Texas Freshman Showcase: Complete Players

I was so excited to see the massive amount of talent at The Freshman Showcase in Haltom City this past weekend. There were a handful of individuals that stood out from the pack in the best ways and their evaluations are below for you.    Blake is a versatile, skilled combo guard that is constantly all over the court for his squad in a good way. His court awareness is off the charts and he always seems to make the right next move or decision in rapid fashion. This mindset and approach makes it difficult for his opponents to keep up with him throughout his games. He uses his body incredibly well in the air, often absorbing contact and contorting his frame in a manner that gives him the best look for an and-1. He can get streaky hot from beyond the arc and he never looks panicked, always calm under pressure. I think Blake is going to make a BIG impression in his freshman year and the attention will only grow throughout his high school campaign.     Madon is a speedy, talented guard that can literally do it all. What he currently lacks in size, he more than makes up for with heart and hustle. He has incredibly active hands on defense - regularly causing disruptions and adding to his steal tally on the stat sheet. He's always focused on the ball and he is absolutely fearless, I didn't see any hesitation on his part if he was open or he saw a better look for a teammate. He can score with ease and create his own offense if needed, but with the way he plays, it's rare that he needs to go into iso-mode. The thing that stood out to me the most about his game - he makes the most of every single possession and every opportunity. He plays at full speed and doesn't apologize for it, which I love. I can't wait to see all the noise McLemore makes in high school.     Messiah may have been the best player I saw at the showcase. He's a lightning-fast guard with a burst that couldn't be matched by anyone on the court. The first time I saw him accelerate, I wasn't sure I believed my eyes. He has an extra gear that he kicks into on the drive or fast break that makes it nearly impossible to keep pace with him. On top of his speed, he's an incredibly well-rounded player - fantastic passing ability and court vision, excellent defender that gives his opponents no space to work with and jumps the opposing passing lane for easy steals, always involved on every play, and he's fearless - no hesitation and no hanging his head. One of my favorite things I saw from him - every time his coach shouted an adjustment from the sideline, he responded immediately with action and got it done. I expect we will be hearing Lynch's name a ton during his high school career, and with the way he hustles, it'll be well deserved.     Levi is a confident, impressive guard that can do it all for his squad. The first thing I noticed about his game was his MEAN crossover and how nobody on the court seemed to be able to counter it. The emphasis with which he winds up on one side and rapidly swings to the other while blowing by his opponent is a ton of fun to watch and almost Iverson-like. He's a knockdown shooter with beautiful form and rotation. He puts in the work on the glass on both ends and he has advanced footwork for his age. His court awareness is elite and he always seems to make the right decisions, even in high-pressure situations. To top all of that off, he works his tail off on defense and he's a talented passer, always looking for the best opportunities available for his teammates. Mason will be a force in his high school campaign and I can't wait to see it.     Joey is a lengthy, fast combo guard that is the definition of a player that makes nothing but impact plays. Wherever the ball is, it's likely you'll find him with it or around it. He's a pest on defense in the best ways - always disrupting, creating steals, in the mix to clean the glass, and creating extra opportunities for his team. He shows no fear when driving the lane and often finds himself at the charity stripe for easy points. He uses his body well and is talented at absorbing contact and capitalizing regardless of how light or severe it was. He makes a ton of things happen himself, but he elevates his teammates and makes his entire team better with his decision-making and quick action. I have a feeling we'll be hearing about House often throughout his high school campaign and I can't wait to watch him play again.

I was so excited to see the massive amount of talent at The Freshman Showcase in Haltom City this past weekend. There were a handful of individuals that stood out from the pack in the best ways and their evaluations are below for you.