Summer Splash: Rising Juniors
These 9 Rising Juniors really had big Spring/Summer Grassroots seasons. Each prospect on this list is a definite stock riser for their position(s), graduation class, and known names among the collegiate coaches at all levels.These rising juniors should have a…
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Continue ReadingThese 9 Rising Juniors really had big Spring/Summer Grassroots seasons. Each prospect on this list is a definite stock riser for their position(s), graduation class, and known names among the collegiate coaches at all levels.These rising juniors should have a really big impact this high school seasons for there squads.
Zy’Tarious Ivory 6’3 SF • 2021 • Alvin Shadow Creek PHTX75
This fresh face to Texas played with Team Harden wing brought a lot of excitement to the court. He originally hales from Louisiana where he was ranked 19th in the state in his class. He attended Peabody High School a known powerhouse in Louisiana with a nationally touted coach in Charles Smith. His team lost in the Final 4 last season. He is bringing athleticism and powerful dunks to Shadow Creek this year. Physical specimen that bangs in the paint.
Ronald Holmes 6’3 SG • 2021 • Houston Northside HS PHTX75
The QB Ronald Holmes had a big year as he played on both the 16U & 17U teams for Beast Elite. He was more effective on the 17U level. He is a prospect that thrives from the wing. He can also play the point guard spot when need be. Good awareness and finishes around the rim at a super high rate. He was the leading scorer on the 17U team as they competed in the Prep Hoops Circuit. He is also a starting QB that is a dual-threat with the ball in his hands.
Ashton Smith 6’7 PF • 2021 • Aldine Nimitz HS PHTX75
Ashton was a highly sought after prospect before the Grassroots Season even began, and with the season he had it was rightfully so. He ended up playing on an independent team RL9 16U. The physical athletic forward was like a man-child on the court. He had a very high body count as he put many opponents in the rim. Has solid footwork in the post. Moves opponents around on both sides of the ball. Cleans house on the glass. Plus he has a nice mid-range game to compliment his post game. I watched him pin a layup that was almost at the top of the backboard.
Elijah Lawrence 5’10 PG • 2021 • Bellaire HS PHTX75
Eli started the season with the Houston Raptors where he played on their 17U team and averaged almost 30 points in the very first tournament. He was then picked up by an Under Armor sponsored team Texas Hard Work 16U. He then finished his season with RL9 16U and was running mates with Ashton Smith the prospect listed above. Eli is a scoring point who can create for his teammates. A tenacious defender when guarding the ball. Score the ball at all levels on the floor at a very high rate. He will be the focal piece on his High School team this year.
Jacob Harvey 5’11 PG • 2021 • Huffman Hargrave HS
This prospect also had a big spring/summer grassroots season. As he played up on the 17U level for the Houston TopGuns. Jacob is a tough nosed prospect who will light you up from deep quick. He was the teams top scorer and also showed his floor general skills at times as well as he dropped some sick dimes throughout the season. Plays a lot of the ball and moves great without the ball in his hands. Has a quick release on his jumper as well as great elevation. Jacob led his high school team to a 25-3 season last year as a sophomore and was named offensive player of the year for his district.
Brandon Love 6’7 PF • 2021 • Fort Bend Bush HS
Brandon had a slow start to his grassroots season as he was playing up on the 17U level for the Houston Raptors. This prospect was just a sophomore team guy last season for his high school squad. As he continued to play over the course of the season you could see the improvements little by little. Once June hit he made a tremendous lead in his game. More physical on the block. Stronger with the ball in his hands. Had some put back dunks. Started to dunk out of the post. He always had a decent handle for his size but it was his ball speed that increased as well. He had several coaches during the one and only LIVE period in July asking about him and circling his name. He was the biggest stock riser for his class. Look for this prospect to make a splash on the varsity level this year.
JaVon Jackson 6’1 CG • 2021 • Humble Summer Creek HS PHTX75
You want to talk about another top shooter for this class let’s talk about Mr. Jackson. Who played on Team Harden 16U squad on the Adidas Gauntlet Gold. He continued his onslaught from the high school season straight into the grassroots season. All gas no brakes on this prospect. He was Team Harden second leading scorer and averaged a team high of 19 points per game at the Adidas Championships as they went 5-1 overall. He is a big time shot taker and shot maker. Has a good scoring awareness and reads his opponents well. He made a big splash this spring/summer grassroots season and got his name circulating.
Chas Kelley 6’3 PG • 2021 • Cypress Creek HS
Chas was another prospect who made big strides this season. He already had game but with a growth spurt during the summer truly helped push him a little further. A three inch growth spurt also seemed to boost his confidence as well. He started out on Basketball University 16U which is an Adidas Gauntlet Gold sponsored team and finished with JL3 Elite 16U a Nike E16 sponsored team. Scores the ball at a high clip from all levels. Strong on the attack when getting downhill. Court vision has raised as well. Starting to make the game look simple and easy. Curious to see just how much more his game will grow over these next two years.
Jake Arnold 6’2 SG • 2021 • Katy Taylor HS
This prospect has always had a strap on him. This spring/summer grassroots season he really showcased his strap as he would empty it out on his opponents. This was a big coming out season for Jake who played on a Katy Taylor team full of seniors. He allowed the seniors to have there shine last year and was itching to showcase his true scoring capabilities. He did just that as he dropped multiple 25 balls over the grassroots season. Jake played on one of the top 16U independent teams with Texas Takeover Elite. This team was a participant on the Prep Hoops Circuit 17U level in the Grind Region. He had the same performance regardless of the level he was playing against. He will have a really big school ball season as he has picked up interest from several colleges.