a rim protector, Samson swatted everything that came inside his house, pinning several shots off the backboard. He did a phenomenal job of not biting on fakes, proving to be a disciplined and patient shot blocker. The 6-10 postman also displayed great hands when catching the ball and a good touch on his shots and jump hooks inside of the paint. Tremendous upside, physically Aletan has all the tools needed to become an impactful piece at the college level, impeccable timing and athleticism, extremely mobile, massive reach, and such a wide wing span that he can adjust mid-air and block a shot attempt from either side of the rim. After a remarkable weekend of performances, Samson Aletan Samson Aletan 6'10" | C Lake Highlands | 2023 State #259 Nation TX received a plethora of offers from the likes of, the University of Tulsa, Sam Houston State University, Kansas State University, Oral Roberts University, and the University of Houston, just to name a few.

Cameron Barnes Cameron Barnes 6'10" | C Duncanville | 2023 State #128 Nation TX is a new generation center, one of the most versatile players in the county, he ran the floor like a small forward, handled the rock like a guard, pick and popped stretching the floor for catch-and-shoot opportunities, he showed a lot of potential with the pick and lob, he posted up and played with his back to the basket, and defended the paint with his 7-foot frame forcing his opponent to settle for jumpshots.

Top-30 prospect and 4th-ranked center in the state, Cortland Thomas Cortland Thomas 6'9" | C Legacy the School of Sport Sciences | 2024 State TX , made major contributions under the basket competing at the hoop and challenging shots consistently. Thomas officially made his presence felt whenever he stuffed Duncanville’s near 7-foot center at the rim on two shot attempts in a row swatting and pinning them right off of the glass with ferocity. Cortland Thomas Cortland Thomas 6'9" | C Legacy the School of Sport Sciences | 2024 State TX ’s potential as a defender is through the roof, the junior prospect showcased elite rim protection, good shot-blocking instincts, and remarkable timing due to his quickness off the ground along with his ability to reach shots at a high point. Thomas had stints where he was a constant disruption in the lane, altering the majority of interior shot attempts that came his way without getting himself into foul trouble.

The top-ranked center of the 2024 class in Texas showed off another dimension to his game with the ability to spread the floor and shoot it from outside while spotting up, displaying a good feel for his jumper for a player of his stature, often stepping into his jumpshot fluidly and in rhythm. Onwuchekwa also seemed comfortable handling the ball in space, showcasing a range of skills in his face-up and dribble-drive game. On the block he excelled in isolation post-ups establishing and maintaining position inside where he easily pinned and backed defenders into the post, often bumping defenders off balance and out of position before finishing with power and explosiveness under the rim. Doryan has a very long, lengthy, and well-filled-out frame to go along with his 6-foot-11-inch height, showing a solid build and great use of his physical tools.

Jeremiah Cooper | 6’7 | Spring Westfield High School | C/o ’25

The best thing about Jeremiah Cooper was the fact that he wholeheartedly embraced his role as the center. Cooper challenged everything at the rim on both ends, offensively, he was the man that extended plays on a consistent basis due to his offensive rebounding, and defensively he was a threat to block and alter any shots that came within his paint. A true rim protector who plants himself down low and covers the floor laterally with great timing and a long-standing reach that allowed him to swat shots at their peak, proving to be a quick leaper off his first and second jump.