Established Names Entering the Spotlight at TABC

Big names will be at Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Showcase. Talent will not be hard to find. The real question is who separates when the matchups get tougher. I'll be watching point guards who control pace and score. Guards who can create under pressure and lead their teams to victory. Big stage. Big matchups. Time to see who is built for it.    Powerful, well-built guard with a physical presence. He can play both on and off the ball and is capable of handling point guard duties when needed. If you don't take away his left hand, he can control the game for long stretches. He is equally comfortable knocking down the perimeter jumper or attacking downhill to the rim. Defensively, he brings strong physicality and length. On offense, he stays composed and never looks rushed.     Josiah Jones is a well-rounded point guard who impacts both ends of the floor. Defensively, he applies strong ball pressure and makes opposing guards uncomfortable. What stands out most is his communication. He talks constantly. Every possession. Every rotation. In between plays and even during free throws, he is engaged and directing teammates. Offensively, he is a monster in the paint. He can get downhill almost anytime he wants. Once he gets inside, the defense is playing on his terms. He can finish, drop a pass, or punish you with a floater.     Jonathan Bradley plays the game with an infectious smile and clear joy. He enjoys the challenge of making life miserable for opponents. He can pressure you with his defense and blow by you off the dribble. Just when you think you have him contained, he drops a dime to a cutting teammate. His handle is saucy and creative, yet always under control. His jumper is smooth and confident. Do not sleep on his defensive impact either. He creates havoc, forces mistakes, and quickly turns defense into offense.     Joshua Baskin might be the closest thing to an unstoppable guard I have seen in a long time. His go-to move in the open floor is a devastating left-handed in-and-out dribble. From that same move, he can hit you with a hesitation, spin back, or snap into a crossover. Defenders are often left guessing and usually beaten. Once he gets downhill, he becomes a nightmare to contain. He can stop on a dime and bury the pull-up jumper. He can also blow past you and drop a perfect pass to a cutting teammate for an easy finish. What stands out most is his mindset. He does not care who gets the credit. He just wants the scoreboard moving in his team's favor.     Bryson Bell handles the ball like a yo-yo on a string. He flows smoothly from his primary moves into counters, keeping defenders off balance. He gets in and out of traffic with ease and consistently gets downhill. More often than not, his defender is left trailing the play. His burst to the rim is explosive. Once he gets a step, he attacks with force and finishes above the rim.

Big names will be at Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Showcase. Talent will not be hard to find. The real question is who separates when the matchups get tougher. I'll be watching point guards who control pace and score. Guards who can create under pressure and lead their teams to victory. Big stage. Big matchups. Time to see who is built for it.