The Tune Up: Day 1 & 2 Standouts
In this article:
Devin Boone
Devin
Boone
6'4" | SG
Red Oak | 2024
State
TX
(NTX Elite 15U/Red Oak HS- 2024) Boone played well on the first two days of The Tune Up. He’s an intriguing prospect due to his length & athleticism from the guard position. Boone was able to use his length to finish at the rim and his athleticism to leak out in transition. He possesses a solid handle that allows him to get in the lane to score or find teammates. Defensively, Boone has active hands and plays with high energy. Boone is an unselfish player and does a bit of everything. He has intriguing potential if he can continue to improve his feel for the game & all-around skills.
Jon Tran (NTX Elite 15U/Plano East HS- 2024) Tran has impressive feel with a solid frame for his age. Defensively, Tran’s an active on-ball defender & got his hands on multiple deflections. Offensively, he has impressive feel & vision that he displayed with accurate pitch-ahead passes in transition and the ability to find open shooters in the half-court. Tran showed a willingness to post up smaller guards with the ability to shoot off the catch with consistent mechanics. He can play off the ball or as the lead guard in a pinch.
Bralyn Smith Bralyn Smith 6'5" | CG St. Benedict's Prep | 2023 State #265 Nation NJ (Texas Impact/TACA Storm- 2023) Smith showed some scoring chops for TX Impact. He displayed a solid handle against tight pressure and was able to use his size to hit tough shots over defenders. Smith has some defensive versatility potential and showed a willingness to contest shots at the rim. He has collegiate potential if he can find his niche offensively and become a more consistent shooter.
Garrett Nuckolls Garrett Nuckolls 6'5" | SG Bullard | 2023 State TX (Texas Impact/LaPoynor HS- 2023) Nuckolls has good size and a solid all-around offensive game. His best skill is as knockdown shooter with the ability to rise over smaller defenders if given minimal space to get his shot off. Nuckolls displayed deep range coupled with consistent shot mechanics. He was able to navigate ball pressure well and continue to play at his own pace. He also showed glimpses of slashing ability when run off the three-point line. Nuckolls showed a willingness to compete on the defensive end even while playing the majority of the game multiple times a day.
Bishop Jones Bishop Jones 6'6" | PF TACA | 2023 State TX (Texas Impact/Frisco Lone Star HS- 2023) Jones has a quick second jump & an active body that makes him a headache on the offensive glass for opponents. Jones is a good athlete that can finish above the rim when he has momentum. Though still developing his ball-handling, Jones displayed grab & go ability and some fluidity as a straight line driver when given space. He’s also an unselfish player and effective ball mover. Defensively, Jones can potentially guard up to four positions. He routinely blew up ball screens & was a shot-blocking threat with his size, mobility, and athleticism. The versatile forward is a prospect to monitor over the next two years.