Top Point Guard Prospects from OTR Exposure Houston Tip Off

Christian Jones Christian Jones 6'4" | SF Bishop Montgomery | 2023 State CA-S 2025 5’10 PSAT Academy (TX)

Christian is a high level point guard who can operate and run the show, score off the bounce and control the tempo of the game. I am very impressed with his ability to create off the bounce and create separation, even against older and bigger competition. Christian is easily one of the best 2025 point guards in Texas through his ability to slow the game down and find the best shot possible. He is an impressive scorer off the bounce, with a deep bag and an ability to step back or cross you over to create separation on the perimeter. This guard really shined during his time on the court, confidently getting to his spots in the mid-range after shifting his on ball defender. His quickness with a live dribble really stood out, constantly manipulating the defense with his change of pace in the half court. He was an elite play-maker out of the pick and roll, making the right reads and picking apart the defense’s rotations.

His awareness on the offensive end was impressive, never seeming to get in the way of his teammates whenever he was off the ball and constantly finding them with creative passes. I fully expect this kid to be garnering some real division one attention over the next three years, he put on a SHOW during his freshman year averaging more than 15 points and 5 assists, and even had a game where he scored thirty… He is now showing his ability to be a true point, creating offense for his teammates and giving them crisp passes at just the right opportunities to create.

Anthony Bates Jr 2024 6’2 Katy Seven Lakes High School (TX)

Anthony is one of the most poised players that I have seen over the last few years, calmly operating and controlling the tempo of the game every time he steps on the court. Even despite facing elite defensive pressure against Arizona Compass Prep (#2 Team in the Country) he created space with his handle, squeezing through double teams on his way to the rim. He has a great handle and ability to put the ball on the floor and get to his spots. He displayed a plethora of high level moves such as floaters and creative step backs. He is a very skilled shooter off the bounce from all three levels of the floor. He pulls up in the mid-range at a very high level, constantly hunting for this long forgotten shot.Where he really stands out is through his ability to get to the rim. He is a high-level finisher in the paint due to his ability to get around defenders with quick moves such as euro steps and double clutches.

Bates is also a very aware player who knows how to attack the weak spots in the defense. I was blown away by his maturity with the basketball and willingness to take what the defense gives him. When the defense looks to take him away, he calmly makes the right reads and make sure his teammates stay involved. Where I have seen the most growth in him over the last two years has to be his work on the defensive end of the court, now he is calmly sliding over at the right time to draw charges and even meet you at the rim. He drew at least four charges in this one matchup, showing off his awareness on both ends of the court is already at the highest of levels…

Jahseem Felton Jahseem Felton 6'5" | SF Southern California Academy | 2024 #63 Nation CA-S 2024 6’6 Southern California Academy (CA)

Jahseem is a lanky point guard who loves getting downhill and finishing in the paint, but has enough confidence and skill to pick you apart on the perimeter. I was very impressed by his ability to operate out of the pick and roll and punish you with his ability to pass and create offense for his teammates. He showed an ability to run the show for Southern California Academy, pushing the tempo and finding teammates with pinpoint passes, but also play off the ball and use his basketball IQ to create separation without the ball in his hands. He is a willing cutter and always stays ready to catch and shoot from beyond as well. He has explosive leaping ability allowing him to hammer home dunks or meet you at the rim defensively. He is an incredibly switchable weapon on the defensive side of the floor due to his length. As he continues to improve his tenacity and aggression on this end of the court, I fully expect him to become an elite weapon on both ends of the court…

Fred Payne Fred Payne 6'2" | PG Legacy School Of Sport Sciences | 2023 State TX 2023 6’1 Legacy School of Sports Science (TX)

Fred is a high level combo guard who can create offense across all three levels of the floor, detonate explosive dunks on your forehead, or create offense for his teammates. He scored off the bounce from the mid-range and beyond the arc, and dominated the game with his aggression and willingness to hunt for his shot. I was very impressed watching him dance around his opponent with a live dribble and calmly pulling up in their face. He dominates every time he steps on the court through his ability by changing speeds. His sudden start and stop allows him to manipulate the defense every time he has the ball. He thrives when he is attacking the basket, and routinely gets into the teeth of the defense and finish over bigger defenders. He knows how to calmly change his shot angles to finish around his opponent at the rim. His ability to attack the rim forces a second defender to always be aware of his presence, allowing him to find the right kick out or dump off pass. Payne has all the tools, both physically and mentally to dominate at the next level, he is one to keep your eye on as he goes onto Boston College next year!

Gary Brown III Gary Brown III 5'10" | PG Pasadena Memorial | 2024 TX 2024 5’11 Pasadena Memorial High School (TX)

Gary is a high level point guard who can score from beyond the arc with the best of them, the high level shooter has been on a tear to start the season and the OTR tip-off was no different. He plays well alongside his big man, finding looks for him through entry passes and out of the pick and roll. He is a threat to punish the defense if you go under the screen to take away the big lob threat, allowing him to calmly rise up. If you cheat on the screen, it allows his big to slip to the rim and throw nasty dunks on your head. He is an incredibly dynamic and aware point guard who knows how to pass his teammates open, but also scores off the bounce with the best of them. He is a lightning quick point guard who creates separation with every crossover he makes. This undersized guard is a real difference maker on the offensive side every time he hits the floor. The sky is the limit for this guard…