Summertime Sleeper Watchlist: C/o 2021

<h3 style="padding-left: 40px; text-align: center;">Grassroots basketball has returned and several players are having the chance to show just how much they have been working and improving during the quarantine. This summer is an important one for the 2021 graduates still looking for their next stop after high school. These five athletes are just a few of the recruits that I believe have continued to stay dedicated to getting better every day. </h3> <h3 style="padding-left: 40px; text-align: center;">Javen Hutton - PB Nation - Guard</h3> Hutton is a legit bucket getter with some dynamic scoring abilities. This combo-guard has quality athleticism, quick reaction time, and is near unstoppable in the open court due to his speed. A highly confident ballplayer when it comes to putting the ball in the hoop. Javen displays good balance and lift on his jump shots, has a nice form, and gets his shot up in a drop of a dime. Slick, smooth, crafty, and focused while driving the lane and finishing with either hand. Hutton has a knack for splitting the defense and blowing by his opponents, has a very explosive first step move that most defenders have trouble slowing down. Defensively, he gets after it, an incredibly tough defender who's not afraid to sacrifice his body for the ball. His anticipation is well above average, but it’s his strong super quick hands that really give other teams problems. Javen will either poke that ball out or snatch it away if he has to, and he’ll even jump full-court and cross-court passes with ease. Being unaware of your surroundings or careless with the ball around Hutton is a huge mistake because he will definitely make you pay. 6’1 Javen Hutton has raw talent, he’s a productive player who’s still improving and is just scratching the surface. He’s a name to remember, already off to a good start this summer and gaining a lot of attention. I don’t think there’s a cap on how good this young man can be. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/10027454/5c8da5713453c210846cebe0" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <h3 style="padding-left: 40px; text-align: center;">[player_tooltip player_id="1003835" first="Jacob" last="Millhouse"] - Texas Impact 4:13 - Shooting Guard</h3> <img class="wp-image-1003832 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/DSC_0166-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="243" height="162" /> This 6’3 sharpshooter has been making some nosie this grassroots season. Jacob is a 3-point sniper that is always ready to let it fly. His form is excellent and his release is quick and high, just a flat out lethal shooter even when contested. His development through these last few months is noticeable, his handles have gotten better, he’s beating his man off the dribble more, and he’s also making quick decisions and moves with the ball. He has a long first step and a spin move that usually creates the space he needs to get his shot off or to make the pass he’s looking for. Millhouse has a savviness on the court that sets him apart from most shooting guards. He often makes plays that show off just how high his basketball IQ is offensively, defensively, with and without the ball; whether it’s moving around to get open from three, finding an open man, or jumping the passing lanes to get steals. [player_tooltip player_id="1003835" first="Jacob" last="Millhouse"] has the type of game that will translate well and make him a very formidable piece at the college level. He’s continued to show improvements on his skillset, therefore there’s no doubt in my mind that Jacob will pop up on our ranking boards before his senior year ends. <iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QwreVVHaFD8" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <h3 style="padding-left: 40px; text-align: center;">[player_tooltip player_id="1006614" first="Xavier" last="Savage"] - Texas Legion Elite - Point Guard</h3> <img class="wp-image-1006612 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/DSC_0001-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="160" /> [player_tooltip player_id="1006614" first="Xavier" last="Savage"] is not an easy player to prepare for, there’s an abundance of ways he can put points on the boards and make a difference on the court. His game really jumps out at you, he’s a guy that you can’t help but notice out there. A truly remarkable scorer that has no problem putting the team on his back and carrying the scoring load. Impressive ball-handling skills, Savage has a bag of moves that get him to his spots every time. One of the best one-on-one point guards you’ll find, he does a great job of creating his own shot, getting open looks, and breaking down the defense with his footwork and speed combined with his crossovers, hesitation, and stepback moves. Very good at shooting off the dribble, Xavier has a mean pull up jumper from mid-range and beyond the arc, and can also be a threat in catch and shoot situations. [player_tooltip player_id="1006614" first="Xavier" last="Savage"] is by far one of the most underrated and overlooked point guards the city has to offer, but I think it’s safe to say that he's on his way to becoming one of the most skilled point guards in all of Dallas/Fort Worth. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9917695/5e7918005b3c870ab850a290" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <h3 style="padding-left: 40px; text-align: center;">[player_tooltip player_id="1003760" first="Cale" last="Martens"] - Texas Impact 4:13 - Forward</h3> [player_tooltip player_id="1003760" first="Cale" last="Martens"] made his name known this past season at Marcus high school when he took home the 6A Newcomer of the Year award. He’s a true stretch-four, Cale has a high IQ can beat his man in the paint, or step outside to hit a few jumpers. Martens shows the ability to create for himself down low, he has a strong base with good footwork and post moves. Solid pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop player, very smart at knowing when to roll, post up, or pop out. Martens also executes plays well, he does an exceptional job of moving and scoring within the offense. This 6’7 forward is becoming a pure shooter and scorer and it’s starting to show; he has a nice form, release, and touch when he shoots. Cale can dominate on the glass as well, strong at establishing position, boxing out, and catching the ball at its peak; double-digit rebounding games have become the norm for him. [player_tooltip player_id="1003760" first="Cale" last="Martens"] is someone to take note of, he’s a unique athlete who is off to a hot start this summer and his high-level play and potential are starting to garner a lot of attention. <iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Bd64az1wgSA" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <h3 style="padding-left: 40px; text-align: center;">[player_tooltip player_id="1008467" first="Montez" last="Young Jr."] - Urban DFW Elite - Forward</h3> This freakishly athletic prospect plays with an unlimited amount of energy all game long. His high motor is what stands out the most, consistently making spectacular plays with his athleticism on both ends of the court. Montez Young is an extraordinary leaper that can get up and throw it down with the best of them. Defensively, he’s an all-around threat, he’s a lockdown disruptive on-ball defender, he’s extremely deadly in the passing lanes, and has phenomenal instincts. His relentless defensive nature is the best aspect of his game, he doesn’t let up for one second, he’s always aggressive and giving outstanding effort. Young Jr. comes up with plenty of steals thanks to explosiveness and quick choppy feet and hands; he even utilizes his length perfectly to, his long reach allows him to come out of nowhere and get blocks and deflections when you least expect it. [player_tooltip player_id="1008467" first="Montez" last="Young Jr."] is one of, if not the, best defender in the whole city. He’s a bit undersized for his position at 6’4, but his athleticism and will to win makes up for it all. Everything he brings to the court makes his team better and will translate to the next level. Montez is a rare prospect that can make noise and change the outcome of a game all with his defensive presence. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13812508/5e8f95a43dec2c17ecb197ec" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>