Walker, Hamilton, Wallace show versatility, plus Nationally ranked players
Kaden Archie Urban DFW Elite-Jazzy
Arguably no player blew up this spring more than Urban DFW's Kaden Archie, attracting offers and interest from a plethora of Power 5 programs. And for good reason. Archie has looked to be in mid-season form every time the TexasHoops/GASO staff has watched him this spring and summer. Archie is an extremely versatile player, with the size and athleticism of a wing coupled with the handles and passing ability of a guard. He is a grinder on defense and gets his fair share of boards on both ends. When he builds up a head of steam Archie takes some stopping going to the bucket. Archie simply makes his teammates better, whether that is finding them for easy baskets or having the basketball knowledge to know when one of them has the hot hand.
Charles Bassey Yes II Success/Texas Future
There is no player on the GASO circuit more physical than Charles Bassey as a forward. Bassey uses his huge frame to post up and just beat defenders into submission before he lays in an easy bucket. It is no exaggeration to say that Bassey posts up harder than some bigs in college. But Bassey isn't just a physical banger in the block, his skill set is what earned him the No.2 spot in the Rivals national rankings and the No.1 2019 prospect in the Texas Hoops 2019 Rankings. During the past two Great American Shoot-Outs, Bassey has stepped out and hit multiple threes. His size makes him a great rebounder, but the effort Bassey puts in to hitting the glass makes him elite.
Luke Hamilton CenTex Lockdown
Over the weekend Hamilton helped the Austin-area squad to a GASO title, and he did with his brand of basketball. Hamilton is skilled, is a nice passer, and a shooter who doesn't force too many shots. A catch and shoot player by nature, Hamilton used his dribble to step inside the arc and hit soft 17 footers. Even in a crowd, Hamilton took the ball to the cup and finished. His understanding of spacing allowed for his inside teammates to get position as he dumped the ball inside. When watching Hamilton, you get a sense of an old-school mentality.
Vincent Lee Lone Star Elite
You can check off all the boxes for power forward Lee as he steps onto the court with his trim built basketball frame and his athleticism. Lee has an easy going feeling about him on the court, running from baseline to baseline, bouncing off the floor with ease. Lee rises in the paint to finish and elevates off the floor with his arm extended for his mir-range jumpers. Lee will work inside out and back down his defender to lay the ball in off a baby hook. He also will square up to the basket and look for a one or two dribble separation. Leee's stock has skyrocketed, but I have a feeling he isn't done yet.
Isaac Likekele YGC36 Elite
Let's sum up Likekele in one word, WINNER! He is the type of player that will win a college program games. Likekele plays with energy and everything that he does on the court brings a spark for his team. He goes hard and fights inside and out stealing a rebound from bigger and taller opponents. What is impressive is the amount of energy that Likekele plays and the way he instinctively attacks the basket to rebound or score. He showed more athleticism than I remember as he moved around defenders heading to the basket. He has good control of his body once he takes off and finishes strong.
Grant Shefield YGC36 Elite
Grant Sherfield is a true Top 5 talent in the class of 2019, scoring the ball relentlessly on the offensive end. He has packed on muscle during the off-season and looks considerably stronger going to the hole. Sherfield has an almost uncanny ability to finish around the rim, at times it seems everything he puts on the hoop will fall. His three point shot is still as deadly as ever and his crossover rivals the quickest in the state. As a ball-dominant guard, he can dominate in isolation or drive and dish to get teammates easy buckets. Sherfield has made 20-plus point games his norm at the GASO.
Jaylen Walker Texas Impact 4:13
If an award had to be given out for "Best Versatility", Walker would receive the honors for his willingness to be a paint player and not a shooter. Walker is known for his length, size and shooting ability, but against Urban DFW in the championship game, the Allen High School product went down low on the block and went to work against the length and athleticism of the Urban squad. Walker was quick to lay the ball in and positioned himself to become an easy target for his guards. He truly did what the team needed him to do.
Addison Wallace Lone Star Elite
A lot has changed for Wallace in the maturity department since the TexasHoops/GASO staff was introduced to him during the Fall of 2016 Texas Hoops Combine. Wallace's body has started filling out and he has added strength to his frame. He has always been an explosive athlete who could drain jumpers, but now Wallace is showing that he can take control of a game as the primary ball handler to go along with his off the ball talents. The combo guard has the ability to attack the rim and finish in traffic.
Samuel Williamson Texas Impact 4:13
It's an effortless style in which Williamson plays. The way he moves from point A to point B on the court looks as if he is on roller skates. Nothing he does is out of the ordinary, but he is graceful coming off the dribble and banging in the mid-range shot. He is skilled and is always looking over the defense, making the skip pass or the quick decision to throw the ball inside to a paint player. In transition, Williamson will move the ball up the court and find a teammate if he isn't headed towards the basket. Defensively he is long and wiry, making an easy pass seem difficult for his opponent.