GASO College Station: Impressive 2023 Point Guards

Check out my scouting reports and analysis on some of the top prospects in attendance at the GASO (Great American Shoot Out) in Bryan/ College Station! These guys really popped during their time on the court, expect them to begin to garner some real attention over the next few circuit months! [player_tooltip player_id="1211673" first="Matthew" last="Gonzalez"] 2023 6’0 Marshall High School (DC Kings SA 17U) Matthew is one of the best scorers in Texas with his ability to flat out dominate from all levels of the floor, yet what sets him apart from other scorers is his natural point guard instincts and incredibly tight handle. You can tell he has spent countless hours working on tightening up his handle, using it to routinely get around his opponents and force a second defender to come up and react. When he gets downhill, defense do not know what to do with him as he scores so easily from the midrange and as he attacks the rim. However his best plays for his teammates are often made with him getting to the rack, and finding an open teammate on the back side of the play. His scoring prowess is going to make him a household name in the San Antonio area with how easily he gets it done beyond the arc. He is a complete four level scorer with the ability to threaten the defense from beyond the three point line. His aggressiveness lets him hunt for his shot, yet his consistency is such a difference maker. On the weekend he finished with fifteen three pointers made, but more impressively 42 points and all of the clutch buckets you could ask for in a nail biter! Gonzalez is a name you cannot soon forget, and if you are in the San Antonio area, be sure to get out to a game of his next season, you will not be disappointed! Ziyan Ali 2023 6’2 Spire Academy, OH (ADV4NCED Hoops) Ziyan is a high level point guard who not only facilitates for his teammates, but does all of the little things necessary to help propel his team to success. He is a willing rebounder who loves to push the pace after defensive rebounds. He always has his head up to make the right decision on the fast break, and showed an ability to make some high level passes. His basketball IQ was on full display as he forced the attention of a second defender and routinely made the right reads. He whipped high level passes across his body to the back side of the court that found his teammates right in their shooting pocket. I was very impressed with his passing ability out of all aspects of the game, especially the pick and roll and on the fast break. On the offensive end of the court, he is a complete three level scorer with his ability to catch and shoot, put the ball and the floor and get into the paint or score in the midrange. I was very impressed with his confidence and how well he attacked the defense time and time again. He always took whatever the defense gave him which allowed him to shoot the ball at a very high clip. He is a good teammate who always looks to keep his teammates heads up, and leads by example with his non stop energy on the court. I was selfishly disappointed to hear he is leaving Texas high school ball, as I will miss opportunities to see him, but is sure to be facing top competition at Spire Academy and I am excited to keep tabs on his development! Joel Elfret 2023 5’11 Katy High School (Principles First Select) Joel is a crafty point guard who has a nonstop motor that allows him to a be a real weapon on both ends of the court, diving after loose balls and long rebounds, and doing all of the little things necessary to help lead his team to victory. He loves creating opportunities for his teammates, and does so by getting into the teeth of the defense with his handle and then kicking the ball out to his shooters on the perimeter after the defense collapses on him. I was very impressed with the amount of high level basketball decisions he made, on both ends of the floor, cutting off driving angles and baiting his opponents into lazy passes and then taking the ball coast to coast. I also loved the real connection he had with his big man Cason Cole, who is also at Katy High School, constantly finding him at the right time on the perimeter when he popped out of the pick and roll or as he cut to the rim. The two of them dominated out of the pick and roll, seeming to read each other’s mind and always made the right basketball play. <div class="article-content"> </div> Jayden Thompson 2023 6’0 Cedar Ridge High School (Austin United Purple) Jayden is an intelligent point guard who uses his high basketball IQ to create opportunities for himself and his teammates on both ends of the court. He has incredibly active hands that allow him to routinely poke the ball free from his opponents, but also moves his feet really well to keep his opponent in front of him. When he needs to slide over as a help defender, he is good at staying vertical to reject the shot down low. He has an explosive leaping ability, allowing him to contest more shots than you would think at the rim! He is a high level rebounder for his position as well, constantly creating easy second chance points and jump-starting the fast break with defensive rebounds. On the offensive end, he is a very smooth finisher constantly finishing over defenders and avoiding contact. He is great at using eurosteps at the last moment to create some separation. I was very impressed with how well he made difficult passes look routine, even after he had already left his feet and realized that his first option was not open. LaRoderick Davis 2023 6’0 Lancaster High School (M.L. Elite) LaRoderick is an aware point guard who can create for others, and excels at making things happen in the pick and roll. He had a great connection with his big man who set good screens and rolled hard to the basket, or slipped the screen after the defender expected the contact. Time after time Davis found his teammates with timely passes on the interior, allowing them to quickly get up shots down low. He is a force attacking the rim, and can do so not only off going up strong and using his frame to attack the last defender, but also getting up a soft floater to score over taller defenders. I was very impressed with his touch down low for his size and he looks to be a real weapon with his ability to drive and kick to set up his teammates on the perimeter.