The Texas Expo: All-Showcase Team

[player_tooltip player_id='1583464' first='Te'Zhan' last='Francois'] stood out with his rebounding and ball-hawk ability, especially for a guard, thanks to his quick reflexes, anticipation, and ability to cover ground. Despite his size, he consistently swooped in for boards and flew across the court to snag steals in passing lanes. Once he secured the ball, his coast-to-coast speed and acceleration were remarkable, quickly turning defense into offense. Francois could accelerate up the court with exceptional quickness, often leaving defenders trailing in transition. When he grabbed a steal, his explosive burst allowed him to capitalize on fast breaks, weaving through traffic and finishing at the rim or dishing to teammates. His combination of speed, quickness, and sharp instincts made him a lethal threat in open-court situations. Francois regularly produced steals and turnovers, causing havoc on a play-to-play basis.     [player_tooltip player_id='2610435' first='Braydn' last='Alward']'s ability to contribute in multiple areas on both ends of the court made him one of the top prospects in the building. Offensively, Alward could play inside and out, putting the ball on the floor to get a shot in one or two dribbles, excelling in the post with his footwork and finishing, while also stepping out to hit mid-range or three-point shots. Alward had solid ball-handling skills for his position, allowing him to initiate offense, drive to the rim, or create offense off the dribble. Defensively, his versatility stood out, as he could guard multiple positions, using his length and mobility to defend both bigger players in the post and quicker guards on the perimeter. He also excelled in transition, running the floor, finishing at the rim, or finding open teammates, all while crashing the boards on both ends. His adaptability made him crucial in systems that emphasized positional flexibility and team-oriented play.     [player_tooltip player_id='2610437' first='Caden' last='Deffebaugh'] was not only the most elite prospect in attendance but also the most exciting, showcasing an incredible blend of athleticism and scoring versatility. His scoring arsenal made him a constant threat from all three levels. Deffebaugh moved gracefully off his feet, with explosive leaping ability and impressive hang time. He attacked the rim with such power and force that opponents began backing off when he picked up a full head of steam, knowing how dangerous he was once he decided to finish at the rim.     [player_tooltip player_id='2115278' first='Henry' last='Beckett'], the biggest breakout name to know, standing out for his impact on both ends of the floor as a very fundamentally sound player. Defensively, he was outstanding, showing elite potential with his shot-blocking instincts and timing. Pesky on-ball defensive prowess with good lateral foot quickness. Beckett used his length and athleticism to alter shots and cover a lot of ground, effectively guarding multiple positions. His ability to read the game and anticipate plays allowed him to disrupt passing lanes and rack up steals as well. Beckett also never stopped running the floor for fastbreak scoring opportunities following the ball on the way to the rim. Offensively, Beckett's game was impressive as well. He has a reliable shooting stroke, capable of knocking down three-pointers and mid-range jumpers, which spaced the floor and opened up driving lanes. Whether as a scorer, playmaker, or defender, [player_tooltip player_id='2115278' first='Henry' last='Beckett'] played an all-around game throughout the day proving to be one of the most well-rounded and dynamic players on the court.     [player_tooltip player_id='2610436' first='Bryant' last='Herring'] was always in the right spot at the most opportune time, making his opponents work for everything they got and giving up nothing easy. He contributed significantly to his team often without needing to score, excelling in multiple areas of the game. Defensively, Herring was a standout, took pride in taking on the tasks of guarding the opposing team's best players, using his athleticism, strength, and length to disrupt shots and force turnovers. A versatile defender with great size, Bryant could switch between positions, effectively guarding both wings and bigs. Herring was also a strong rebounder, particularly on the defensive end, where his energy and timing allowed him to secure, control the boards, and initiate fast breaks. His playmaking abilities were impressive, acting as a secondary ball-handler, finding open teammates with smart passes in half-court sets or transition. Bryant also proved to be an elite cutter, frequently moving without the ball to create layup or mid-range opportunities, drawing defenders, and opening space for others. His hustle, leadership, and basketball IQ were phenomenal intangibles that impacted the game far beyond scoring.     Dominant post presence offensively and defensively completely controlling the outcome of what happened in the paint often dictating the flow of the game around the basket. Offensively, Pearson used his size, strength, and footwork to overpower defenders, establishing deep position in the post to score efficiently. Whether backing down opponents, beating them his first step, or using a variety of post moves like hooks, drop steps, and up-and-unders, Pearson consistently created high-percentage looks at the rim himself. His ability force defenses to collapse, opened up passing lanes for shooters and cutters. Defensively, Strake protected the rim with presence and positioning, altering shot attempts and making it nearly impossible for opponents to get look inside. Dominant on the boards, securing defensive rebounds and preventing second-chance opportunities while also being an anchor in help defense, rotating to shut down drives. His control over the paint effectively changed the strategy of opposing teams, intimidating anyone from attempting to challenge him near the basket.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Honorable Mention: </h2>