Mayhem in the Plex: 15U Showstoppers
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There are those players out there that make you stop and do a double take and think to yourself, “Hold on, did he really just do that?!”. Below are a group of players that do just that and they’re a…
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Continue ReadingThere are those players out there that make you stop and do a double take and think to yourself, “Hold on, did he really just do that?!”. Below are a group of players that do just that and they’re a huge part of their team’s success.
Dylan Omoyi
Dylan Omoyi
Dylan was HUGE for his team in multiple games and he was one of the best players I saw all weekend. He’s a multi-sport athlete and he oozes athleticism and hustle. His footwork is impeccable – spin moves, pivots, counters – Omoyi knows how to get to his spots and drain buckets. He seems to have an endless amount of energy, consistently grabbing offensive boards for extra opportunities for his team. No lie – I saw him get three offensive boards on the SAME possession and score on his fourth opportunity. It’s not everyday you see hustle and determination at that level. He’s a finisher amidst chaos – it seems like no matter what you throw at him defensively, he’ll work his way through it and outsmart or overpower his opponents. He’s a fierce defender and will stick to his man in a full-court press throughout the game despite the amount of energy he expels on the offensive end. Omoyi has talent through the roof and is going to continue to turn heads as long as he puts the work in. Can’t wait to see what’s next for him this summer and in his sophomore season.
Taz Carlson
Taz Carlson
Taz is incredibly active in the paint and his 6’7″ frame gives him a dominant presence on defense. He uses his height and length well – altering and swatting shots, grabbing any and every board on both ends, and keeping the ball out of reach for easy floaters and layups against opposing defenses. He’s tough and not afraid to get physical with anybody on the court. He hopped right back up multiple times after taking what looked like painful spills after getting tangled with opponents on the hardwood. He’s versatile for a big man – I saw him running the fast break on multiple occasions and his court vision and passing are next level. At one point during a game – I saw him make a Jokic-like assist, grabbing a pass in mid-air and dishing it to his streaking teammate for an easy bucket before his feet touched the ground again. He racks up second-chance opportunities with his work on the offensive glass and he makes so many positive impact plays for his team. Carlson will continue to grow and develop and has the skills to be an impact player on any squad as long as he keeps working. Excited to see him get even bigger and better.
Jordan Jones Jordan Jones 6'3" | SF Garland Rowlett | 2027 TX
Jordan Jones Jordan Jones 6'3" | SF Garland Rowlett | 2027 TX
Jordan is FUN to watch because he can shake and bake his defender with the best of them. He’s an excellent ballhandler with a mean stutter step that reminds me of prime Derrick Rose. He’s graceful in the air with solid hang time that allows him to adjust his finish to whatever his defender gives him, which makes him an incredibly tough assignment for his opponent. He swats shots cross-court and does not mess around if you’re coming at him in the paint. He’s a long 6’2″ and can cover positions 1-3 effectively with his length and quickness. Another thing I love about Jordan’s game is his patience. You can tell he has a high basketball IQ with the way he analyzes the defense and takes his time easing into the best shot opportunity or pass available. He can find his teammates in an instant with the space he creates and zip passes through the thinnest lanes to get his teammates easy points. Jordan is going to make plenty of noise this summer and throughout his sophomore season.
Cruz is unbelievably speedy and he uses his quickness to beat his defenders down the floor for easy lay-ins and showstopping passes. The way he dishes the ball to his teammates makes me think he’s channeling Nash or Magic at times – behind the back passes, overhead, underhand, behind his defender’s back – all with laser-like accuracy. He’s got a solid fadeaway shot that he can use on his more relentless defenders and if that doesn’t work, he’ll use his solid footwork to get around them for an open look at the basket. Blackmon can also get serious on the defensive end, blocking shots in the paint and locking down his opponents with tight man-to-man coverage. He has a solid Euro step that he’ll combine with his quickness on drives down the floor to make a bucket virtually inevitable. Cruz is going to continue to develop and get bigger and better and I’m excited to see the waves he makes this summer going into his sophomore campaign.
Highlights
Gavin brings a TON to his Pure Ambition 2027 squad and his speed and passing ability make them dangerous in a serious way. He was one of the fastest players I saw with very few being able to keep pace with him down the court. His court vision is off the charts and I imagine his teammates have to love playing with him because of the easy buckets they get in return. He anticipates action and movement before it happens and he sees passing lanes that your average player simply won’t. Simpson is also incredibly calm under pressure and can work his way out of traps and think through solutions during any havoc the defense attempts to throw at him. He’s got a solid jumper and knows how to arc it high and keep it accurate and out of reach for even the lengthiest of defenders. Gavin is lethal on the defensive end – creating disruptions and snagging steals for extra possessions for his team. Simpson is going to get better and better and he’s a must-have on your radar this summer and going into next season.