TABC 2024 Showcase: Day 3 Underdog Point Guards

Langston Adams is the biggest sleeper in his class, with an extremely high ceiling and filled with tons of potential and determination. He plays with a lot of competitive fire, fueling his explosive and intentional game. Adams had full control of the offense, setting things up as everything goes through him first. He handles the ball well and showcases an unselfish passing style. Defensively, Adams is relentless. When defending on the ball, he aggressively invades his opponent's space, forcing turnovers. In helpside defense, he excels at staying engaged, tracking his man, and hedging drives to force turnovers, then recovering and contesting shots effectively. At 5'8”, his size may not impress, but his ability to overcome it and make a significant impact on the game certainly will.     [player_tooltip player_id='1639267' first='Dailon' last='Minor'] stood out as a floor general by playing with great pace and patience, allowing plays to develop while orchestrating the offense. His court awareness and passing prowess enabled him to instantly spot and exploit mismatches. Minor made the majority of his plays within the mid-range, where he loved to create space with contact for pull-up jumpers or kick-out passes. He played as if he had the ball on a string, capable of getting into the paint and any other spot on the floor. Unfazed by any defensive scheme, he could break down and shake off any guard in front of him, always ready with a counter move to get through help defense. Minor impacted the offense heavily with his crafty ways of scoring, utilizing ball fakes and pump fakes to get defenders off balance or off their feet, allowing him to step through for shots. Great with bump contact, he proved capable of bodying and posting up other guards despite size differences. He skillfully used his body to initiate contact with defenders, creating space when driving to the basket or maneuvering in the mid-range. By initiating contact, he often caught defenders off guard, forcing them to react and potentially commit fouls.     [player_tooltip player_id='1560922' first='Michael' last='Best'] is as natural a basketball player as they come, playing with pure passion and an innate feel for the game. His beautiful lefty jumpshot features textbook mechanics and a sharp release, making his pull-up jumper one of the most effective and feared elements of his offensive game. Best's ability to create separation, shift his balance, and execute with confidence sets him apart. His advanced basketball IQ is evident in plays like his convincing pump fake, which consistently fooled defenders on closeouts, causing them to leave their feet. What stands out most about Michael's game is his understanding that simplicity often yields the best results, he never overcomplicates his moves, getting the job done efficiently and effectively.     [player_tooltip player_id='1225319' first='Ja'Cobe' last='Coleman'] showcased outstanding defensive prowess, sticking to ball handlers like glue by moving his feet and using his body to cut off angles. He wasn't afraid to apply physical pressure, bumping opponents and making them uncomfortable, which wore down ball handlers over the course of the game. Coleman excelled at keeping the ball near the sideline and backcourt, forcing long passes and rushed shots. His constant pressure led to turnovers, rushed decisions, and ultimately had a significant impact on the game's outcome. Offensively, Coleman did an excellent job of capitalizing on transition opportunities by pulling up for elbow jumpers. He smartly took advantage of the defense sinking into the paint, showcasing his ability to read the game and make the most of what was given to him.     [player_tooltip player_id='2221914' first='David' last='Chong'] is a downhill guard who excels at getting to the basket with his impressive handles and counter footwork, allowing him to slice through traffic effortlessly. He plays with elite reaction time that often catches defenders off guard. Chong is phenomenal at attracting attention, making him an effective playmaker who anticipates plays before they happen and visualizes where his teammates will be, delivering precise passes accordingly. His ball-handling skills are impeccable, maintaining a low dribble with quick taps that prevent defenders from stealing the ball as he blows by them. Chong excels at finding cutters and duck-ins on the drive, placing the ball where only his teammates can catch it and go up immediately. Throughout the weekend, he was one of the best at letting the game come to him, showcasing his ability to adapt and make smart decisions under pressure.