Top Prospects from TJ Ford Basketball Academy Fall League (1/3)
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Check out my analysis on some of the top prospects from TJ Ford Basketball Academy Fall League down in Houston, Texas! This was an intense and fun event, chock full of highlights! Robert Miller Robert Miller 6'11" | C Pasadena…
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Continue ReadingCheck out my analysis on some of the top prospects from TJ Ford Basketball Academy Fall League down in Houston, Texas! This was an intense and fun event, chock full of highlights!
Robert Miller Robert Miller 6'11" | C Pasadena Memorial | 2024 State #64 Nation TX 2024 6’9 Pasadena Memorial High School
Robert was straight up dominant during his time on the court, using his length to finish emphatic dunks over opponents, rejecting shots into the stands and just striking fear into the hearts of his opponent’s for ever taking a shot in the paint. He really stood out for his work on the defensive end this weekend, but still had some jaw dropping highlights on the offensive end as well. (MUST see video below) Defensively, he made crazy blocks seem routine, chasing down his opponents or sliding over as a help defender. He surprised his opponent’s with his length and blocked some jumpers from the perimeter as well. He showed a great motor to clear the glass on both ends of the court, even when matched up against other high level forwards. Miller is a truly high level prospect with the ease in which he dominates his opponents in the paint, but also the agility he displays and the natural touch he has from range.
His elite footwork and versatility on the defensive end of the court was just another aspect of his game that he has showcased to become an effective weapon at the next level. He is an athletic freak with the agility, natural bounce and the way he moves laterally. I was blown away with how easy he made everything look on both ends of the court. He has all the tools to be an incredibly effective prospect who looks like he can be molded into any kind of basketball player imaginable with his size. Miller has been getting a plethora of offers recently, including Alabama, California, TCU, Texas and Texas A&M.
Jae’Coby Osborne Jae’Coby Osborne 6'6" | SF Bella Vista Prep | 2024 State #241 Nation AZ 2024 6’5 Fort Bend Elkins High School
Highlights
Jae’Coby is becoming an elite level prospect right in front of our eyes. He has made incredible strides over the last year, increasing his confidence and willingness to take defender’s off the bounce and have an offense run through him. Where I have seen the most development since the beginning of the summer was his ability to score off the bounce in the mid-range and attacking the basket. He looks even more confident with his handle and his ability to turn the corner on his opponent and get to the rim with his strong frame. His shot from beyond the arc has dramatically improved as well.
He is an incredibly strong finisher who is not easily bumped off of his spots on his way to the rim. He has always had an impressive frame and a nice leaping ability, but now every time he steps on the court he is looking to detonate on his opponent’s head. He has the ability to affect the game on the interior and play the small ball forward for his team, allowing them to play five out. He affects the game like a more skilled and effective Draymond Green, handling the ball on the perimeter and running the pick and roll as the ball handler or the screener. Do not be surprised when he starts to rack up offers this season after more coaches get a chance to get eyes on him.
John Clark 2025 6’9 Klein Cain High School
John is an intriguing prospect who has great natural size but also some real versatility with his handle but also his dominance on the interior. He has all of the natural skill to become a dominant weapon at the next level, if he continues to develop foot speed and agility he can be an incredible slashing wing, or he can easily continue to fill out as a hard working forward. He is incredibly aware as seals his opponent’s underneath the basket or on his hip. Clark is good at suddenly changing his pace and quickly sealing off a defender, exploding out of the triple threat and taking advantage of bigger and slower defenders.
He is an elite weapon on the glass, who works hard and can throw his strength around to move his opponents in their fight for positioning. He consistently high points the ball and works hard to collect rebounds. His willingness to protect the rim and anchor his team’s defense is a joy to watch, as his teammates funnel their man right into Clark’s chest for him to deal with. He is training with some high level guards, allowing him to pick up more of guards tells, allowing him to strip the ball in the open court and steal dominate on the interior with his natural frame. Clark has all the tools to really affect the game across all three levels, and truly on both sides of the court.
Bryce Smith 2023 6’1 Barbers Hill High School
Bryce is a do-it-all guard who can not only effect the game with the ball in his hands, but his versatility defensively, how well he rebounds the ball and affects the game on the interior defensively. He is the most athletic player on his team, but that is not what makes him special. It is his energy, aggressiveness and how well he affects the game defensively. He moves his feet to stay in front of his opponent but also comes over as a help side defender or chase them down and meeting them at the rim. There were multiple instances in which he made elite level plays, both offensively and defensively. He can detonate on his opponent’s with explosive dunks or calmly rise up from the mid-range or beyond the arc.
He is a complete point guard prospect with how well he sees the floor, but more importantly his willingness to clean up his teammates mistakes defensively, and how well he knows where everyone should be. He is a creative passer, who can set up his teammates on the short roll or fire accurate passes to his shooters on the back side. He seems to have eyes on the sides of his head with his incredible awareness with the ball. He is already an elite half court creator, who can get to his spots or get his teammates involved. Smith is easily a division one prospect, and will make a coach at the next level extremely happy with his versatility, energy and willingness to do WHATEVER is necessary to help his team succeed.