GASO Daily Trio: East, South, and West Players to Watch
Elijah Parquet - Team Stage - Beaumont Westbrook - 2018
TexasHoops ANALYSIS: Parquet is a smooth moving athletic guard and one of the state's best finishers through contact at the rim. The Beaumont product has jumped onto college recruiting boards this year, and was playing some of his best ball when the TexasHoops staff saw him last at the Houston GASO. Parquet can hit the three and is good on the pull up, but impresses the most when he gets downhill and makes plays on the drive. Parquet loves to run the floor in transition and is unselfish with the ball on the break. His current rank at No.35 in the class of 2018 could prove to be a little low if he keeps up his recent form at the Live Period.
What he's looking forward to in July: "That despite all these ranking lists that are out with these 'top players', that I can go out and play on a high level and show (college coaches) that I've been working and my game is constantly getting better."
Interest & Offers: Parquet has pulled in 7 offers so far from the likes of Houston, Incarnate Word, Lamar, Louisiana Tech, Oral Roberts, Rice, and Texas State. He's also caught the eye of several other programs, receiving interest from such schools as Clemson, Louisiana-Lafayette, Northern Colorado, Sam Houston State, San Diego State, SMU, South Carolina, Stephen F. Austin, Texas A&M, and Tulsa.
On coming back from an injury: Parquet missed 3 and a half months this season after he tore the slap lesion cartilage near his rotator cuff in his shooting arm. He had this to say about it: "I'm feeling real confident coming back from this injury, it's been a long process but I've been in the gym working on my craft ever since the doctor released me back in April. I feel like I'm stronger and better than I was before."
What's he's working on for the Live Period: "My shot consistency, because coming back from my injury I couldn't raise my arm for 3 months. So I'm just trying to get my shot better than it was before."
Will Chayer - Corpus Christi Bruins - Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial - 2018
TexasHoops ANALYSIS: Chayer is a grinder on the inside with a nice skill set in his possession. He has range out to the 3-point line and a nice lefty hook shot, but it's his post-passing that has been setting him apart this summer. Chayer finds open shooters on the perimeter from the block, and his passing from a high-low look to his post partner is second to none. Chayer looks likely to add strength and mass to his frame given time in the weight room. He has a great set of fundamentals in place and knows his role on the floor, but most importantly he WINS. Chayer was the cornerstone of his Veterans Memorial team's run to the UIL 5A State Tournament, as well as the Corpus Christi Bruins team who took home 2 consecutive GASO titles in Bryan and Houston.
What he's looking forward to in July: "I'm feeling pretty good about my game but I need to work on my shot so I can extend my range. I'm trying to show that I'm a great teammate and will do what is needed to win."
Interest & Offers: Chayer is yet to be offered, but has been receiving interest from Lamar, Southwestern, Trinity, and UT-Dallas, as well as his hometown program Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
The reason for Corpus Christi Bruins recent success: "We have been sharing the ball to get the best shot and been playing for each other."
What he's working on for the Live Period: "Definitely my outside shot."
Tristen Newton - El Paso Heat - El Paso Burges - 2019
TexasHoops ANALYSIS: Newton is a proven bucket getter at the high school level, with a game that looks like it will translate well to college. The combination of Newton and his older brother Jawaun (2018) has a legitimate claim to be the deadliest in West Texas. Newton has 30-foot range on his shot, but also the ability to take his man to the hoop and finish with some crafty moves. He actively looks for his shot behind the line, and will pull up in transition or if a defender goes under a screen and fire. Newton forces his fair share of turnovers with a quick set of hands and great defensive anticipation.
What he's looking forward to in July: "I've been in the gym trying to get better and just played in 2 team camps which our team won. I'm trying to show coaches I'm a good team leader, not just a scorer. And that I can play good defense as well."
Interest & Offers: Arizona State, New Mexico, Oral Roberts, and Texas Tech have all been in communication with Newton this year, though that number is expected to grow after more coaches get a chance to see him at the Live Period GASO.
How playing in El Paso affects his game: "(Playing in El Paso) makes me a lot tougher, and it makes me get my handle a lot tighter because most of the guys I go up against are much smaller than me."
What he's working on for the Live Period: "My ball handling and defense."