Bruce’s Best: Offensive Weapons

The Grassroots season provided a terrific opportunity to lay eyes on a ton of talented players and future prospects. The beauty of this stage of young players development is the consistent improvement of their overall skills. Even at a young age, it is easy to identify players with special talents. In this article, we take a look at some of the best Offensive Weapons I’ve seen during the Spring and Summer months.

Melo Mason 

HT: 5’2

Hometown: New Mexico

Class: 2030

Skill Breakdown: Mason is an advanced shooter at this age, with the ability to change the scoreboard from behind the three-point line. He shoots the ball naturally with limited shoulder hoisting action. His combination of handle and shooting makes him a dangerous weapon, as Mason has the ability to free himself from his opponents to get his shot off. As he continues to stretch out, look for him to extend his range, and lift on his shot.

Jason Baca

HT: 5’0

Hometown: New Mexico

Class: 2028

Skill Breakdown Has the kind of skill shiftiness and handle that is popular with successful small guards. His advanced skill is his ability to finish at the rim. Despite his slight frame, I was impressed with his ability to concentrate on the rim and finish over opposing defenders. He also was able to finish under defenders as well. His handle was tight, allowing him to use some nifty CODs to leave opponents reaching at air.

Jaizahn Lewis

HT: 5’8

Hometown: California

Class: 2027

Skill Breakdown: Saw quite a bit of Lewis this summer on our Hustle Region Circuit. Perhaps the most impressive thing about his skillset was the fact that he was displaying it against older, bigger, stronger players. Lewis has a quick burst with his first step which allows him to get to the rim and finish. The jitterbug PG is more than a straight-line driver as he also possesses a solid handle to go with some wiggle in his game. He showed the ability to knock down open shots, however, his strength is without a doubt, his ability to get to the rack.

Troy Kaufusi 

HT: 5’7

Hometown: Utah

Class: 2027

Skill Breakdown: His floor generalship is a skill all in itself. Kaufusi has a solid handle but is shifty enough to break pressure and defeat defenders off the bounce. His special skill is obvious as he’s one of the best passers playing in youth basketball right now regardless of age. He has good accuracy on his delivery, however, it’s his instincts that make him special as Kaufusi delivers the ball like an elite QB throwing his receiver open.

Walter Hennix III

HT: 5′6

Hometown: Arizona

Class: 2029

Skill Breakdown: His speed and quickness are different, and are at a level above his peers. He has terrific blow-by ability, however, his special skill is his passing. Hennix has great vision for a player of his age, finding teammates all over the court. His unselfishness is unique, and he has the ability to be accurate with passes off the dribble.

David Lunn (feature image)

HT: 6′2

Hometown: New Mexico

Class: 2027

Skill Breakdown: Lund has an advanced build and a powerful frame. His overall unique skill is his R&J athleticism, specifically the J. The powerful 8th grader can explode off the floor, from a vertical position, or on the dead run. He’s bigger, faster, and stronger than so many of his opponents at this level, and he uses it to his advantage. Lund has already caught more than one body at this stage of his career.

Luke Wray

HT: 5′8

Hometown: Utah

Class: 2028

Skill Breakdown: Wray may have the best skill set of any player I’ve seen in his class. At 5’8 he is almost like a point forward, handling, and initiating the offense. He loves to get downhill, however, his favorite thing to do once he gets paint touches is to pass. He can finish, however, Wray is a creative playmaker that seems to inspire teammates to finish his dimes.