2024 Dallas/Fort Worth Rankings Watch List Breakdown (Pt. 5)
The class of 2024 has been stealing all of the shine from their fellow upperclassmen this season. This Freshman class is truly something special, the group consists of prospects that are extremely skilled, highly athletic, gifted with size, and already…
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Continue ReadingThe class of 2024 has been stealing all of the shine from their fellow upperclassmen this season. This Freshman class is truly something special, the group consists of prospects that are extremely skilled, highly athletic, gifted with size, and already have a good understanding of the game. Most, if not all of these Freshmen athletes, will become the most talked about, most-watched, and most recruited players in North Texas over the next three years. This will be a series of articles that breakdown each prospect and their best skills from the 2024 Dallas/Fort Worth Rankings Watch List.
Davien Taylor Davien Taylor 6'1" | PG Texas Alliance of Christian Athletes | 2024 TX | Point Guard | Texas Alliance of Christian Athletes (TACA)
Quick guard with very tight ball skills and footwork. Taylor has shown some impressive abilities and creativity with the rock in his hand. It doesn’t take much for Davien to get past a defense, he has no trouble creating a shot for himself, often he gets all the way to the basket using fast blow-by crossovers, hesitation moves, and nifty euro-steps. The TACA point guard’s killer first-step is extremely tough to stop in one-on-one situations where he’s able to have his way with a defender. Taylor doesn’t always need the ball to get his own shot, he’s done a good job of getting open in transition as well as in the half-court where he displays a good spot-up shot from deep, but is usually at his best when pulling up and shooting it in mid-range areas, particularly around the elbow. Davien Taylor Davien Taylor 6'1" | PG Texas Alliance of Christian Athletes | 2024 TX showed a lot of promise this season while putting up double-digit numbers against some of the best teams in the state.
Thomas Hunt Thomas Hunt 6'5" | SF Woodrow Wilson | 2024 TX | Small Forward | Woodrow Wilson HS
Thomas Hunt Thomas Hunt 6'5" | SF Woodrow Wilson | 2024 TX has proven to be a remarkable jump shooter that can knock down shots from each spot on the floor, from both mid-range and three-point range. Hunt possesses the potential to become a pure shooting specialist. This marksman can hit a shot in every way possible, whether it’s a fadeaway or leaner, a dribble-drive pull-up, coming off a screen, spotting-up from deep, or making a quick catch-and-shoot jumper on the move, Thomas can do it all. Also, good physical tools and versatility, standing at 6-foot-5-inches, Thomas has the size and length to play the small forward position and the shooting prowess to excel at the two-guard position as well.
Scottie Johnson Scottie Johnson PF Frisco Lone Star | 2024 TX | Forward | Denton Ryan
This emerging Denton Ryan Freshman has the size, length, athleticism, and strength to form into a dynamic two-way combo forward. Scottie Johnson Scottie Johnson PF Frisco Lone Star | 2024 TX is capable of playing inside and out, showing terrific patience when attempting to score down low, using pump fakes to get his man in the air before making an off-balance shot, often through contact. Johnson can also step out of the lane and knock down jump shots all the way out to the perimeter with his high arcing release. Defensively, this prospect can become a shutdown defender, he moves his feet quick enough to guard just about every position effectively, both on the perimeter and in the post. Another thing about Scottie to take note of is his force and veracity when snagging a board. He has big strong hands and a fast leaping ability that allows him to pull down rebounds right off the rim over other players and get off the ground very quickly on his second jump. Scottie Johnson Scottie Johnson PF Frisco Lone Star | 2024 TX manages to be effective no matter what he’s doing on the court, even when running the floor on the fastbreak he can be a terror due to his long strides that beat most players up the court.
Dink Pate Dink Pate 6'8" | PG Dallas Pinkston | 2023 State #70 Nation TX | Combo Guard | L. G. Pinkston
Dink Pate Dink Pate 6'8" | PG Dallas Pinkston | 2023 State #70 Nation TX is a complete ballplayer with all of the physical tools and a full set of skills. Not only does this 6-foot-6-inch lead guard outsize the majority of the matchups he faces, but he’s also a very talented, silky smooth, ball-handler with impeccable court vision and a jumper that torched defenses all year long. His instincts are off the charts, Dink reads the floor very well, has a natural ability to create for himself and others, and can make a play out of the toughest situations. He’s even displayed a clutch gene and a killer mentality with the way he raised his level of play against his best opponents, knocking down game-winners, and hitting some big-time shots when they were needed the most. With the way Dink Pate Dink Pate 6'8" | PG Dallas Pinkston | 2023 State #70 Nation TX has started his high school career, leading his team in major statistical categories like points and assists, you can’t help but be extremely excited to see just how much he progresses and develops throughout the next few years.