Texas Top 250 Expo: 2023 Combo Guards (1/2)

Check out my analysis on some of the top performers from a LOADED Texas Top 250 Expo! There were some real standout players at this event, and I cannot wait for you to read all of my analysis on some of the top dogs!   [player_tooltip player_id='1332903' first='Ofri' last='Kauf'] 2023 6'2 John Paul II High School    Ofri is a skilled scorer who can create space with his handle and score from all three levels of the court. His ability to not only get his shot off, but create looks for his teammates was very special, finding them with unique passes that hit them in their pocket. Kauf routinely made the right decision out of the pick and roll, finding his cutting big men with special bounce passes to set them up down low. I was very impressed with his confidence with a live dribble and how well he was able to take what the defense gave him, and make the right decision. Ofri always has his head up to deliver the right pass, even flashing to the high post and firing a crisp pass to his teammate. He is a high level scorer, but is still incredibly unselfish for his game and ability to put the ball in the hole. I loved his unselfish game, and really has a fun blend of the European play-style in him. Kauf is a prospect that looks to have the basketball IQ and ability to score at a high level in college.   [player_tooltip player_id='1560370' first='Travis' last='Dunwoody'] 2023 6'3 Stratford High School    Travis is a smart guard who makes his mark on the game by finishing on the interior and punishing smaller guards down low. He displayed some real awareness with his back to the basket, making the right pass to his cutting teammates, or spinning off his defender and going up strong. I loved watching him punish his opponents down low and is aware as he goes up strong and showed off his ability to finish with either hand. He is a smart slasher with a live dribble, quickly attacking his defender out of the triple threat and exploding to the rim. His dominance in the paint is not just on the offensive end of the court, he protects the rim and goes up vertically to affect shots. I was very impressed by his willingness to do the little things, such as rebound, go after loose balls and defend the perimeter.   [player_tooltip player_id='1598900' first='Jameer' last='Lewis'] 2023 6'1 Lewisville High School    Jameer is a high energy guard who takes pride in his work defensively, and is aware as he plays the passing lanes. His intensity and willingness to defend on and off the ball was at a very high level, and it bled through into his teammates and made them play that much harder. He is not just a defensive weapon, he displayed a little pull up game in the mid-range after threatening the defense with his ability to finish at the rim. He has an tight little spin move in his arsenal, which he loves getting to as he attacks the basket. I would like to see him work on his ability to catch and shoot, and affect the game from beyond the arc. He has great energy and intensity when he is on the court, which could translate to the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id='1598887' first='Emmanuel' last='Okongwu'] 2023 6'1 Wylie East High School    Emmanuel has a respectable handle, allowing him to create space off of the dribble drive and within the half court set. He showed an ability to play off the ball, and cut to the rim or play out of the high post. Okongwu is an aware operator out of the corners and the wings. He makes good decisions on the fast break, making good passes ahead that hit his teammates in stride. Defensively, he is a willing rebounder who goes to high point the ball and box out his match-up whenever is necessary. He always had his head up after making a rebound to find a streaking teammate or just attacking the break with his handle himself. I would like to see him work on understanding his spacing on his backdoor cuts, and staying out of the way of his teammates as the attack the rim.   [player_tooltip player_id='787323' first='Finley' last='Bizjack'] 2023 6'5 Byron Nelson High School    Finley is an elite combo guard with a great frame and a high level ability to score off the bounce from anywhere on the court. He has already unlocked the coveted fourth level of the floor, and confidently steps back to hit shots over anyone. He hunts for his shots across all over the floor, and is not afraid to shoot over his defender. He calmly fades away in your face and knocks down shots. Where I have seen the most development with him over the last year has to be his play-making and ability to create for his teammates. Even when matched up with kids he had never met before, he made the right reads and put passes in the right spot to make his teammates look even better. His confidence and prowess with a live dribble is already an elite level, he is very well deserving of his high ranking, he calmly can control your offense and produce buckets when you need them most. He is the prototypical combo guard with all of the tools to be successful at the next level. This is a name you cannot soon forget. I fully expect him to make some noise at Butler next year, and fit right into their high basketball IQ culture that they have built in Indy!

Check out my analysis on some of the top performers from a LOADED Texas Top 250 Expo! There were some real standout players at this event, and I cannot wait for you to read all of my analysis on some of the top dogs!