GASO Review: Six Who Should be on Your Recruiting List

The Great American Shootout (GASO) was a high caliber event during the NCAA live period. There were a ton of talented preps playing at the Southwest Athletic Center (SWAC) in Carrollton during the weekend. As I watched the various teams and players at the center, there were some preps who stood out. There were six who had huge weekends in front of the coaches and scouts in attendance. In this Prep Hoops Louisiana review of the GASO , we will look at six who should be on numerous scouting lists.   [player_tooltip player_id='1393932' first='Kerel' last='Dean-Woods'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2076374' first='OWE' last=''] EYCL) - To be honest, many people do not usually get to see Dean-Woods full skill set because he has to play the post. H[program_tooltip program_id='2076374' first='OWE' last='']ver, the observers at the SWAC did. Dean-Woods can score at all three levels. He has a feathery three point shot, knows how to score in the post, and can make mid-range jumpers. Kerel can take players his size off the dribble and has the wherewithal to finish through contact. Defensively, he has learned how to block shots without fouling. While slender in build, he rebounds with strength and assertiveness. Highly skilled is Dean-Woods.   Sam Funches IV (ISOJoe 16U EYCL) - If no one knew the 6'11" forward out of Mississippi before the GASO, they are acquainted with him now. Funches was a dominating force in the paint for the majority of the weekend in Texas. Any offensive or defensive rebound that came off, he got it. Funches scored easily over his right shoulder and on put backs. When he floated about beyond the arc, her was comfortable there as well. Funches is   a player who can play inside and out or on the floor with another big.   Aiden Duran ([program_tooltip program_id='2076144' first='Houston' last='Superstars']) - Duran is a forward who has a well-rounded game as well. He handles the ball in space and in traffic like a smaller guard. Aiden has a filled out upper body which all[program_tooltip program_id='2076374' first='OWE' last='']d him to take contact on drives and in the post. Speaking of posting, he knows how to play in the post. He used a plethora of moves to score layups or get fouled. Duran drifted out to the perimeter to knock in a couple of shots. H[program_tooltip program_id='2076374' first='OWE' last='']ver, his bread and butter is getting downhill. He is a handful to stop when he has the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='2447588' first='Ivan' last='Dorn Jr.'] (ASAK 17U 3SSB) - Dorn might not have scored a multitude of points during the game I saw. H[program_tooltip program_id='2076374' first='OWE' last='']ver, there are tons of other things to like about his play. Defensively, he does not shy away from guarding big men. His movement when defending in space is excellent as well. Dorn has active hands and feet which allow him to defend without fouling while contesting all shots. He attacks the ball when he rebounds. In transition, he is very fast and finishing above the rim is not a problem. Dorn is a defensive stalwart on this level with room to grow offensively.   Jonathan VanBuren (ISOJoe 16U EYCL) - VanBuren is a constant ball of energy on the floor. He is also an ultra-athletic guard who can hurt a team from anywhere on the floor. Jonathan displayed the ability to consistently make mid-range shots during the weekend. He also got to the rim using his strength coupled with a quick first step. Defensively, VanBuren gave guards he defended trouble because he guarded them aggressively. His energy and attacking style on offense and defense was refreshing to see.   Talmadge Taylor (GPS West Texas) - Taylor may have been the surprise of the weekend for me. He is a guard/wing who seems like the game comes easily to him. Taylor is a player who is long and rangy while remaining silky smooth with his game. He handles like a smaller guard and can get to the rim easily. Talmadge also has the best mid-range game I have seen in years. Turn around and fade or pull up, his rise and extension on his jumper was unguardable. Defensively, he blocked shots of post players with his length. Taylor is a guard who could really develop into a top player.   These players were some of the more impressive ones over the weekend in Dallas. Their skill set and the way they play the game is very intriguing. For a coach who was looking for a diamond in the rough or needed some assurance about a known commodity, they got it in DFW.

The Great American Shootout (GASO) was a high caliber event during the NCAA live period. There were a ton of talented preps playing at the Southwest Athletic Center (SWAC) in Carrollton during the weekend. As I watched the various teams and players at the center, there were some preps who stood out. There were six who had huge weekends in front of the coaches and scouts in attendance. In this Prep Hoops Louisiana review of the GASO , we will look at six who should be on numerous scouting lists.