GASO Dallas: Jalon Wilson, Isaac Likekele, Tre Williams, and more

The second of three stops took place over the weekend in Duncanville, where 71 teams from around the metroplex, Central, and East Texas gathered for the one-day GASO High School Fall Classic.

This is the time of the year where players start making a name for themselves and the concept of team ball comes into play.

Below you will find the highly requested TexasHoops.com News Kids on the Block (NKOTB), along with prospects that were among the best at the one-day showcase. New prospects have surfaced and TexasHoops.com (the official media of ALL Great American Shoot-Outs) and the GASO staff were on hand to capture the action. Blue Zertuche recaps the GASO.

Opponents are learning quickly that it takes at least two players to cover 6-foot-9 Drew Timmie of Richardson Pearce. Timmie keeps the ball high and creates space with his on the block footwork. Timmie positions himself nicely between the block and the basket and the 2019 standout has a soft touch at the rim, and can easily score over defenders.

Russell Barlow is listed at 6-foot-10 and looks every inch of that on the floor. Barlow has taken the time to polish his game to go along with his body on the block. The Richardson Berkner post worked in the paint whether or not he received the ball from his teammates. Being such a big target, Barlow eventually had the ball tossed inside to him, and the Berkner Ram pushed his way to the basket.

While watching 2017 Zach Elliott of Burleson Centennial, he made an impression with his toughness. Elliot has a lively body and plays with his back to the basket giving his teammates a full target. Once getting position, Elliot showed that he had the strength to play through a crowded paint.

David Nzekwesi is a big bodied 2018 low block player that also gave a little shot making ability from the outside. Nzekwesi is 6-foot-8 and moves steadily around the paint. Teammate, 2017 Nils Huizenga is a durable inside out forward who will hit shots beyond the arc and then put the ball on the floor to head to the rim and finish. He is skilled and works hard.

Jalen Wilson of Denton Guyer is among the top class of 2019 players not only in the metroplex but the state.

Wilson’s game is effortless as he moves along the perimeter, and he allows for gaps to open in the defense where he sneaks by to hit pull-up jumpers. Nothing that Wilson does is flashy, he simply hits the court to play at a high level and make basketball plays.

What Wilson is best at is his ability to make decisions within the flow of the game and not force shots or over penetrate from the perimeter. At 6-foot-6, Wilson is one of those bigger wings that high major coaches want.

Wilson is only one piece too many parts of head coach Grant Long’s team. The engine that makes this team go is the high flying, super athlete point guard De’vion Harmon. The 6-foot-1 elite ball handler is a jet and can change gears and make the defense miss as he drives to the basket and carry defenders with him to the rim. Harmon can turn the corner and play through contact and explode with a quick first step. He is a lefty with a nice touch that he uses past the three-point line. Overall, Harmon’s game is built on speed, athleticism, and explosiveness at the point guard position, and there aren't many that are better in the class of 2019 at his position.

Tyrese Maxey is well known as an “elite” guard in the early stages of the national class of 2019. Maxey is part of the youth movement at South Garland, and brings a shooters touch and a slashers mentality to the game. In the open court, Maxey will take flight and finish. To go along with his ability to score, Maxey has a great eye for getting the ball up the floor and to open teammates.

One of those teammates who benefits from the penetration and court vision of Maxey is fellow class of 2019 shooter, Chris Harris. Harris is expected to dial it up from long range and the 6-foot-2 sophomore runs the open lanes down court to get set to catch and shoot. Once that shot is falling, he will put the ball on the floor to get separation.

The third 2019 prospect from South Garland and the one player that doesn't get enough credit is Keyon Craddock. Listed as an inch under 6-foot, Craddock is a crafty ball handler who can handle pressure and allow for both Maxey and Harris to make offensive plays. Still, Craddock has a second gear to his game and that gives him an advantage when he turns the corner.

New Kids on the Block Isaac Likekele (℅ 2018) of Mansfield Timberview and Tre Williams of (℅ 2019) The Colony, both take the floor with an intense basketball play and compete at both ends.

Likekele moves around with the ball connecting on shots and and attacking the rim. The 6-foot-5 junior recently received an offer from Cal-Poly as the Mustangs head coach Joe Callero watched during his athletic period. Likekele is active and skilled. He is a player that simply needs the ball and allow him to go to work.

Tre Williams attended Prestonwood a year ago, and now has a new home where he will lead The Colony. Williams is a bull and powers his way to the rim. He is a dual threat as he can go inside and take advantage of a smaller guard. Williams led the break and finished in traffic. He also nailed three-pointers and mid-range jumpers. Defensively, Williams can body up and go inside to grab a rebound.

Rowlett had a pair of players that are new to TexasHoops.com/GASO staff. Both Devin Mitchell and Ugo Obineke are part of the class of 2018, and they have length. Mitchell, who is 6-foot-8 is thin but likes to step outside to the perimeter to shoot, and he has a nice touch. In the open court, Mitchell will get easy buckets and finishes above the rim. Obineke is also on the thin side of the spectrum when it comes to body types, but he is active and uses his long reach to rebound over the top of his opponents and get the ball back into the hoop. When the ball was in the air, Obineke did his best to get into position to rebound, and he was quick off the floor.

Irving MacArthur is entering a new year without any “big names”, but Triston Starks brings a spark to the Cardinals. Starks is a 6-foot-1 sophomore guard who looks to attack the rim. He will get the ball out of his hands and set up teammates.

Adding to the list of NKOTB is 6-foot-5 all-purpose forward Shannon Watkins out of McKinney North. Watkins picked up the scoring and rebounding slack as fellow senior Jares Pearre sat out with an injury. The bulky Watkins played with bounce once he stepped into the lane and scored from all over the court including from behind the arc.

Garrett Shaw is a 6-foot-3 shooter who is heavily involved in the Mansfield Tigers offense and the senior has the green light to shoot when he has the ball. Shaw is a skilled guard who can get hot and rattle off threes.

Jake Roberts of Denton Guyer is the ultimate “X-factor” for a team that has many weapons. The 6-foot-5 Roberts is an uncommitted senior that has experience, and he should bring leadership to a Wildcats team that has several underclassmen as their lead prospects. Roberts played multiple positions over the weekend from a guard to a forward. Roberts showed that he couldn't be left alone from the perimeter, as he has great touch on his shots. He can move inside and out, and makes plays by being a rebounder, defender, and scorer. He is a hard working skilled forward that will do all the little things to help the team win.

Sliding into a role of a shooter was junior guard Letre Darthard. The 6-foot-3 shooter ran to open spots on the perimeter and nailed the three. With teams Harmon, Wilson, and Roberts on the floor for Denton Guyer, Darthard had multiple opportunities to sit back and catch and shoot, as his teammates garnered the majority of the attention.

Creating Young Minds class of 2017 guard Kajuan Johnson was quick to the hole and could score in traffic. Though he may be only 5-foot-8, Johnson has a nice basketball built to compete. Teammate, slasher Jamiah Haynes is lean and creates contacts. Haynes is 6-foot-5 and will score at the rim.

Fort Worth Nolan Catholic’s 2019 duo of Jayden Williams and LeJon Doss are two prospects to keep an eye on. Williams is a point guard that is small, but shifty with the ball. Once he gets into the paint, Williams is crafty and will take some hits to get to the free-throw line. Last season as a freshman, Doss had his moments, but now watching him, Doss looks to have added a few inches to his strong frame. Does is a bit undersized, but he is skilled and scores inside and out. There were times when the 6-foot-6 Doss raced up the court and displayed his handles. TexasHoops/GASO staff will continue to watch the pair who look to have a bright future.

Two key 2018 transfers to DeSoto are 6-foot-4 Shawn Feggett and 6-foot-5 Feron Hunt. Feggett is a muscular forward who will grab rebounds and defend, while Hunt is a bouncy guard who will take off in the lane. Hunt is very active on both ends.

Each time Devyn Brewton for Killeen Shoemaker steps onto the floor, he is ready to go. The lanky 6-foot-6 wing knocks in shots and gets to the rim. The senior currently has Division II offers, and more will follow. Brewton has been consistent over the past year and is a dependable scorer at the rim and away from it. His length helps to beat defenders in the paint, but adding strength is the key for Brewton at the next level.

Garland Naaman Forest may have a sleeper at the guard spot in 6-foot-2 Tevin Morgan. The senior handles the ball is quick off the dribble and hits shots all over the court.

A sophomore that will need another look is Dallas Jesuit’s Julius Marble. Listed at 6-foot-6, Marble runs the floor and picks rebounds off the glass on both ends.

Waco University’s Umoja Gibson is a serviceable point guard with range on the perimeter to defend and hit the gaps for easy steals and finishes on the other end. Gibson can break down the defender and score at the rim once he gets his foot in the paint. Gibson was hitting jumpers from inside and outside the three-point line.

Maybe a forgotten guard in the class of 2017, EJ Clark of McKinney is starting to fill out his 5-foot-11 point guard frame. Clark will have every opportunity to lead the Lions, according to head coach Was Watson. With his fast-paced game and his penetrating ability, Clark can make defenses miss which leaves him with open looks at the basket and lay-ins.

Showing some burst to the bucket was The Colony’s guard Jaylon Boyd. Class of 2018, Boyd was a nice change of pace guard who looked to penetrate and hit shots from 15-feet away from the basket.

After watching Akili Vining for North Crowley, there was a sense of urgency on his end to be the one player to get the flow of the game in his team’s favor. There are plenty of players who can get their own shots, but Vining took it upon himself to be a distributor or be a third or fourth option on the offensive end of the ball and create for the likes of Jordon Myers and Grant Sherfield. He has a strong body and can play physical. The TexasHoops.com/GASO staff has been waiting for his breakout performance or year, and we feel that it's just around the corner.

An eye-catching athlete, Kirby Mabry, who is a product of Tyler Lee is a slashing wing who elevates over the defense to score. At 6-foot-5, Mabry is lean and has an active basketball body. He can run, jump and rebound, and can do a little bit of scoring. His overall game is still on the raw side, but Mabry has a chance to be a popular prospect from East Texas.

Manny Brown of Lake Dallas appears to be one of the “go-to” guys on the team as he slipped through defenders and played off the bounce once he entered the lane.

RJ Johnson of Richardson Pearce was aggressive on the offensive side of the ball breakdown the defense and getting open looks and hitting floaters. Johnson would shake off a defender or two and would either penetrate or dump the ball off inside.

Darius Miles of Lancaster is one of the players who will manage the paint for the defending 5A champs. For the time being, Miles has a soft body but he is working on getting better. Listed at 6-foot-10, the freshman eats up space on the block and works to make moves when he has the ball in his hands. Teammate, class of 2018 Laquan Butler is a slick ball handler who creates and dishes to his teammates. He does a great job scoring from the point guard position and handles pressure and makes quick moves by his defenders

In the class of 2017, Cameron Christon is climbing the latter as a top tier uncommitted player who attends Allen. Christon is lean and can do it all for the Eagles. Christon is peaking at the right time as he is regarded as one of the team’s top scoring threats. He lines up from behind the arc and drills three-pointers, and he is active heading to the basket. A strong and bigger guard, Christon should turn some heads.