Curtis Weathers, Ajare Sanni, and others impress in Day 1 of GASO
Day one of the Great American Shoot-Out tipped Friday night and Blue Zertuche and Lyndon Cook took in the action. Players hit the court ready to impress and here are some of the players that caught our eyes.
Grayson Carter - Dallas Showtyme Elite - 2018
TexasHoops ANALYSIS: Carter stands at 6'9 with a good frame and one of the purest looking strokes the GASO staff has seen this summer for a prospect his size. He has the ability to start and lead fast breaks as well as finish them off. Also been hitting the offensive glass and banging inside more often, which is good to see for Carter.
--Lyndon Cook
Grayson Early - The BluePrint5 - 2018
TexasHoops ANALYSIS: Early has the appearance of a Division I prospect and he definitely shoots like one too. The East Texas native is skilled and has size ready to compete when he hits the court. Early will get on the boards on both ends of the court and offensively wants to get his feet planted behind the arc. However, Early did show he was willing to put the ball on the floor and get to the rim.
--Blue Zertuche
Ashley Mukendi - The BluePrint5 - 2018
TexasHoops ANALYSIS: The first word that comes to mind is powerful when describing 6-foot-8 Mukendi. The "New Kid on the Block" was a monster athlete in the paint snatching rebounds and moving around with ease. Overall his game is raw, but there is potential.
--Blue Zertuche
Jamal Gaines - Universal Academy - 2018
TexasHoops ANALYSIS: Gaines is an extremely long 6-foot-9 prospect who can dominate the glass with his length. He can step out and hit the 3 and is a crafty finisher around the rim. Gaines is already a shot-blocking force, but if he adds some weight he could become a huge presence in the pain.
--Blue Zertuche
Matt Garriga - Dallas Showtyme Elite - 2018
TexasHoops ANALYSIS: Garriga is a tough, hard-working guard with one of the quickest sets of hands on the circuit. Forces a ton of steals and really clamps down on his man. Capable from 3 and has a nice pull-up game. Elevates well on the drive and takes high percentage shots. He is a prospect on the rise for sure.
--Lyndon Cook
Traylynn Spencer - F.I.R.M. - 2018
TexasHoops ANALYSIS: Spencer is an exceptionally lengthy interior presence who can turn the paint into a "no-fly zone." He has shown he is capable hitting the J out to 12-15 feet, moves smart and is always looking to get into gaps against a zone. Spencer also showed off his ability to elevate around the rim, and when he goes up to dunk it he shows no mercy. With some time in the weight room, Spencer could be a very intimidating big man.
--Lyndon Cook
Curtis Weathers - RM5 Elite East - 2018
TexasHoops ANALYSIS: Weathers turned the heads of the GASO staff a few weekends ago at the TexasHoops Combine, and did it once again Friday night at the Live Period GASO. Weathers is a smooth player at six-foot-6, with a polished game both around the rim and on the perimeter. He has a solid lefty stroke from distance but is best taking the ball to the hole and finishing strong. Watch for his stock to rise even more after this weekend.
--Lyndon Cook
Ajare Sanni - Sanni Hoops - 2018
TexasHoops ANALYSIS: Sanni is trying to make the jump from a ball-dominant to pure scorer to a more well-rounded game, and on current evidence, it's going smoothly. Sanni is still one of the best shooters off the dribble in his class but has added the ability to get to the rim and finish as well as set up teammates to score. He is a microwave player, always capable of getting hot and going off for big time numbers, just as he did at last summer's Live Period GASO when he dropped 49 on RM5.
--Lyndon Cook