Who Want The Smoke: Most Outstanding Performers
Who Want the Smoke presented by TheTB5Reports gave us one of the best tournaments of the summer consisting of the most skilled players and most dominant teams from all over Texas and even the country. There were several stock risers…
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Continue ReadingWho Want the Smoke presented by TheTB5Reports gave us one of the best tournaments of the summer consisting of the most skilled players and most dominant teams from all over Texas and even the country. There were several stock risers and breakout prospects in attendance that put everyone on notice. Here we take a look at some of the top-performing recruits that made a huge impact on their teams at the Who Want The Smoke tournament.
Cason Wallace Cason Wallace 6'4" | CG Richardson | 2022 State #6 Nation TX | 6’4 | Combo Guard | TAZ Elite | C/o 2022 Cason Wallace Cason Wallace 6'4" | CG Richardson | 2022 State #6 Nation TX faced off against the top players in the state and outplayed them by a wide margin from the beginning of the tournament till the end. He was an absolute monster that destroyed defenders all weekend with his supreme handles, his ability to snag multiple rebounds, and his ability to play insanely good defense; Wallace even had a few chase-down blocks where he came out of nowhere and pinned the shot against the glass. He showed a strong, mind-blowing, knack for recovering and helping on defense, Cason saved his team from giving up 4 open layups in their final game on fast breaks and in the half-court, I’ve never seen a guard challenge shots at the rim like he did; the way he defended the rim and blocked shots strongly resembled Dwyane Wade. One of the most outstanding defensive prospects of the weekend, very consistent and always hustling back on defense, getting in front of his opponent, and jumping his highest to contest the shots, Cason even did a quality job of closing out and getting a hand in face of shooters. On the offensive end, he broke the game apart with his elite speed and athleticism, Wallace was able to get up and down the court in a blink of an eye. Very smooth and swift crossover moves, his ball skills got some of the best defenders off balance before he took a mid-range jumper or drove the lane. High-level court vision, he’s a gifted passer who seems to know his teammates and their playing style well. The whole gym was packed with spectators excited to see TAZ Elite vs Basketball Means More, and Cason Wallace Cason Wallace 6'4" | CG Richardson | 2022 State #6 Nation TX made sure to give us all a show. He dismantled the competition, then proceeded to throw down two nasty dunks by driving right thru the defense just to show his dominance. Not only was he the most productive player in the building, but Wallace also looked like the most productive player in the state. A true stat sheet stuffer, on every single play he found a way to be effective. This guard was all over the court, the ball always seemed to find him no matter where he was positioned, he easily could’ve averaged a triple-double throughout the tournament. After a weekend like Cason Wallace Cason Wallace 6'4" | CG Richardson | 2022 State #6 Nation TX just had, the debate and discussion over the top-ranked player in Texas are wide open again.
Langston Love Langston Love 6'4" | SG Montverde Academy | 2021 State #31 Nation FL | 6’4 | Shooting Guard | Basketball Means More | C/o 2021Florida’s top prospect returned to Texas and went beast mode on the competition. Langston Love Langston Love 6'4" | SG Montverde Academy | 2021 State #31 Nation FL is an all-around basketball prospect, there’s nothing on the court that he can’t do at a high level. A true slasher that looks to attack the basket first, he gets deep into the lane using the combination of speed, strength, and power. Very under control when driving to the rack, he even displayed excellent body control and focus when scoring through the contact amongst the trees down low. Langston is built like a brick house, he has a body and big strong hands that are just made ready for the college-level, which assist him greatly when banging and battling inside. Love can shoot it as well, he has a nice jump shot that comes off his hands effortlessly. Once he gets a few shots to fall, they all start falling, his mid-range and three-point shooting can become lethal if he’s allowed to heat up and get into a rhythm. Noticeable, intense defensive presence, Langston guards his man perfectly and he plays great help-side defense; he kept a hand on his man and his eyes on the ball at all times, which allowed him to come up with some tough steals just by being in the right spots at the right time. Langston Love Langston Love 6'4" | SG Montverde Academy | 2021 State #31 Nation FL played in some hard-fought games that went down to the wire, but he never crumbled under pressure, he rose to the occasion and produced for his team. In their first game of the tournament, Love’s play saved them from a lost, he drove the ball with 3 seconds on the clock, made the layup to send the game into double overtime, and the rest was history.
Chandler Dickinson | 6’6 | Forward | Urban DFW Elite | C/o 2021This playmaker is an extremely productive point-forward with a high court awareness, high IQ, and an all-around great feel for the game. Whether he came off the bench or started the game, Chandler immediately looked to make an impact, every time he stepped on the floor he made a difference in the game both offensively and defensively. An incredibly unselfish player that can make some very impressive passes; Dickinson even had stints where he would produce 3 assist in a row on 3 straight possessions, something he did on a consistent basis the entire tournament. Good interior defensive instincts and a great motor, Dickinson altered several shots under the rim, he also showed the ability to get a rebound and push the ball up the court to create a scoring opportunity for one of his teammates. Sneaky quickness in the open court and solid blow-by speed in the half-court, Chandler beat his man off the baseline with his length, strength, and first-step. Chandler Dickison proved to be the ultimate glue guy, his best ability is being able to contribute across the board and be whoever his team needs him to be.
Cam Amboree | 6’1 | Combo Guard | 3d Empire | C/o 2022A pure bucket getter with the best handles I saw all tournament. Cam looked like a dribbling machine on the court, he’s an extremely quick-twitch dribbler that put on a full ball-handling display that left the crowd in awe. Amboree split double teams, busted press defenses, and had guys sliding everywhere in a half-court setting, allowing him to get whatever he wanted out there. Also, a knockdown shooter from outside, very efficient scorer. Cam Amboree was a name I wasn’t aware of him until this past weekend, but his outstanding play changed all of that, making his name well-known throughout the building.
Jackson Thoele | 6’5 | Forward | Court of Dreams | C/o 2021 Jackson Thoele, a versatile forward that averaged double-digit points and rebounds throughout the weekend. Thoele controlled the post on the offensive end, did a good job of establishing position and moving from block to block. Showed great offensive flexibility, has solid post skills and footwork when scoring down low, as well as the ability to face up and hit mid-range or outside jumpers. High IQ prospect, Jackson did an exceptional job of finding openings and setting the screens that opened up opportunities for his teammates. He’s the type of player that is always looking to make smart decisions with and without the ball, a perfect glue guy for his team, he holds it all together on both ends and the offense can be run through him at times. Jackson’s effort on the offensive glass created several second-chance shots for Court of Dreams, he has a great nose for the ball coming off of the rim, he was relentless on the boards and was consistently the first person to the rim when the ball went up. Jackson Thoele has very strong intangibles, his work ethic stands out, and everything he brings to the court results in winning.
Ryan Agarwal Ryan Agarwal 6'7" | SF Coppell | 2022 State #99 Nation TX | 6’7 | Small Forward | 3d Empire | C/o 2021Ryan is such an unbelievable shooter, he’s a marvel to watch, something you just have to see to believe. Anytime the ball touched Ryan’s hands beyond the arc he let it fly, knocking down 4 out of 6 three-pointers in the first half threes and made it look easy while doing so. His jumpshot is phenomenal, textbook form, with a very high and quick release. Ryan had no problem getting his shot off with a hand in his face or with the defense closing out, his jumper is nearly unblockable due to his length, he showed the capability to turnaround and shot it over top of defenders as well, the kid shoots the ball the way it was meant to be shot. Agarwal’s ability to go full speed and stop on a dime for a pull-up was most impressive, he absolutely torched the opposing teams with his lethal shooting in transition. Ryan Agarwal Ryan Agarwal 6'7" | SF Coppell | 2022 State #99 Nation TX spent yet another weekend showing us all why he’s known as the best 3-point marksman in the city.