What we learned from the Frisco Lone Star Tourney

Frisco - TexasHoops.com/GASO recruiting analyst Blue Zertuche shares his five thoughts after watching some of the state's finest.

2018 Pre-season Rankings | 2019 Pre-Season Rankings

We’ve always known that R.J. Hampton was an elite scorer, but what was equally impressive watching him during the Frisco Lone Star Tournament was his precise passing. Little Elm depends on Hampton to score and score a lot he does, but he makes his teammates better and creates for them. Hampton is skillful getting the ball up the floor through traffic and then zipping the ball to his open teammates. Everything he does on the court is in the flow of the game and with ease. Whatever the 6-foot-4 guard wants to do, he does. As for now, the Little Elm star is trending on the side of being thrown into the category with the greats from the state of Texas at the guard position. Hampton will not leave a crowd of spectators, scouts or college coaches disappointed.

In the class of 2019, Frisco Liberty’s guard Zion Richardson is rising fast. Currently, the No.44 ranked player in the state, but that will change in February when the next rankings are updated. The consistency in which the 6-foot-4 do-it-all prospect has produced on the offensive side of the ball is noteworthy. He started the season by hitting 29 against Grace Prep while TexasHoops/GASO staff were in attendance and Richardson went for 19 against Plano at during the FLS Tourney. Richardson is more than just a scorer too. He displays point guard skill and will make a decision, he is a slasher and a guard that will hit the pull up jumper. Richardson has a physical body and will guard anyone from the one/two/or three. He attacks the rim on both ends of the court to rebound. As a lead ball handler, Richardson has become a hard matchup.

There are plenty of freshman from around the state who contribute to their teams and Duncan Powell of DeSoto is among the best. Any time a player suits up for DeSoto’s head coach Chris Dyer and they are a freshman, you must pay close attention. Powell is smart in the sense that he knows what he must do to stay on the floor. The DeSoto Eagles have a state-caliber team and have many options when it comes to paint players, so for 6-foot-5 (or so) power forward Powell to get quality minutes speaks volumes. What Powell adds to the Eagles team is a tough and rugged demeanor and a player who is willing to play within the offense to score. He has shown the ability to rebound and get putbacks and he has demonstrated that he will not be pushed around by older more polished players.

Zac Watson is playing power basketball for the Frisco Liberty Redhawks and it’s just a matter of time before recruiters start making their way North of the Dallas Metroplex to determine if the 6-foot-6 power forward fits on their roster. With that said, there can’t be too many programs who would pass on Watson who is playing well at both ends of the court. Watson is an interior monster grabbing rebounds and scoring facing up and with his back to the basket. Watson has a great feel for the game and his position. As with Hampton, Watson’s ability to make a pass and find cutting teammates to the basket is valuable and a huge strength for a player such as Watson to have as an interior prospect. In the games that TexasHoops/GASO staff members have watched, Watson has been dominant inside the paint. One last note on Watson, he took official visits to both Central Michigan and Dartmouth. He is open to recruitment.

Questions have been popping up from a few recruiters looking for a sturdy wing who will battle, and the answer just might be 6-foot-6 Zach Wrightsil of Prosper. Wrightsil exhibited toughness and that he was capable of playing through contact once he drove by the first layer of defenders. Prosper as a team wasn’t forced out of their comfort zone and Wrightsil was a big reason why on the offensive side of the ball. Wrightsil was a consistent scorer and finisher. When it came for someone to rebound, Wrightsil would attack the glass and turn and push the ball up court. The No.91 ranked player in the state, Wrightsil made some lasting impression as we start the season. On the recruiting front, Texas State and North Dakota are starting to show interest.