GASO Daily Trio: Austin Recruits Making Waves
Luke Pluymen - Texas D1 Houston - Austin Westlake - 2018
TexasHoops ANALYSIS: Injuries have plagued Pluymen for the past two seasons, but he is close to getting back to 100% and showing it with some great performances on the court. Steady is the word that comes to mind when watching his game. Pluymen can be a lights out shooter or a great distributor within the offense, depending on what role his team needs him to play. He makes high basketball IQ plays and knows when to attack his matchup or defer to a teammate. Could move even further up the TexasHoops rankings once he's at full health.
What he's looking forward to in July: "It's just a grind coming back (from tearing his lateral meniscus). My team and coaches have understood and been great about it. Coach Watson has really helped me and talked to me about getting back in the flow and that he's gonna help me get there if I put in the work."
Interest & Offers: Pluymen is currently sitting on an offer from St. Edward's, and has been receiving calls from Air Force and Angelo State as of late.
Caleb Golden - Urban ASAK Elite - Cedar Ridge - 2020
TexasHoops ANALYSIS: Golden put himself on the radar this spring by playing up with the Urban ASAK Elite 2018's team, and has yet to look out of place. He has a very advanced repertoire of skills for a 2020 and at six-foot-3 may have another few inches of growing room. Golden gets hot in a hurry from the outside and can slash to the hoop with the best of his age group. He will be a prospect that college coaches should earmark for the future at the Live Period GASO.
What he's looking forward to in July: "As a team (Urban ASAK) we've been struggling with injuries lately, and not everyone's been at practice all the time. It's been tough for us but we've stuck together and are playing some of our best ball in time for the Live Period.
Interest: The Live Period will be a great opportunity for Golden to make his name known around the state, as the incoming sophomore has only heard from Lamar yet as far as interest goes.
Golden shot the ball extremely well during the Austin GASO, and had this to say about it: "My game is developing a lot right now, it's just putting in more work with my coaches and getting everything together. I'm just trying to help my team win."
Luke Hamilton - Centex Lockdown Elite - Lake Travis - 2018
TexasHoops ANALYSIS: At first glance Hamilton would seem like just another shooter playing the 4/5, but further inspection reveals a very polished game capable of scoring from anywhere on the court. Hamilton reads defenses well and knows when to float out to the 3 or dive to the cup when the ball is in the post. He is a long-range marksman who can hit consistently from 25+ feet, and uses pump fakes well to free up his mid-range game. He can also post up and score on the inside, though that is not his most effective game. Hamilton has been an integral part of one of the most successful teams on the GASO circuit, as his Centex Lockdown squad has taken home 3 GASO Championships so far this year.
What he's looking forward to in July: "I'm feeling good about my shooting, how I compete and the way we've been winning. I'm trying to show that I can do everything needed of me. Defense, rebounding, shooting, passing, and being a winner. I think we (Centex Lockdown) have great momentum going into the July Period. We've won 3 GASO Championships so far this season and every one has been a challenge. I'm excited to compete against the best in July and show everyone what Lockdown stands for."
Interest & Offers: Hamilton has compiled 4 schools on his offer sheet, with Abilene Christian, Dallas Baptist, Mercer, and New Hampshire all having offered him. Albany, Northern Colorado, Rice, Sam Houston State, Texas State, UMass Lowell, and UT-Rio Grande Valley have maintained interest in Hamilton this summer.
What he's working on for the Live Period: "I've been working on everything, but I'd say ball handling and getting my shot off quicker. Especially getting to the spot and being ready to shoot."