North Texas Opening Weekend Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>UIL Opening weekend was one of the best in a while here in North Texas with no clear cut favorites this year for a state run. Most teams opted in for multiple games this weekend which let us really get to see who's who team and individual wise. Several players were impressive and made my watchlist for the season but here are a few standouts that deserve a first look.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2209416"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2272361,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"6'3 [player_tooltip player_id='2209416' first='Malek' last='Archie'] was my highest overall graded prospect from the Cowtown Classic in Crowley. I could go on for days about his level of dominance and impact on the court but I'll try to sum it up. Big guard, his frame sticks out immediately you even see him hoop with several pro features. At 6'3 he's able to control the pace of the game speeding up and slowing down whenever he feels like it. I could call him a slasher because he's so potent and physical off the dribble but that wouldn't do his high percentage shooting any justice. He took over for McKinney this weekend who is headed up everyone's radar at the moment dropping 14 in the first quarter. He's tough to lock in on, he can beat you in many ways. He's a high percentage shooter from anywhere on the court, he knocked down several deep shots including a buzzer beater that really took away any momentum Halton may have had. His footwork is pro, he stops and starts on the dime making it difficult to predict which move out his deep bag he'll use to finish. He finished with 31 and stuffed the stat sheet overall. Steals, blocks, deflections that really frustrated the opposing guards. His couple of block in transition where impressive as well. Note he doesn't mind scoring over anyone, he made several shots and plays at the bucket over a 6'9 prospect. Malek only only has 1 division 1 offer on the table but in my opinion could possibly end the season at 4 star caliber the way he's been playing. Make sure to check him out when you get a chance, not to many kids in the DFW are able to maintain what he does for his squad day in and day out.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-654fe5020f120"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1125971"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2272367,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"At 6'7 2024 Bryson just does all the little things you want out of your post play. He's a lanky stretch-4 that causes matchup problems every time he's on the floor. Transition play is huge here, runs the floor every play making life easy for his guards offering a outlet every play. He's also one of the best finishers in the metroplex, once he get the ball in his spots his soft touch around the rim is almost guaranteed to go in. His wingspan looks almost 7 feet long and that makes him a elite defender and rebounder as well. He blocks shots and tips anything coming his way in the post. Bryson's stock is headed way up this year. Keep him on your radar.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65529468a4c26"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2208878"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2272952,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"6'6 William Warren is a unique prospect that is heavily underrated on my list. At 6'6 having the ability to run PG 1 is impressive itself but he really showed a complete package this weekend in the season opener. He recorded 20 points against power house Newman Smith and was able to keep the game from getting out of hand. Tight handle, very shift for his size as well. He can take you off the dribble or step back and make shots from the arc making him a handful for even the best defenders in the metroplex. Martin graduated a talented senior class last year so this year will be his breakout year for sure. His open court defense was also on point, he had a couple pick pockets that lead to transition buckets. Will is still under the radar scouting wise but not for long.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65529468a4c88"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1478382"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2272965,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1478394' first='Kole' last='Williams'] had an impressive opening weekend as well in the most physical matchup I caught all weekend. He's a big guard that uses his frame and power to create opportunity on the offensive side. Smooth handle, can get through traffic and has a variety of finishes at the rim including going through you if necessary. He can shoot, his knocked down 3/4 triples including a buzzer beater, he's best shooting off the catch which is a good thing as far as him being a next level prospect. Defensively he's one of those do it all type guys. I seen him make several plays in the open court just off effort alone, he also shifted down and had a couple crazy athletics blocks that went into the stands. Kole is a competitor and you can tell he enjoys it, look for him to have a huge season at Carter this year.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65529468a4ce9"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2233765"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2272996,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"6'6 [player_tooltip player_id='2233765' first='Zion' last='Ibekwe'] was a surprise to most people this weekend but not me. Newman Smith opened up their weekend play with a tough matchup against Arlington Martin came out firing on all cylinders. Zion was able to create shots within the offense and deliver some big plays that killed any momentum Martin was able to come up with. He finished with 25 and looked to be in midseason form with a variety of mid range, 3 balls, and attacks to the rim. He also has a huge impact defensively in the middle on the perimeter and just seems to have the u0022right time right placeu0022 thing under wraps. Look for him to have a breakout season not just a scorer but a overall impact player ending up on several D1 scouts watchlist.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65529468a4d46"} /-->