GASO Scouting Reports: Former GASO Champs on the Radar
It's officially the week of the Live Period Great American Shoot-Out, and TexasHoops.com's Lyndon Cook is back with a daily primer to preview the tournament and teams who look ready to make a deep run.
Part 1 of this series will feature teams who have taken home GASO Championships earlier in the summer. This installment also contains 2 bonus previews featuring two of the top 16U teams in the state.
Texas Impact 4:13
Team Profile: Impact has impressed throughout the spring and summer by playing great team ball and shooting other teams out of the gym at times. Xavier Bryant (Greenhill 2018) at point makes Impact go by forcing steals and converting/setting his teammates up with easy baskets. Nick Rene (Lakeview Centennial 2018) and Marcus Hill (Jesuit 2018) together form one of the best shooting pairs of off-guards on the GASO circuit, and either or both can explode in any given game. Samuell Williamson (Rockwall 2019) headlines the frontcourt for Impact along with Jaylen Walker (Allen 2018), and has really grown into his game this summer.
Tournament outlook: Impact will have to navigate a really tough pool schedule in order to get a favorable spot in bracket play, with must-see matchups against Yes II Success, Basketball University 17U Gold, and Team Boost 2018. Impact would almost certainly like to meet Urban DFW Elite again in bracket play, with the two teams forming a rivalry after Impact took home the Memorial Day GASO championship over Urban.
Sanni Hoops Gold
Team Profile: Contrary to reputation, Sanni Hoops is not all about Ajare Sanni. Sure, Sanni can go for 50 against just about any team he faces when he's feeling it (like he recently did in a matchup with LaMelo Ball in California), but the strength of the team has been the key to success this summer. Sanni Hoops is 2 for 2 this summer, winning championships at both GASOs they have attended. Ovidio Perez (Pearland 2018) and Zaid Harris (Clear Lake 2018) complement each other's games on and are tough defenders. Australian big man Riley Abercrombie (Clear Lake 2018) is an excellent weapon as a stretch four. When combined with the microwave-like scoring ability of Ajare, Sanni Hoops looks poised to make waves at the Live Period GASO.
Tournament outlook: Sanni Hoops drew a rematch with RM5 right off the bat, and it will be interesting to see if Ajare Sanni can replicate his 49-point performance from last year's Live Period GASO when Sanni Hoops eliminated RM5. Other intriguing matchups pit Sanni Hoops against Yes II Success and 3D Empire.
Centex Lockdown Elite
Team Profile: Arguably the most successful team during the GASO circuit this summer, Centex Lockdown has been playing some of their best ball in the months leading up to the Live Period. Playing tough defense and being skilled at all 5 positions on offense makes them a tough out in bracket play. Luke Hamilton (Lake Travis 2018) has found his range and has been showing it off lately, with Prince Umanmielen (Manor 2018) bruising through defenders in the low block. AJ Smith (Jarrell 2019) is one to watch at the 1, and Malcolm Greene (Del Valle 2018) has shown flashes throughout the summer. Bryant Burton (Vista Ridge 2018) rounds out a very solid and balanced group of recruits. Though the field will be much tougher in the Live Period GASO, Centex has shown that they have the pedigree to take home championships and are not to be taken lightly.
Tournament outlook: Centex Lockdown opens up their weekend with a tricky group, having to take on Aussie Elite and Basketball University 17's Silver. The final matchup before bracket play starts will see Lockdown face off with Beaumont Westbrook star Elijah Parquet and Team STAGE.
YIIS/Texas Future 16U
Team Profile: YIIS/Texas Future 16U has not let their 17U team overshadow them this summer, taking home the Austin GASO championship with several prospects making names for themselves this summer. Sayvon Frye (SA Marshall 2019) is a prospect on the rise that could make a big climb up the rankings in the Live Period based on the form he's been in lately. Simeon German (Casady School 2019) is still developing his game, but at 6-foot-10 already looks like a next level rim protector. Other young prospects to watch are wing Johnathan Ochoa (Athlos 2020) and 6-foot-11 Onu Samuel Ayomide (Gervin 2021).
Tournament outlook: Texas Future will face Triumph Gold in the opening game of pool play in the Live Period GASO, before meeting up with Lousiana's NOLA23 17U and Houston Hoopstars ELite 17U. They will also be playing a one-off showcase game Houston Hoops EYBL 16U in a game that will pit two of the best 16U teams in the region against each other.
Basketball University 16U Gold
Team Profile: Basketball University has beat more than their fair share of 17U teams this summer, and have done it playing an exciting and high scoring brand of ball. This was showcased best when they took home the Houston GASO championship playing up a division. LJ Cryer (Morton Ranch) has proved himself to be one of the best 2020's in the state as a point guard, and his backcourt partner Pierce Hellums (Concordia Lutheran 2019) has played well every time the TexasHoops staff has seen him. Javonne Lowery (Pearland 2018) is an explosive forward who can get to the hole and finish with real power. It is not unlikely that Basketball U makes a deep run into the weekend at the expensive of older teams.
Tournament outlook: Basketball University 16U will matchup against two of the best 2019 teams in the state, scheduled to meet Urban ASAK Gold and Urban DFW Elite 16U in pool play. Their schedule also includes some international flavor, with a game against Bahamas Jaguars.