Top Prospects from RCS Sports Super 16 (4/4)
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Check out my analysis on some of the top performers from the RCS Sports- Super 16 Event! This event brought out some of the best private and public schools in the Houston area, and featured some high profile match-ups! Christian…
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Continue ReadingCheck out my analysis on some of the top performers from the RCS Sports- Super 16 Event! This event brought out some of the best private and public schools in the Houston area, and featured some high profile match-ups!
Christian Hodge Christian Hodge 6'5" | SF St. Francis Episcopal School | 2025 TX 2025 6’3 St Francis Episcopal
Christian is a high level glue guy who rebounds the ball, defends at a high level and is a very consistent finisher in the paint. I was very impressed with his aggressiveness on the court, his willingness to clean up the glass on both ends, and his versatility defensively. He has the foot speed and motor to defend guards on the perimeter, and the strength and length to defend wings as well. As Hodge continues to add strength to his lanky frame, he might even be able to defend smaller forwards in a pinch with how hard he fight in the paint. I would also like to see him continue to add range to his game, and become a more traditional “3 and D” type player, but his versatility on the defensive end and how hard he competes is already ready to transition to the next level!
Ja’Various Thompson 2024 6’2 Aldine Nimitz High School
Ja’Various has made a tremendous leap over this last summer, becoming much more confident with his handle and how easily he is able to beat his opponent’s off the bounce and get into his shot. He was a knock down shooter last year who showed an ability to put the ball on the floor and slash, but this year he looks even more confident in where he hunts for his shots. He is pulling up in your face from all three levels of the floor, and his high level shooting is a real weapon and forces his opponent’s to close out on him hard, opening up more driving lanes for himself. He has a great frame for a guard, and he uses it as a real weapon on the interior. His long arms allow him to go up strong and finish above most guards, and he has the athleticism to hang in the air and adjust his shot angles as well.
Chris McDermott Chris McDermott 6'7" | SF Booker T. Washington | 2024 State #159 Nation TX 2024 6’7 Booker T Washington High School
Chris is an aggressive finisher and paint presence, who works hard on the interior to create separation. He has an array of post moves, paired well with his strength on the block allows him to move his opponents around down low. He used head fakes and pump fakes to create separation on the block. He also gets plenty of easy second chance opportunities through his energy and how hard he crashes the glass. He works hard down low, bullying his opponents and moving them all around the paint and underneath the rim! His tenacity in the paint is a real weapon, securing second chance opportunities and also ending defensive possessions with how well he high points the ball. He goes up strong with two hands to snatch rebounds, play the passing lanes or even catch a bad entry pass. McDermott’s energy and aggressiveness is a real weapon for himself on the interior.
Jake Pike Jake Pike 6'7" | PF Houston St. Thomas | 2023 State TX 2023 6’7 St Thomas High School
Jake is the definition of a “Three and D” forward, with the intensity he plays on the defensive side of the ball, and how well he can shoot it from the outside. I was very impressed by how easily he was able to chase down blocks, slide over to protect the rim and even play the passing lanes. He showed all of the necessary defensive skills to defend wings and forwards at the next level. He knocked down shots with ease from the perimeter, calmly scoring the ball from the corners and the wings off the catch. He has a quick release and great shot mechanics from the outside, allowing him to rapidly get the ball up after catching the ball to punish the defense. I would like to see him continue to add strength and increasing his ferocity on the interior. He can dominate on the block with the impressive footwork he has displayed, and against smaller match-ups I would like to see him look to exploit it more.
Ty Beston 2023 6’3 St Thomas High School
Ty is an aggressive slasher and finisher in the paint, who has an array of craft moves to get around the last defender at the rim. I was very impressed by how easily he was able to finish at the rim, and how naturally he was able to create space in the paint. He spun off defenders, used head fakes and went up strong to finish on either side of the rim. Beston is an special guard who can play on and off the ball and dominate his match-up anyway possible. He made good passes up the court to beat the defense on the fast break, and then quickly moved to the corners or dives to the rim if the opening is there.