Southwest Slam: Standout Texas Wings
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 wings that caught my attention:
Kabeya Tshibangu | 2021 | 6’7” Small Forward | PB Nation 17U | Justin Northwest HS – Tshibangu possesses a long and wiry frame. His combination of size, athleticism, and shot-making ability make him difficult to contain on offense. He has a pure jumper and showed that he can knock down threes from the catch. That pairs well with how good he is as the screener in pick-and-pop scenarios. At the other end, Tshibangu is willing to bang around down low vs. post players and holds his own on the perimeter against other wings, all while providing some rim protection too.
Reyce Allen | 2021 | 6’5” Small Forward/Power Forward | Drive Nation Houston Cutter 17U | Summer Creek HS – Allen is an athletic freak with a wide frame who can serve as a big in small-ball groupings or as a wing in more traditional lineups. He is extremely bouncy and is quick to get off the floor and into the air. He likes to use his explosiveness to punch down lobs. The Summer Creek forward also finishes above the rim with power in transition. His leaping ability benefits him on defense as well. He is a great shot blocker and a physical defender who guards numerous positions. Furthermore, Allen is disciplined about boxing out and contributes heavily on the glass.
Jae’Coby Osborne | 2024 | 6’4” Small Forward | Fresno Flyers Elite 14U | Elkins HS – Osborne looked like a man among boys in the 14U division. His versatility at both ends was on full display. He is an incredibly polished and accurate passer for his age who knows how to set up teammates. As a scorer, he is able to take defenders off the dribble and utilizes his long strides to get layups from point-blank range. If the defense gives him a cushion, Osborne can make them pay by drilling threes with rhythm pull ups. Defensively, he is effective on the perimeter and in the interior, forcing turnovers and getting tons of deflections over the course of the weekend. I’d like to see what he can do vs. opponents who better match his size, but he dominated the smaller competition he faced in this tournament, and that’s all you can ask.
Jaden Robinson | 2021 | 6’5” Small Forward | Texas Swish 17U | ILTexas Arlington HS – Robinson is a dynamic wing defender. He plays with emotion at both ends, but it really shows up on D. He gets up into his man and isn’t afraid to scrap it up with anyone who tests him. He is terrific at lurking in the background then sliding down to block shots. The soon-to-be senior forward can guard the one through four spots at a high level, making him a valuable asset to any team. On offense, he is fearless when attacking the basket and finishes through contact. His mid-range shooting is solid as well. He certainly has Division 2 or 3 potential.
Michael Robertson | 2021 | 6’2” Shooting Guard/Small Forward | THP Elite Blue 17U | Austin Akins HS – Robertson is a sharpshooter who mostly operates from the wings. He is a consistent three-point shooter with good range. He is probably at his best from the catch, but he has no issue shooting off the dribble. He moves well without the ball and has good body control when gets to the hoop. Beyond that, Robertson is active on defense and hustles back in transition. There was an instance on Sunday where he chased down an opponent and pinned a layup of the backboard. That’s the kind of play that sticks with you as a spectator.