Southwest Slam: Standout Texas Guards (Part 2)
The Prep Hoops Circuit rolled on this past weekend at the Southwest Slam in Duncanville, Texas. Teams from several different states were in attendance, and as expected, the Lone Star State was well-represented. A bunch of Texas prospects made noise…
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Continue ReadingThe Prep Hoops Circuit rolled on this past weekend at the Southwest Slam in Duncanville, Texas. Teams from several different states were in attendance, and as expected, the Lone Star State was well-represented. A bunch of Texas prospects made noise over the course of the tournament. Here are a few guards that caught my attention:
Jahvante O’Connor | 2021 | 6’3” Point Guard | THP Elite White 17U | Austin HS – O’Connor is a certified playmaker at the point. He possesses good size and athleticism. He uses his physical tools to blow by defenders and create opportunities for his teammates. The soon-to-be senior was zipping passes all over the place in Duncanville. He is particularly effective in drive and kick scenarios, finding shooters for assists on numerous occasions. His handle comes in handy as well when he is navigating the floor and pushing the tempo on offense. As a scorer, O’Connor is outstanding off the dribble and an acrobatic finisher at the rim.
Dylan McKeon | 2021 | 6’3” Combo Guard | Team F.O.E. 17U White | Sachse HS – McKeon is the type of player who gets to his spots and capitalizes. His mid-range game is solid, but he is at his best when he is pulling up from behind the arc or attacking off the drive. He is a crafty finisher inside with good body control. He isn’t afraid to absorb some contact on his way to the hoop either. McKeon’s three-point shooting was terrific all weekend too, especially off the dribble. I like him best at the two-spot, but he looked comfortable initiating the offense in the lead-guard role.
Aidan Bailey | 2021 | 6’0” Combo Guard | THP Elite White 17U | Dripping Springs HS – Bailey is a talented two-way combo guard. He has a very efficient style of play, rarely forcing bad looks from the field. He took high percentage shots and made all of his touches count in Duncanville. He can operate as a point guard, making accurate entry passes and distributing in transition, or as an off-guard, slashing to the rim and consistently knocking down threes from the catch. Additionally, Bailey really sticks to his man on and off the ball at the defensive end, continuously findings ways to make plays such as blocking shots from behind and getting into passing lanes.
Joshua Beall | 2021 | 6’2” Shooting Guard | Texas Swish 17U | Cedar Hill HS – Beall is a scoring guard who can light it up with his jump shot. He has a pretty jumper with good mechanics. He is also a high IQ player who is wise enough to drive to the hoop when his shots aren’t falling. I was impressed with the way he made in-game adjustments in order to benefit his team on the court, something not a lot of young players do. Furthermore, he can score at the basket with creative finishes and has a nice-looking floater in his arsenal. Defensively, Beall is constantly engaged and active. He put together a great all-around performance at the Southwest Slam.
Anthony Bates Jr | 2024 | 6’0” Point Guard | Drive Nation Houston 2024 | Seven Lakes HS – The upperclassmen weren’t the only ones making names for themselves this past weekend. The incoming freshmen were also balling out in Duncanville. Bates Jr was one of those freshmen, and he led the 14U division in assists while helping his team capture a first-place finish in their division. The dynamic floor general is incredibly dangerous when he gets downhill and into the lane. He plays fast and hustles up and down the court every possession, but he understands when it’s time to slow things down. He has a bright future ahead of him.
Amine Bouarifi | 2021 | 6’4” Shooting Guard | TRT Basketball | Spring Creek Academy – Bouarifi’s Euro ball experience is immediately noticeable. He is a generous and willing passer who loves to keep the ball hopping. He has a very under control game. The Spring Creek Academy guard is a natural facilitator surrounded by talented big men and wings, and he does an exceptional job of keeping everyone involved while still finding ways to score himself. He has the skillset to be a taller point guard if he chooses to go that route. His size and strong frame also allow him to be a versatile defender who can guard multiple positions. He is a fascinating prospect with a high ceiling.
Javeon Franks | 2024 | 5’8” Point Guard | Fresno Flyers Elite 14U | Elkins HS – Franks is a shifty ball handler with great court vision. He’s a very polished passer for his age. One of my favorite plays of the weekend was when he dove to the ground and swiped the ball to a teammate for a transition assist. His speed with the ball keeps defenders on their heels at all times. The freshman one-guard is a bit of a giant slayer on the drive too, finishing over the top of much taller opponents on several occasions. Beyond that, Franks’s quick first step and ability to slice his way through traffic afforded him with a ton of trips to the foul line where he is a consistent free throw shooter. Don’t let the fact that he isn’t the biggest guy fool you, this kid can ball.