Dallas Mavericks Fall Classic: Standout Prospects (Part 1)
I got to see some really talented players go head to head this past weekend at the Dallas Mavericks Fall Classic in Frisco, Texas. 32 high school teams from all around the state competed in this early season tournament, and…
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Continue ReadingI got to see some really talented players go head to head this past weekend at the Dallas Mavericks Fall Classic in Frisco, Texas. 32 high school teams from all around the state competed in this early season tournament, and although I wasn’t able to see every team play, I was really impressed with every school I did have the opportunity to watch. With that in mind, here are seven standout prospects that caught my eye during the Thanksgiving break:
Harrison Ingram – 2021 6’7 Small Forward (Marcus Smart YGC36 (Adidas)) Dallas St. Mark’s – The No. 1 player in our Prep Hoops Texas 2021 rankings was very impressive during the championship game of the tournament. Ingram is a smart player with a great feel for the game. He operates as a point-forward for St. Mark’s and plays fast but is always under control. He is a willing and accurate passer that can see over the defense but can also score in a variety of ways. The junior small forward is going to make some college coach very happy in the coming years.
Colin Smith – 2022 6’7 Small Forward (Nike Drive Nation E15) Dallas St. Mark’s – Ingram’s fellow forward and teammate is very talented in his own right. Smith may be an underclassman, but he plays with the savvy of a senior. The sophomore forward already possesses a strong build. He did an excellent job of defending the 6’10 big he was tasked with guarding in the championship, but he can also defend out on the perimeter. He runs the lane hard in transition and can explode to the basket when he gets the rock. The No. 4 player in our 2022 rankings is already very good and still has a ton of upside.
Jalen Tot – 2020 6’0 Point Guard John Paul II HS – Tot is a speedy floor general with a knack for finishing tough layups in traffic. His overall speed with the ball is extremely evident when you watch him play. In JPII’s opening game of the tournament, he looked like he was shot out of a cannon every time he touched the ball. He is very difficult to stay in front of. Additionally, the senior point guard is also a very good distributor. He finished as the tournament’s third leading scorer averaging 22 points per outing.
M.J. Leslie – 2020 5’11 Guard (Texas Impact 4:13) Denton Braswell HS – Leslie is a serious threat from behind the arc. He made four threes in the first half of Denton Braswell’s first game vs. Keller Central. The senior guard can play on or off the ball and is a gifted three-point shooter who can hit from the catch or off of step backs. I was also impressed by his ball handling ability. He is certainly someone to keep an eye on as the high school season progresses.
Greg Brown – 2020 6’8 Forward (Nike Texas Titans (EYBL)) Austin Vandegrift HS – The No. 1 player in our 2020 rankings is a living highlight reel when he steps on the court. He went between the legs on a dunk for the first points of his first-round game. I knew from that point on that I was in for a treat. Brown is a freak athlete who loves to play above the rim. He is also a very talented shooter from distance. He isn’t afraid to shoot it with a hand in his face, knocking down several heavily contested bombs. He makes timely cuts and finishes with authority whenever he has the chance. His length and athleticism allow him to be a rim protector on defense as well.
Jordan Henderson – 2020 6’7 Forward The Village HS – Henderson plays with a lot of energy at both ends. He is an aggressive rebounder with great hands. He finished the as the tournament’s fourth leading rebounder. The senior forward was particularly active on the offensive glass during the championship game, and his ability to afford his team with extra possessions was one of the reasons The Village Vikings were able to capture the first-place trophy. In addition to his work on the glass, Henderson has a soft touch inside and even showed that he can drive the baseline and convert.
Vinny Sigona – 2022 5’11 Combo Guard (YGC36) Prestonwood Christian Academy – Sigona can really light it up from deep. He hit a few step-back threes from NBA range and made them look so easy. He can also get inside the arc and hit some pull-up mid-range shots. Furthermore, the sophomore guard is a tremendous ball handler and uses his dribble to free himself up from three-point land. He also plays with a little bit of swagger, which I love. Prestonwood is loaded with shooters, but Sigona really stands out.
You can check out Part 2 here.