GASO Austin/ Round Rock: Saturday AM Guard Standouts
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Check out my analysis on the guys who really popped during the early period of Saturday at the Austin/ Round Rock GASO tournament this weekend! These guys have really been turning heads over the last few months, if they are…
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Continue ReadingCheck out my analysis on the guys who really popped during the early period of Saturday at the Austin/ Round Rock GASO tournament this weekend! These guys have really been turning heads over the last few months, if they are in your area you need to get out and see them this next season!
Matthew Gonzalez Matthew Gonzalez 5'11" | PG San Antonio Marshall | 2023 TX 2023 6’0 Marshall High School (DC Kings SA 17U)
Matthew is one of the best scorers in Texas with his ability to flat out dominate from all levels of the floor, yet what sets him apart from other scorers is his natural point guard instincts and incredibly tight handle. You can tell he has spent countless hours working on tightening up his handle, using it to routinely get around his opponents and force a second defender to come up and react. I was very impressed with his ability to make good decisions while still going top speed hurling into the paint. When he gets downhill, defense do not know what to do with him as he scores so easily from the mid-range and as he attacks the rim. However his best plays for his teammates are often made with him getting to the rack, and finding an open teammate on the back side of the play. His scoring prowess is going to make him a household name in the San Antonio area with how easily he gets it done beyond the arc. He is a complete four level scorer with the ability to threaten the defense from beyond the three point line. His aggressiveness lets him hunt for his shot, yet his consistency is such a difference maker. Last weekend, I wrote about Matthew Gonzalez Matthew Gonzalez 5'11" | PG San Antonio Marshall | 2023 TX and Ziyan Ali for their time on the court at the College Station GASO, and this morning we got the matchup everyone was looking forward to. The two of them went head to head going shot for shot for each other, each leading their team with their ability to score but also facilitate. Gonzalez is a name you cannot soon forget, and if you are in the San Antonio area, be sure to get out to a game of his next season, you will not be disappointed!
Ziyan Ali 2023 6’2 Spire Academy, OH (ADV4NCED Hoops)
Ziyan is a high level point guard who not only facilitates for his teammates, but does all of the little things necessary to help propel his team to success. He is a willing rebounder who loves to push the pace after defensive rebounds. He always has his head up to make the right decision on the fast break, and showed an ability to make some high level passes. His basketball IQ was on full display as he forced the attention of a second defender and routinely made the right reads. He whipped high level passes across his body to the back side of the court that found his teammates right in their shooting pocket. I was very impressed with his passing ability out of all aspects of the game, especially the pick and roll and on the fast break. On the offensive end of the court, he is a complete three level scorer with his ability to catch and shoot, put the ball and the floor and get into the paint or score in the midrange. I was very impressed with his confidence and how well he attacked the defense time and time again. He always took whatever the defense gave him which allowed him to shoot the ball at a very high clip. He is a good teammate who always looks to keep his teammates heads up, and leads by example with his non stop energy on the court. Last weekend, I wrote about Matthew Gonzalez Matthew Gonzalez 5'11" | PG San Antonio Marshall | 2023 TX and Ziyan Ali for their time on the court at the College Station GASO, and this morning we got the matchup everyone was looking forward to. The two of them went head to head going shot for shot for each other, each leading their team with their ability to score but also facilitate. I was selfishly disappointed to hear he is leaving Texas high school ball, as I will miss opportunities to see him, but is sure to be facing top competition at Spire Academy and I am excited to keep tabs on his development! I was selfishly disappointed to hear he is leaving Texas high school ball, as I will miss opportunities to see him, but is sure to be facing top competition at Spire Academy and I am excited to keep tabs on his development!
Jayden Barrs Jayden Barrs 6'2" | PG Manor | 2023 State TX 2023 6’2 Manor High School (ASAK 17U Elite)
Jayden is an explosive guard who has the ability to play off the ball, and on both sides of the ball. He is a very impressive athlete with how quickly he moves laterally, but also how he leaps toward the rim. When he does not have the ball, he is constantly in motion, and loves to catch his opponent sleeping with a well timed back cut. He is a high level slasher with a fantastic motor which wears on his opponents. With a live dribble he showed an ability to attack in the full court, and loves taking advantage of the fast break. I would like to see him work on his decision making in the half court to become a more combo guard type player. On the defensive side of things, he uses his motor to close out hard on his opponents and do all of the little things necessary to have a successful team. I was very impressed by his basketball IQ and how he baited opponents into lazy passes.
Dylon Richardson Dylon Richardson 6'2" | PG Hutto | 2023 TX 2023 6’3 Hutto High School (ASAK 17U Elite)
Dylon is an elite offensive weapon with the ability to affect the game at all three levels. He is a sniper when he gets an opportunity to set his feet. I was really impressed by his off-ball movement and how he always seemed to be ready to catch and shoot quickly. He knocked down shots from all around the arc and forced the defense to contest him hard. His ability to calmly create looks for himself at all three levels was incredibly elite. He showed an ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the rim. He finished with ease at the rim and showed off some impressive up and under through traffic. He is an explosive leaper who can throw down lobs to change the momentum of the game. He has a real connection with all of his teammates and uses his court vision to create looks for his teammates as well. He is not a selfish player, he is the ideal combo guard with how easy he scores the ball but also makes the extra pass in the full and half court to find an even better shot for a teammate. Where I have seen the most growth in him since the last time I saw him was his ability to affect the game on the defensive end of the court. He is an incredibly aware trapper who knows how to cut off angles to the passes and really put pressure on ball handlers over every inch of the court. TX
JaCovey Campbell JaCovey Campbell 5'8" | PG Accelerated Prep | 2024 TX 2023 5’9 McKinney High School (Team Grrr)
JaCovey is an intelligent point guard who thrives in the half court, he creates a plethora of shot opportunities for his teammates. He is great at getting into the teeth of the defense and kicking it out to his shooters on the wing. His ability to create opportunities for his teammates in the half court allows everyone to touch the ball and affect the game. He seems to be reading the game just one step ahead of the defense every time down the court. I was very impressed with how well he uses his eyes to manipulate the defense, literally moving his opponents out of his way with a simple head fake. He routinely set up his bigs in the half court, and calmly operated the pick and roll. He made good decisions every time he had the ball in his hands. Campbell is the kind of old school point guard that is almost becoming a lost art this day in age. He is not just a passer, he got into the teeth of the defense and finished at the rim even dispute the size disadvantage.
Levi Rutledge Levi Rutledge 6'6" | SG IMG Academy Post Grad (2024) | 2023 State TX 2023 6’6 Cedar Park High School (ATX Lockdown 17U)
Levi is a huge combo guard with a great feel for the game and high basketball IQ. He is a smooth scorer off the bounce and can do damage in the mid-range or beyond the arc. I was very impressed with how well he is making shots off the bounce, confidently rising up every time no matter the outcome of the possession the time before. His confidence in his shot from all areas around the arc was very impressive, however he is not just a stand up shooter. He is a great decision maker with the ball and has a real ability to create open looks for his teammates. Rutledge operates well out of the triple threat where he is explosive in turning the corner on his opponent. I was very impressed with the ease of which the scoring came from him in this area. He is great at finishing at the rim off the bounce, a skill that generates him a ton of easy and efficient offense. His ability to euro step around defenders and find space when there is none was very impressive. He is good at moving around contact at the rim and contorting his body to get a better look for himself.