GameChangers: Top 250 Expo New Names
In this article:
This content series is sponsored by GameChanger-The Official Scorekeeping, Stats, Team Management & Technology Partner of Prep Hoops.
The Prep Hoops Texas Top 250 Expo was loaded with talent. Prospects were given the opportunity to showcase their ability to shoot the three-ball, facilitate, defend, handle the rock, dunk, and hit the boards, and they were very impressive in doing so. While those things were great to see, I looked beyond them to see if I could find some prospects that influenced and changed the game through their play in some of those areas as well as others. Here are a few of the Texans that emerged as Top 250 Expo GameChangers…
Kaison Mebane Kaison Mebane 6’3″ | CG Pace Academy | 2024 State TX proved to be a big time high flying athlete with crazy bounce. 6-foot-2-inch Mebane was one of, if not the most athletic prospect in the gym, he leaped off the ground so easy it seemed hard for him to control at times. This guard displayed the highest vertical leap out of everyone at the showcase. Mebane stood out as a fearless slasher who attacked the lane with force, finesse, and aggression before taking flight with an electric explosion from way outside of the lane rising well above the rim for a thunderous finish. His movement off the ball often led to easy scoring, anytime Kaison spotted an opening he exploited it.
Highlights
Kade Ramer Kade Ramer 6’7″ | C Van Alstyne | 2024 State TX is a 6-foot-7 center who played the post well on both ends, propping himself in the dunker spot and converting layups off of drop-off passes. Ramer established position, demanded the ball, and created a shot for himself off his post up before proceeding to finish the play through traffic with his quick turnaround pivots that led him directly around his defender’s hip. Ramer loved to utilize the jump hook when tightly guarded, which he was able to get off cleanly and smoothly with a soft touch from either hand. Solid offensive skillset with good potential to grow, showing the propensity to develop into an effective low post-scoring option. On the defnsive end is where Kade Ramer Kade Ramer 6’7″ | C Van Alstyne | 2024 State TX chnaged the game the most, he shut the paint down and deleted all effective pentration with his length and size, he didn’t make things easy, and forced players to go through him in order to get a layup. He also cleaned up the glass extremley well, he competed and banged for rebounds and even second chance boards from of his own miss or off of other misses.
Athleticism, effort, motor, and physical nature are what made William Jordan II William Jordan II 6’5″ City View | 2024 TX such an impactful and dynamic gamechanger on the floor. This highly productive prospect did a bit of everything while constantly sprinting end to end. William proved to be an impeccable defender on and off the ball, he kept his hands active or in the passing lanes at all times, often leading to deflections, steals, and even long rebounds. His potential as a dribble penetrator was clear as day, there were multiple times when Jordan II showcased a remarkable way of slicing through a defense with his long strides and a small number of dribbles. William Jordan II William Jordan II 6’5″ City View | 2024 TX has a tremendous amount of raw talent and the potential to become a strong two-way asset.
Highlights
Each time Easton Hupp Easton Hupp 6’5″ | SG Argyle Liberty Christian | 2025 State TX stepped onto the floor he found a way to change the game in more ways than one. Hupp’s high motor really set him apart from others, he proved to be the type of player that does whatever he has to do to get the win. Hupp truly excelled at running the floor in transition and he was one of the best to do it, making himself a passing option each time down the court. In a halfcourt set, Easton made strong hard cuts with a purpose, also showed the wherewithal to utilize pump fakes along with patience before going up with a layup under the basket. His strong upper and lower body is what allowed Easton Hupp Easton Hupp 6’5″ | SG Argyle Liberty Christian | 2025 State TX to box out and score on bigger and taller players.
Highlights
Sophmore forward, Ja’Corian Oes Ja’Corian Oes 6’4″ | PF Tyler Legacy | 2025 State TX , changed games in a major way with his great combination of strength, agility, and physicality. Standing at 6-foot-4-inches, Oes was by far the best rebounder in the building, showcasing a true talent for grabbing boards, which was his most reliable and consistent skill. His knack for crashing the glass like a mad man created several second chance scoring opportunities. Oes won the battle for the ball on countless occasions due to his strong hands, great positioning, and fearless use of his body. This prospect already has the strength and IQ to put points on the board near the paint but he’ll become more of a formidable scorer as he as continues to polish his one-on-one low post skillset.