War Before The Storm: 17U Preview
War Before the Storm The summer season has officially started and we are in the second week of grassroots basketball. I am excited that I will be able to cover the War Before the Storm, hosted by Marcus Smart YGC36…
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Continue ReadingWar Before the Storm
The summer season has officially started and we are in the second week of grassroots basketball. I am excited that I will be able to cover the War Before the Storm, hosted by Marcus Smart YGC36 director and 17U Head Coach Vonzel Thomas. In this article, I will be previewing the teams and players to watch for:
Team Preview 17U Division
3D Empire: 3D Empire played in their first tournament last weekend at the Spring Ice Breaker in Houston. They are a very fundamentally sound team that has great sets in the half court.
3D Empire Players to Watch:
2020 PG Logan McLaughlin: Mclaughlin is a skilled combination guard, that can get by you off the dribble and pull up from multiple areas on the floor or finish around the basket. Mclaughlin possesses a killer instinct and is not afraid of the big moment.
2020 SG Baylor Hebb: Hebb is a babyface assassin that can fill it up on the offensive end and knows how to get buckets in an array of ways.
Basketball Means More (UA Rise): BMM is one of the most talented independent teams in the Lone Star state. They bring a mixture of speed, size, and athleticism to the floor.
BMM Players To Watch:
2021 PG Elijah Taylor: Taylor is a strong diminutive point guard that uses his speed and change of pace to get by defenders and find the open man.
2020 SG Preston Lawrence: Lawrence is a shooter with good size for his position. He is capable of getting hot from behind the three-point line.
2020 SF Quevian Adger: Adger is a tough athlete who likes to score in transition. He utilizes his size and length to grab rebounds on both ends of the floor.
Dallas Showtyme Elite: Showtyme is a scrappy group that plays hard and fast at all times. An elite independent team that has beaten multiple shoe teams in the past couple of summers.
Dallas Showtyme Players to Watch:
2020 PF Ben Joelson: Joelson is a stretch four-man that can play inside or outside. He has a good looking jumper and will make you pay if left open.
2020 PF Sadaidriene Hall: Hall is a gritty forward that has an endless motor. He is undersized for his position but makes for it with his effort and athletic gifts.
Mudiay Elite (UAA): Mudiay Elite is a team consisted of mostly underclassmen who are playing up. Mudiay on paper has one of the toughest frontcourts in the state.
Mudiay Elite Players to Watch:
2021 G Jaden Jones: Jones is a tall lead guard that can see the floor. He takes care of the ball and is capable of knocking down jumpers from distance.
2020 PF Jaquan Scott: Scott is a long forward that can stretch the floor or finish around the basket. Scott is more face-up threat that possesses good footwork.
2021 C.Kamryn Waites: Waites is a wide-bodied big man who uses his size and strength to overpower and finish through opponents inside.
Texas Impact 4:13 (UA Rise): Texas Impact 4:13 is an independent team comprised of multiple sneaker-caliber kids. Impact has five kids on their roster that already hold one or more division one offers.
Texas Impact 4:13 Players to Watch:
2021 PG Imo Essien: Essien is a point guard that knows how to get to areas on the floor utilizing his slippery ball handling ability. Essien sees the floor well and finds open teammates.
2020 SG Jeff Mills: Mills is a two-way shooting guard that can knock down jumpers off the catch and doesn’t mind guarding the opposing teams best player on the defensive end.
2020 C. Jonathan Aku: Aku is a physically imposing big that has ever-improving footwork on the offensive end. Aku knows how to use his physical gifts to bother opponents defensively.
Texas Legion Elite: Legion has a loaded team with multiple players who have had past experience playing with shoe circuit squads.
Texas Legion Players to Watch:
2020 SG Jaylin Posey: Posey is an athletic combo guard that can score with the ball in his hands.
2020 SF Joey Madimba: Madimba is a lean, long, and explosive wing that also has a solid perimeter game.
Marcus Smart YGC36 (Adidas): YGC has talent at every position on the floor. They are looking to show spectators why they’re one of the best teams in the state of Texas.
YGC36 Players to Watch:
2020 PG Julian Larry: Larry is a fast guard that likes to push the ball in transition and find others or finish plays himself at the rim.
2020 SF Andrew Laczkowski: Laczkowski is a smooth wing that can stroke it from the perimeter and put it on the floor when needed. Laczkowski plays with a good feel for the game and doesn’t force things on offense.
2020 C Gethro Muscadin– Muscadin is a very active big that tries to dunk and block everything.
*2021 standout Harrison Ingram will not play this weekend because he’ll be competing out of town at an Underclassmen All American Game in Atlanta, Georgia.