All-South Frosh/Soph Camp: Top 30 Standouts (Pt. 3)
The tour of Pangos underclass camps made its way to Texas a couple weekends back and drew some of the southwest and south’s top talent to Duncanville Fieldhouse. While our Texas-based writers were able to catch the action live, I…
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Continue ReadingThe tour of Pangos underclass camps made its way to Texas a couple weekends back and drew some of the southwest and south’s top talent to Duncanville Fieldhouse.
While our Texas-based writers were able to catch the action live, I had to settle for watching camp and all-star games via the Baller TV livestream replays and below is my second set of standouts from the Top 30 Cream of the Crop game.
Bralyn Smith, 2023, TACA Homeschool (TX): The reason why Smith is on this list is because he made countless high IQ passes throughout the game and the event in its entirety. The 6-foot-5 wing used his size to rebound the defensive glass and always had his head up on the break looking for a teammate to kick to. Smith’s hit-ahead passes and drive-and-kick finds in the half-court led to easy buckets for his teammates.
Jacolb Cole Jacolb Cole 6'8" | SF Link Academy | 2023 #148 Nation MO , 2023, Bellaire (TX): Cole was one of the more creative isolation players in the Top 30 game. His shiftiness, combined with his ball skills, quick first step and long strides to the basket made it tough for defenders to keep him in front, and when he added a hesitation or quick cross to the mix there was no chance he wasn’t getting two feet in the key. If given space, the lefty can stroke the three-point shot with consistency.
Christopher Lockett, Jr., 2023, Isidore Newman (LA): Lockett’s versatility really set him apart on the offensive end of the floor. At 6-feet-5, the sophomore can play both inside and out with a high scoring IQ when it comes to shot selection and shot creation. The game seems to come pretty easy to Lockett, who excels in both the finesse and physical styles of play where his fluidity combined with his ball skills and strength made him a difficult defensive assignment to draw.
TJohnn Brown, 2023, South Garland (TX): From what I saw on film, Brown might have been the smartest and most crafty player in the event. The 5-foot-11 point guard is lightning quick on the break and defensively where his hands and anticipation help him create turnovers and transition opportunities. Brown’s first step and second level speed make him the prototypical “paint touch” point guard who can draw defenders and make the right pass or finish around the basket. What I liked most about Brown’s game was how competitive and locked in he was defensively.
Kevin Paul, 2023, Universal Academy (TX): Paul was yet another interior player who had a great defensive presence in the painted area. The 6-foot-9 sophomore was quick to rotate into help-side position, contested shots at the rim without fouling and used his size and length well to alter and block shots. Paul has really nice instincts as a rim protector and rebounder for such a young low-post prospect.