Saturday Afternoon Forward Standouts: GASO Austin/ Round Rock
Check out my analysis on the guys who really popped on Saturday at the Austin/ Round Rock GASO tournament this weekend! These guys have really been turning heads over the last few months, if they are in your area you…
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Continue ReadingCheck out my analysis on the guys who really popped on Saturday at the Austin/ Round Rock GASO tournament this weekend! These guys have really been turning heads over the last few months, if they are in your area you need to get out and see them this next season!
David Punch 2024 6’7 Harker Heights High School (ASAK 16U Elite)
David has been absolutely dominant every time he stepped on the court this weekend, using his frame to routinely finish over defenders and through contact down low. His opponents often times resorted to simply hacking him to prevent him from getting to the rim and allowing him to flush a dunk on their head. He is a consistent free throw shooter, allowing him to punish defenders for lazy defense every time down.The most head turning aspect to his game is the ease in which he can get his shot up over defenders. He has a smooth jumper, paired with a high release point allowing him to confidently shoot over anyone on any spot on the floor. He is a natural shooter who you can tell has had very good coaching to fine tune his mechanics. I was also very impressed with his attention to detail as he attacked the glass on both ends of the court. He willingly boxed out his opponents and naturally seemed to seal off his opponents any time he wanted to. His overall dominance down low allowed the rest of his teammates to defend the perimeter with even more intensity, knowing that Punch was back their to clean it up. He is a natural rim protector and routinely ends possessions with strong defensive rebounds. I would like to see him work on developing his soft bunny hook with his weak shoulder, you can tell he is working on it already, but if he becomes to be even more consistent with his post moves and quick one dribble pull ups from the corner the sky is the limit for him!
Ma’shy Hill Ma’shy Hill 6'9" | C Spire | 2023 State #251 Nation OH 2023 6’9 (Austin) St. Michaels High School (ASAK 17U Elite)
Ma’Shy is a very intriguing athlete with his rare blend of size, strength and athleticism. I was very impressed with how well he moved laterally, with his incredibly broad shoulders, looking like he could also line up at linebacker in a pinch for his football team. His strength bled through onto the basketball court, seeming to strike fear into his opponents when matched up down low. No one wanted to jump with him, allowing him to flush dunks on seemingly anyone with his natural bounce. I was very impressed with the energy he brought for his team every time he stepped on the court, that kind of thing definitely caught college coaches eyes from this weekend. He had one play where he almost finished a dunk through a hard foul, made the first free throw, and snatched the second one off the rim and finished it. I was very impressed with how naturally he finished with either hand underneath the basket. I would like to see him work on his ability to affect the game from the mid-range and out of the triple threat, once he begins to attack more out of the face up and with a quick one to two dribble move, I am not sure there are many kids in Texas who can defend him!
Cade Kitrell 2023 6’8 (Round Rock) Cedar Ridge High School (ProSkills ATX Brown)
Cade might have been the most polished big prospect in attendance at GASO Austin/ Round Rock this weekend, naturally and calmly finishing on either side of the basket, and dominating his opponents in the paint on the defensive end. I was very impressed with how well he could play out of the high post, handling the ball and orchestrating dribble hand-offs and screened at a very high level. He created space every time he went to set his feet, allowing his guards ample time to get around him. He is good at sealing the last defender when his lead guard and him are looking at the rim after a ball screen. On the defensive side of things, he is an ideal post defender, and tied up his opponents on their way up. He snatched the ball and came up with blocks time and time again. On the glass, he was active on the offensive end of things coming up with tip ins and easy second chance points. Every time I looked over at him play he seemed to be rejecting a shot or spinning off his defender for an easy look in the paint. Be sure to keep your eyes on Kitrell as he is going into his senior year!
KJ Holmes 2023 6’6 Rudder High School (ADV4NCED Hoops 17U)
KJ is a lanky finisher who showed a real ability to use his handle to get into the paint. I was very impressed with how well he attacked the glass, and used all of his length to his advantage, stretching around his defender to score in the paint. He is patient when he is underneath the basket, routinely using head fakes to manipulate his opponent, and open space for him to duck through to score an up and under. On the fast break, he made good decisions and showed to be unselfish even as he has a bit of daylight ahead of him, if a teammate had a better lane, he gave it up. Defensively, he is a natural rim protector, who smartly comes over as a help defender to reject shot opportunities in the paint. I would like to see him tighten up his ability to space the floor, as well as working on staying in control with a live dribble every time he is driving toward the rim.
Cason Cole 2023 6’6 Katy High School (Principle First Select)
Cason is an impressive forward/ wing prospect with his ability to dominate on the interior, but also stretch out the defense with his shot making ability and how he handles the ball. I loved his non stop energy and motor that he displayed, chasing down long rebounds and loose balls to grab extra possessions for his team. Cole’s energy on the glass was very impressive, jumping multiple times to fight on the interior. On the defensive side of things, he showed off his ability to move his feet and defend on the perimeter. Cole is a monster when he is attacking a closeout hard, coming away with tips and really making his opponent speed up their shot. I would like to see him work on his ability to go coast to coast with a live dribble and attacking more out of the triple threat and facing up his opponent.