GASO Memorial Standouts

Carrollton - The Memorial Great American Shoot-Out never seems to disappoint in the area of competition and high-level players. A star was born on the main NBA courts, as spectators were introduced to many new stars, especially Javon Levi.

River Reed played a significant role in SABO's NBA Championship title run, which turned out to be the program's eighth NBA titles in two years.

Reed, a 6-foot-9 versatile forward helped with the inside duties alongside 6-foot-10 Luke Schultz and in the end he was the difference in bracket play. After a few subpar outings early in the spring at the Great American Shoot-Outs, Reed was having a hard time asserting himself on the offensive side of the ball, but during the past two GASO (San Antonio and Memorial) he has taken charge on the boards and has used his skill set as a major weapon in his game. Being a passer, rebounder, a threat from the perimeter and inside the paint scorer has given SABO a much-needed boost against guard-heavy teams.

Reed scored over 20 points multiple games and was a leader on the court last weekend. SABO likes to put the ball up from behind the arc, and Reed's length helps with keeping the ball alive and in the team's possession. Reed isn't an over the top athlete, but he understands how to play and has Ty experience and toughness.

It's that time of the year when players start breaking out of their shell, and that is what Javon Levi did at the Great American Shoot-Out as he suited up for the Dallas Showtyme Elite. Levi displayed his speed and quickness to the hole, his ability to dish the ball and the 5-foot-9 point guard delivered on the scoreboard. Levi had a 23- point outburst that included a coast to coast buzzer-beating layin through traffic to give Showtyme a 2-0 record during the first day of games.

"We have to find ways to win," said Levi. "Big E told me to get the ball and go and to score, so I did."

Levi has been ranked by TexasHoops.com in the 2017 class and holds the No.81 overall position. Playing during the high school season Levi helped Killeen Shoemaker to a regional semi-finals berth, only to come up short against Atascocita. Levi played a different role on the senior-heavy squad, but some of the qualities of his game were there, but now, it has risen to a whole another level. The other thing that sticks out about Levi's game is his defense. He crowds his opponents and causes turnovers. That trait is part of his Shoemaker high school team, that if you aren't willing to defend, you don't play.

Levi was consistent throughout the entire weekend and he will jump 50-plus spots in the upcoming rankings at the end of June.

The only recruitment Levi says he has is from Texas State.

Teammates Odessey Keeling and David Thomas were big-time help in Showtyme's march to the NBA Championship game.

Keeling is thin but is athletic. He was quick to the paint and exploded for points using pull-up jumpers and getting through traffic to finishing. Keeling has a quick trigger from behind the arc and like the rest of the team, he will let it fly to cut into any lead or to help grow his team's advantage on the scoreboard.

Thomas is a wiry forward that doesn't have to do a ton of scoring but he picks his moments. At 6-foot-6 Thomas can play inside/out and will take the ball to the basket when he has a slower big man on him, but then he will work on the block to use his reach over smaller guards that want to defend him. He is an all-purpose player that rebounds and alters shots inside the paint and out on the perimeter. TexasHoops.com staff liked what they saw over the weekend, and Thomas certainly has some wiggle room to move up the latter of the rankings.

The TX D1 Ambassadors 17s (adidas) went 3-0 this weekend in pool play winning games against Basketball Univeristy AG, Swaghouse and THP. The success of the Ambassadors is based on team ball, but it's not hard to spot 6-foot-9 forward/post, Jesse Furlong. The Midway High School prospect is turning his game into more of a face-up style and he finds his way to the three-point arc.

Furlong has been more of a on the block scorer that could step out to and hit the 15-footer, but now he has added range. In an overtime victory against Basketball University AG, Furlong went for 23 points, including hitting two threes. When he gets to the block, Furlong can create space with his body and score.

The TexasHoops/GASO staff spotted an up and comer in Texas Impact 4:13 wing Elijah Jones. The staff took an early look at Jones during a Texas Hoops Combine, but nursing an ankle injury didn't allow for a reliable evaluation and limited Jones' play.

Here we are now, and Jones passes the eye exam, and when he has the ball in his hands, the 6-foot-2 is a talented guard that can play on the floor with anyone. He has an active game, and he is aggressive getting to the basket scoring in a crowd of defenders. Jones has point guard like handles and takes care of the ball with his strong upper body taking the contact as he pushed the ball up court. If there were a part of his game lacking, it would be his perimeter game, but then again, he wasn't stopped too many times heading to the basket.

Braylen Young (2018/Byron Nelson) is a sharp-shooter that has range and is skilled. The 6-foot-2 3d Empire sniper hit seven three-pointers against YGC36.

Brandon Reeves (2017/Mansfiedl Legacy) is a bouncy athlete that has some ability outside the paint as a catch and shoot scorer behind the arc. Right now, the 6-foot-7 FV 5:17 prospect is finding his way as he is a new addition to the team.

Cam Gooden is a quick scoring guard who will get by defenders and use floaters and make shots in traffic. He handles pressure and because of his play throughout the GASO, he helped D1 Premier Hall to an appearance on Monday in the elite eight.

Anderson Tolbert of Basketball University AG is an energetic interior player that rebounds and gets off the court quick. A member of the class of 2018, Tolbert will lean up and battle anyone who is on the court. He is long and rebounds and puts the ball back in after a rebound. From the 16's team, Jalon Clark (2018/Houston Christian) is a strong slashing wing that powers his way to the rim and plays through contact.

The weekend started slow for Swag House's Marcus Garrett (2017/Dallas Skyline) but eventually picked up with some wins in Bracket play. Garrett was tested by his opponents to stick the open perimeter shot, and he did struggle, but he made up for that with his court vision and his ability to get others involved. However, Garrett can get by defenders when the pressure him and he gets to the paint.

Garrett doesn't have to carry the load for Swag House, and has help from Trae Jones. Wichita Hirschi is where Jones plays his high school ball, and was spotted by the staff back in late February. Jones is a deep threat with a nice stroke and adds a scoring punch for Swag House. He also showed that he could get to the paint and score. With Jones out of the lineup, Swag House did have a hard time scoring as many defenders glued themselves to Garrett.

Grant Sherfield (2019/Mansfield Summit) drilled shots from all over the court and scored against anyone that was thrown at him. Sherfield is a smart player that limits his mistakes and plays at a level that most players dream of achieving. The 2019 standout has a recent offer from Texas the adds to his many Big 12 offers.

THP Elite has "Mr. Reliable" in Jeff Gary (2017/Austin High). The point guard is consistent and continues his steady climb as a scorer and a high IQ next level player.

Austin Blazers didn't fare well going 0-and-4 on the weekend, but 6-foot-7 Dayante McClellan is ready for the competition. McClellan will be one to watch come July, as he is a shifty forward that can hit threes and penetrate past defenders. McClellan is athlete and will punch it.

Vipers Academy from the Rio Grande Valley traveled over eight hours to participate in the three-day event, and Ryan Garza from Edinburg Vela took advantage of his time against some of the top competition. Garza may not have the physical look of a top rated guard, but when he steps in between the lines he makes the right decision and right pass with the perfect touch. Garza reads the eyes of his opponents and anticipates on defense where the ball is going. His instincts gets the 5-foot-11 guard steals and easy layins. He has a nice lefty touch and hits floaters and 15-footers.

Brendan Brooks was dropping bombs on his opponents in the GASO and made nearly 30 in five games. The 5-foot-9 scoring point guard needs very little room to launch his shot and when he needs some space, Brooks dribbles out of trouble and strokes the three. After his 43 point performance, Brooks continued his hot shooting.