Grind Region Finals: 16U Second Team
Check out my analysis and scouting reports on the top performers from the 16U Division at the Grind Region Finals! These guys really brought some real attention their way with how well they lead their teams and did all of…
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Continue ReadingCheck out my analysis and scouting reports on the top performers from the 16U Division at the Grind Region Finals! These guys really brought some real attention their way with how well they lead their teams and did all of the little things to affect the game on both ends of the court.
Avery Thomas 2024 6’4 Terry High School, MS (Magnolia Elite 2024)
Avery is an athletic prospect who has great touch on the outside, as well as the paint, making him a complete and confident three level scorer. I was very impressed with how well he was able to make space out of the triple threat, and how skilled he was to get to his spots with his handle. I was very impressed with how he uses his length to not only finish around defenders but elevate just an inch or two higher on his jumpers. He scores very well out of the mid-post, and knows how to manipulate his defender with jab steps and head fakes. He effects the game on both ends of the court, using his tremendous motor to slide over to protect the rim or using his quick feet to defend the perimeter. He has all the tools to become an effective wing at the next level! I would like to see him work on his overall agility and ability to dip lower when he turns the corner on his opponents.
James Murray IV James Murray IV 6'6" | CG Denver East | 2025 State CO 2025 6’5 Fountain Fort Carson High School, CO (Rising Stars 2024)
James is a high level wing prospect with his skilled blend of ball control and ability to get downhill. He is great at turning the corner and using his stride to maintain the separation from his on ball defender. He is a natural finisher with either hand, and goes up strong and explodes vertically to maintain strength with the ball all the way through. He cuts without the ball and flashes into space to be a passing option whenever he senses a teammate is in trouble. He displayed pointguard type vision with some of the passes he made, both in the half court and the full court.
Defensively, his ability to defend the perimeter while also rejecting shots in the paint really stood out. He is a natural rim protector, who can be dominant on the interior when tasked with playing the small ball forward role for his team. His ability to do it all on both ends of the court makes him a really dynamic weapon who looks to have all of the athletic skills to take his game to the next level.
Jalon Thompson 2024 6’8 Desoto High School, TX (Dallas Showtyme 2024)
Jalon is a dominant team defender with his ability to protect the paint and rebound the basketball at a high level. I was very impressed with his ability to high point rebounds to come away with second chance opportunities and finishing up defensive possessions. He is a very smart outlet passer after collecting a defensive rebound, he always has his head up scanning the court for the home run pass, but makes good decisions in making a smart pass to a teammate who is leading the break on the wings at mid court. He has a great frame and explosive athleticism for his size already and he is a hard worker on the court, allowing him to affect the game through his constant energy and how well he boxes out his opponent and seals them from having a chance at contesting him. I loved his consistency that he displayed in the paint, constantly finishing through contact and cleaned up easy second chance points for his team.
Walker Williams 2024 6’0 Plano West High School, TX (Victory Academy 2024 Blue)
Walker is an incredibly aware point guard who sees the floor at a very high level, which was evident in the reads and passes he made for his teammates and how he attacked space in the defense. I was blown away at the creation and the decision making he made off the drive and kick, making a slick wrap around pass on the baseline to the weak side shooter or kicking it out after drawing the initial second defender. He routinely fit passes through very tight windows, allowing his teammates to get off high level looks. He had a few jaw dropping one handed passes that had the entire gym and opposing parents impressed. He has a tight handle, allowing him to manipulate the defense and get to his spots. He is a confident shooter from beyond the arc and the mid-range, and works hard to get to his spots with and without the ball. I would like to see him get more aggressive when attacking the rim, there was a time where his teammates could not buy a bucket, and he was force feeding them instead of playing selfishly. I do not say this is as a knock on his play-style, just personally wish he would hunt for his own looks more.
Charley Reado 2024 6’0 Fort Bend Elkins High School (F.F.E. Flyers Elite)
Reado was at it again showing off the ease in which he creates opportunities for himself. He is a smooth and crafty player who knows how to attack the rim and get into the paint. When he gets two feet in the paint, good things happen for his team. He can fire out passes to his shooters on the back side, or make the right dump off pass to his big down low. He is a consistent scorer, averaging 15 plus over the entire tournament and a few games of twenty plus. I was very impressed with the ease in which he scored from all three levels of the court, especially off the dribble. He stepped into three pointers off the catch and knocked them down at a very high clip. I was most impressed with his natural point guard instincts, he knows to not over dribble and knows just the right time to make the pass. It seems he always catches the defense on its heels every time he releases a pass.