Thanksgiving Hoopfest: Day 1 Stand Outs
In this article:
One of the top events of the year has made it’s way to Dallas again. Hoopfest, full of crazy match up’s from local to national talent. Here are some kids that really brought their A game even when matched up…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingOne of the top events of the year has made it’s way to Dallas again. Hoopfest, full of crazy match up’s from local to national talent. Here are some kids that really brought their A game even when matched up with top notch competition.
6-5 Jaylon Dean-Vines Jaylon Dean-Vines 6’4″ | SG Dallas Kimball | 2025 State #231 Nation TX has been killing it all season for 5a state champ Kimball. Against elite competitition he’s been able to be most efficiency leading his squad to a 2-0 weekend. Athletic, kid can jump out the gym on a light day and he’s not scared to use that ability when attacking the rim on and off ball. His confidence is the first thing that jumps out at you, he seemed to make his mind up that he’s the best player on the court before every game. He’s most dangerous in transition with a crazy bounce finishing high flying dunks and layups. Defensively he also make plays at the rim on bigger opponents and provides some good size at the guard position to frustrate ball handlers. His jump shot also seems to be improved every time I see him which makes him impossible to deal with defensively if he’s connecting from the outside. Jaylon opened the weekend with a 19 point game against Putnam City West. Make sure he’s on your radar for the season.
6’4 Camden Cowgill Camden Cowgill 6’3″ | SG San Antonio Brennan | 2025 State #382 Nation TX was impressive on Friday against some elite competition in Isidore Newman (SA) putting up numbers in every category. He’s long and athletic and provides a high percentage shooter especially from the corner which stretches the offense forcing the defense to leave him open or let the ball handler drive. In addition, he grabs some big rebounds boxing out opponents bigger then him. Impact guy, he does the little things not everyone wants to do that contributes to wins for Brennan. He also made some solid defensive plays that lead to easy transition buckets which is Brennan’s bread and butter. Camden is set for a stock rising season and a prospect coaches should have their eye on this year as Brennan looks to be a shoe in for the regional and state tournament.
2024 Isaac Williams Isaac Williams 6’2″ | PG Oak Cliff Faith Family | 2024 State #267 Nation TX had a great showing on Friday against power house Montverde Academy finishing with 24 points and 6 Reb. Anyone who knows basketball knows that Montverde is widely considered the number 1 squad in America with talent like future lottery draft pick Cooper Flagg. While Faith Family was overpowered as a team, there were a couple of bright spots and Isaac was one of those. Nice sized guard, at 6’3 with a smooth handle it was the perfect game for him to show his skills off. Offensively he was smooth and didn’t look rattled at all. He was able to penetrate a NBA sized defense and make some tough layups in traffic over anyone in his way. He also distributed the ball pretty well setting up Colorado commit Doryan Onwuchekwa Doryan Onwuchekwa 6’10” | C Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy | 2024 State #101 Nation TX for some easy lays. His defense was elite as well and he is stock riser headed into the season for Texas powerhouse Faith Family that looks to make another state run this year.
6’10 Logan Alexander Logan Alexander 6’9″ | PF C.E. King | 2025 TX was a man amongst boys on Day 1 of the Hoopfest in Dallas. His size is pro like and it just proved to be to much for Arlington Sam Houston which also has some nice size at the center position. Equally dominant on both sides I found myself saying wow 2/3 times already just in the first quarter. He’s skilled at the position offensively, not just in the scoring area but understands how to use his body and size to box out and pass off the post up to set up his guards. He through down some major dunks and oops off a 2 foot bounce showing his athletic ability. Defensively he also provided several big time blocks pinning shots on the back board and even taking a couple shots out the shooter hand mid air. Overall Logan is an impressive prospect that has proved he can be efficient even against opponents his size. Look out for him to make some noise all year at CE King.
6’10 Cristopher Cenac was another dominate big on day 1 in Dallas. Despite falling short to one of Texas’s best programs he really stood out and made it clear he is a big in his own class. Sharp footwork around the basket with a soft touch, once he got a touch he just didn’t miss many shots in the paint. At 6’10 he showed alot of mobility moving up and down the floor in transition and specializes in putbacks off of missed shots. He also has a high IQ floating into open space off screens making it easy for his guards to get him the ball over the top. Defensively he made some big plays using his wingspan to protect the basket and contest short jump shots. Cristopher is a fresh face for me from LA that is a no brainer when it comes to your radar for the season.