Great American Shootout Standouts

The first weekend of April saw four Louisiana teams from two travel organizations play in the Great Amerian Shootout. Three teams from the Louisiana Elite organization and the Louisiana Roundballers played Saturday and Sunday with varying success. When the weekend was done, three of the four teams won their bracket and walked away with some hardware. I will highlight some of the players who had good weekends in Duncanville during the GASO. Kendal Coleman / 6'7" / Louisiana Roundballers (17U) Despite going 0-2 in their pool, the Roundballers finished the weekend winning the Silver bracket and Kendal was a big reason why. During the five game weekend, Coleman showed his rebounding prowess and scoring ability. His work around the rim was impeccable as he dominated the offensive and defensive boards Saturday and Sunday. Coleman even displayed increased speed as he ran the floor on several rimruns that ended in dunks. The 2020 post even showed that he can consistently hit that baseline jumper from 12 to 15 feet. With this type of play all summer, Coleman may move himself into a top 20 position in the 2020 class rankings. Anthony "AJ" Taylor / 5'8" / Louisiana Roundballers (17U) Taylor was already one of the most difficult point guards to corral playing for his high school team. During this weekend, he made a believer of coaches and players in Texas as well. Taylor was able to create space to shoot his mid-range jumper without over dribbling and getting into trouble. His quick crossover left smaller guards scurrying to recover. Larger or longer defenders had to give him space because of his quickness and he took full advantage. His passing ability was on full display as well. He caught several players in stride for dunks or layups on the break. Even at his size, his court vision is very good. Look for Taylor to continue being a standout as the grassroots season progresses. Hobert Grayson IV / 6'5" / Louisiana Elite (17U) For a player who did not make the all state team in his class, Grayson displayed flashes all weekend why he is a standout basketball player. He defended opposing wings all weekend showing his defensive ability. When Elite trapped and shot passing lanes, Grayson led the way defensively. He had several breakaway opportunities and flushed practically everyone of them. Grayson even drained three pointers from the wing and corner as if he was shooting by himself. Grayson impressed the Division II and III coaches watching him. With stellar defense and matching offensive skills, Division I offers way soon make their way to his door. He truly was one of the more impressive players during the weekend. Gavin Cooper Smith / 6'3" / Louisiana Roundballers (17U) Smith was one of the more impressive shooters that played on the Louisiana teams during the weekend. He did not wow anyone with speed or athleticism. Smith just knew how to play the game effectively. All weekend he found areas to get his shoot off by either sliding to the right position created by penetration or running his lane on the break. His jumper is deadly and goes down more times than not. Smith is also a better defender than one would think. Because he understands spacing, he is able to stay in front of his man and does not get beat on dribble drives often. His shooting is what keeps him on the floor. If he is on, watch out. Smith can shoot the opposition right out of the game if he is hot. Thomas Howell / 6'8" / Louisiana Elite (17U) The evolution of Thomas Howell's game was on display in Duncanville. Howell was a defensive anchor when he was on the court. He rejected several attempts at the rim and played good help defense when one of his teammates was beat. On the offensive end is where his game has matured. Howell played a lot at the top of the key forming a high low set with different teams. He was able to award them with passes for layups. If the opposition left him in the zone, he buried the free throw jumper. Howell even stepped out behind the arc to bury jumpers. With the expansion of his game, Howell is now a legitimate threat in numerous areas of the floor. This type of offensive expansion will certainly get him more looks from colleges going forward. Isreal Edwards / 6'1" / Louisiana Roundballers (17U) There is a lot to be said about a player playing on the grassroots circuit for the first time and having a big impression. Edwards was that guy for the Roundballers. The momentum he gained playing for Green Oaks during the season has transferred over to the grassroots season. Edwards slashed, penetrated, and shot his way throughout the weekend imposing his will on his opponents. What resulted was a wing who constantly put pressure on the defense. He attacked the goal with purpose. Even if the defender took a charge, he still kept attacking. Later in the weekend, he caught fire from deep and drew the defense into guarding him on the perimeter. Edwards showed that he is a versatile scorer who can help his team at all times. Look for his game to take off during the reast of the grassroots season. Other Louisiana players like Collin Belton (6'8"/LA Elite/16U), Elijah Tate (6'5"/LA Elite/17U), and Moses Ngodock (6'8"/LA Elite/17U) had good weekends as well. The stiff competition they faced in Duncanville will help these Louisiana players continue to develop as the season goes. Look for these players, and others, to have much success as the grassroots season continues.