GASO Duncanville Saturday Wing/ Forward Standouts
Check out my analysis on some of the top wing and forward prospects who really shined during their time on the court at the Great American Shootout July Live Period in Duncanville! There are plenty of college coaches in attendance,…
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Continue ReadingCheck out my analysis on some of the top wing and forward prospects who really shined during their time on the court at the Great American Shootout July Live Period in Duncanville! There are plenty of college coaches in attendance, and some of these kids in attendance have a real chance to turn some attention their way.
Jason Pierce 2024 6’4 Lake Ridge High School (3P Elite)
Jason is a skilled wing prospect who can play the small ball four or five if necessary, with his strength and ability to fight on the interior. He was dominant in the two games he played today, collecting rebounds and outworking a 6’8 and 6’7 forward in the post. Defensively, Pierce was very impressive showing off his ability to work to front the post and deny entry passes, this bled over to his work on the glass as well. He always seemed to be in front of his opponent every time a shot went up, allowing his guards to collect rebounds on the other side when he could not get to it. He moved his feet at a very high level and always was in the right spot defensively as a help defender, cutting of angles to the dump off pass. He maneuvered very well on the perimeter to defend on the ball as well when switched onto other guards. I was very impressed with how well he used his footwork on the offensive end to get his defenders to jump and then spin around on his pivot foot for an uncontested layup. There were multiple plays that had the entire row of college coaches impressed with his high level footwork and how he got the bigger forwards to jump on them. He has good hands to collect difficult passes as well, still managing to quickly go up strong.
Mekhi Strong 2024 6’4 MacArthur High School (AJ1)
Mekhi is a skilled wing/ shooting guard prospect with his overall frame and ability to operate the pick and roll. He calmly handles the ball and knifed through tough defense in order to get to the rim. I was very impressed with how well he controlled the ball and pick apart the defense through the pick and roll. He constantly finished in the paint with finger rolls and smooth finishes after bullying his way through the paint. I was very impressed with how easily it seemed for him to absorb contact on his way to the rim. His consistency in the paint forced his opponents to foul him, he constantly got to the free throw line. He has good shooting mechanics and stopped on a dime at the free throw line for easy looks after getting the defense on its heels with his relentless pursit of the rim. I would like to see him continue to work on his shot off the bounce from beyond the arc.
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 the last few GASO tournaments, showing off his ability to 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!
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.
Jhmauri Coleman 2023 6’4 San Antonio Can High School (DC Kings SA 17U)
Jhmauri is a very impressive wing prospect with his nonstop motor and willingness to play down low and dominate the small ball forward role if necessary. He is aggressive with the basketball, wanting to blow by you with his speed, and then use his strength to bounce off of you. He is smart with his handle and his use of quick two dribble attacks or pull ups. He manipulates his defender out of the triple threat very well. He is consistently on the offensive and defensive glass, and loves to push the tempo after collecting rebounds, whether it is with a pass ahead or using his handle to go coast to coast. I would like to see him work on continuing to develop his set shot from the outside with more consistency.