GASO Player Recap Part 2

NOTE: The Great American Shoot-Out was a hot bed for talent from around the state during the first two of three spring events. TexasHoops.com will be recapping in several different articles the players from multiple classes who stood out during the March and April GASO.

The Houston Superstars traveled twice to the Great American Shoot-Out and Chris Harris (c/o 2015/Texas A&M commit) was showing that he continues to improve his offensive game. He is a lengthy thinner bodied post that has been known for his defense, blocking shots and rebounding, but this time around Harris showed that he also had a nice touch from 12-feet away from the rim. He isn't over powering like Elijah Thomas or Tyler Davis, but Harris has athleticism at the position that makes him a very good early get for the Aggies. He needs strength to compete with bigger post, but then again, most post players don't have the length and the quick bounce off the floor as the 6-foot-10 Harris. Harris also showed the ability to score inside against many players he faced.

There is a reason that many college programs are grabbing an early look at Houston Defender's J.J. Caldwell (c/o 2016). The powerful body of this true point guard, and his speed goes great with his court vision. Caldwell can body up to any defender and actually excels off the physical play. He zips the ball to his teammates, runs a half-court or up tempo game, and will get to the hole and score.

Another impressive big was Texas Select's Dante Hales-Williams (c/o 2015) from Arlington Bowie. The 6-foot-10 long and lanky paint player is thin on top, but uses his length. He battles with the best of the best and blocks shots and rebounds. He needs strength but Hales doesn't back down as he is a really good rim protector. When he gets the ball on the block, Hales showed a soft touch over his shoulders. High majors will be watching Hales closely after his two solid weekends at GASO.

Urban DFW Elite dynamic duo of 2016's Cameron McGriff (South Grand Prairie) and Josh Parrish (Arlington Seguin) were looking like a hard combo to beat. McGriff is getting his skill to a higher level, but it's his athleticism that can steal the show when he gets going on the court. McGriff has that natural explosive step to the rim that defenders don't want to step in front of. He will finish with power and is always finding ways to make plays. Parish is a dribble drive type guard that uses his body to muscle up to his opponents. He has a soft left touch and drains the mid-range jumper.

CJ Massingburg (c/o 2015) is a rangy guard that can score in bunches for DJH5 (South Oak Cliff HS). He does a great job of running the floor and stopping in transition to fire up the nets. Massingburg shows off his ball handling skills and can get by pressure in the open court and get the offense rolling. He can play both guard spots, but is capable of running off screens and creating space to catch and shoot.

Making a move…

This past high school basketball season, Converse Judson came up a bit short in their goal of a state title, but Tony Allen (c/o 2015) did his part of making a name for himself. Allen is looking to parlay his hot end to the high school season into something special, and the 6-foot-2 shooting guard is making his move to the point guard position with the TX D1 Ambassadors. He is trying to develop his skills with the ball in his hands and he looked comfortable. Allen even showed that he is willing to differ to his teammates. Still, Allen needs to take advantage of his time with the ball in his hands, but still needs to show his knockdown three-point approach to the game. No question that Allen will be deadly when he adds his scoring punch to his developing point guard skills.

Deon Barrett (c/o 2016) is starting to look more and more like a point guard after being classified as a 5-foot-9 shooting guard. The extremely skilled Barrett has done more than his part to show the doubters that he can be a really good next level point guard. He is strong with the ball, handle pressure, can take contact in the lane and can drain the three. He is a scorer first at the Skyline High School, but being the size that he is, Barrett used the GASO stage (and Texas Hoops Combine) to prepare for the open period in just a few days. Barrett may be low on some recruiters radar as a point guard, but take note that Barrett is ready to make the next step in his development. Adding his scoring touch makes him a dangerous player against opponents who aren't ready for him.

Others Players:

Hayden Koval 6-foot-10 (c/o 2016) from Home School is very intriguing with a developing game around the basket. He alters shots and scores over defenders.

Teammates (both c/o 2016) Demarcus Hartfield and Xavier Seaton of San Antonio Hustlers made some noise in the first GASO. Hartfield is a slasher that has a quick first step to the rim, and can fight off defenders when he drives. Seaton is a shooter that is streaky, but when he has a clean look he will make opponents pay.

Mr. do-it-all from Texas Crusaders, 6-foot-5 combo forward Brendan Baker (c/o 2015) is a triple threat to score, pass, and rebounder.

Texas Titans Marques Bolden (c/o 2016) plays with a lot of instincts around the rim. With his long reach, he showed that h could throwdown tip dunks, grab rebounds and block shots. The DeSoto prospect is still developing, but he has a high ceiling.

From the TX D1 Ambassadors West Texas Group, Nathan Rogers (c/o 2015) looks to be an interesting post. He has the size and some nice ability when he gets position. He alters shots and scores around the rim.