I am back in Houston for University Sports, "Spring Preview," and there were several big games going on.
Urban ASAK 16U vs Basketball Univ. Gold 16U
2020 LJ Cryer for Basketball Univ. went to work as he scored 28 points to go with 10 assists in the win. His shot wasn't on, but he was able to get in the lane and draw fouls. His ability to push the ball up the floor by a simple pass is small but it generated easy points for his team. Also 2019 Pierce Hellums is in the right position to get a good shot. He was efficient this game and he was quick with his decisions with the ball, that allowed him to get good shots off the dribble as well. For ASAK, Tyrese Taylor was a handful inside as the 2019 6'7 forward used his strength to gain good position for rebounds and finish inside. Taylor displayed a solid touch from 12-15 feet out and he did a good job this game making shots under contact.
Urban DFW 15U vs Basketball Univ 15U
Urban DFW's 15U is scrappy and have a nice team. 2020 Jarquavius Kent ran the point and he did a good job getting his teammates involved. Most of his points came from attacking the rim, which is good, but he also has a solid jumper when he gets his feet set. Kent made big plays all game and was instrumental in Urban's win. His teammate Andrew Laczkowski is a forward with a quick release on his jumper. Andrew was effective on pick and pops and when his defender helped on the drive and left him open. Basketball Univ. 2020 Vernon Broughton showcased an improved in and out game and has shed some weight since the last time I saw him, which allows him to be quicker. He can also bang inside due to his frame and his jumper off the dribble looked better. Another player that did well was Bakari Lastrap. Lastrap is a playmaker and although he did a good job getting his teammates involved, Bakari also can get it going quick on offense. he has gotten stronger and his pull-up mid-range looked good as well.
Urban DFW vs. New York Lightning
Urban came away with the win and due to big games from 2018 Kennedy Milton and Kaden Archie. Milton handled the physical on-ball defense well and didn't get rattled. It wasn't just the scoring fpr Milton but the ability to get his team in their sets, facilitate on drives and play tough on-ball defense. Archie was aggressive on offense, looking to get his shot. His athleticism allows him to score inside and he knocked down a few clutch perimeter jumpers as well. I liked what I saw from 2018 forward Malachi De Sousa as he was physical inside, able to get tip ins on rebounds and get the opposing big men out of the paint on defense. He has quick bounce, which allows him to get his shot over bigger defenders inside. Jared Rhoden had a very solid game as well. He excels scoring off the dribble and he is still effiecient when their is a hand in his face on a shot. He is also a good off-ball defender, as he moved well to get in help-side and his active hands allow him to get steal and deflections.
Player Notables
Will Baker, 2019 C Urban ASAK: Baker is a lefty with great size. Standing at 6'9, Baker has solid athleticism and he has a nice touch from 10-12 feet out. One thing I like about baker is his ability to see the floor from the top of the key and make the right play. Either that's finding the cutter or his teammate posting up.
Mykell Robinson, 2019 G Rockstarz: Robinson is a long guard that shoots the ball well from the perimeter. He handled pressure well in the man to man press and when he was tuned in on defense, he was getting steals in deflections that allowed for easy points for his team.
Posh Alexander, 2020 G New York Lightning: Alexander is super quick and shifty with the ball, the freshman will be playing in the 17U EYBL team for Lightning and I was impressed by his vision and physique which allows him to guard bigger players. Alexander has a chance to be special.
Jevon Burton, 2018 G RL9: Burton has grown since the last time I saw him play and his offensve game is more efficient. He did a solid job getting into the lane but if it's not there he alsw has a good pull-up jumper to use.
Terrion Miller, 2017 F RL9: Miller is a unsign senior but he needs to be on a college's radar. The 6'7-6'8 forward can score inside and out and plays with a high motor. No doubt a next level player.
Brock Cunningham, 2018 PF Urban ASAK: Cunningham shot the ball very well on Saturday off the catch and he showcased that he can score off the dribble well. There weren't many times that Cunningham took bad shots and his IQ for the game and ability ot get to his spots are what I liked.
Charles Smith IV, 2019 G Basketball Univ: Smith IV displayed his athleticism on Saturday. The 6'5 guard also has good range on his jumper and can score off the dribble well. A definite stud in the 2019 class and top 5 in Texas.
Nigel Hawkins, 2018 G Basketball Univ: Hawkins I have gotten to see the past two weeks and he did a good job knowing when to score and when to get his teammates involved. Hawkins makes plays and has been key for BU so far.
Darius Miles, 2020 C Urban DFW: Miles is a 6'10 center that has improved his coordination and touch. He does a good job getting to the spots for help side defense. Finishing with a solid right handed hook and rebounding the ball on the offensive side. Miles has huge potential and I'm glad to see progress in his game.
Jerrius Hicklin, 2019 G Urban DFW: Hicklin has a smooth offensive game and I like watching him play. From pull-up jumpers, coming off screens and finishing in the lane with floaters, Hicklin never seems to be in a rush on offense and gets the best shot possible.
Zach Iyeyemi, 2019 PF Rockstarz: Iyeyemi is a 6'6-6'7 burly forward that does a great job getting good position on the block. Iyeyemi has put on some weight, which has helped him finish inside better. He also has good footwork inside, executing up and unders, and drop steps to get a good look in the paint.
Anthony Scott, 2020 PG Urban ASAK: Scott shot looked much improved as the motion on his shot is more consistent and quick. Scott is a pesky defender and is always active on that side of the ball which is what I liked about him.
Dana Barnes, 2019 F Texas Elite: Barnes is an athletic forward that scores inside and out. He had a highlight dunk on Saturday and when he is focus during the game, he is a problem. Like watching him operate from the high post and wing.
Other Notables
Dedric Brooks, 2019 G Texas Elite 16U
Noah Kon, 2021 G Basketball Univ. 15U
Jamal Shead, 2020 G Urban ASAK 15U (DEFINITE SLEEPER)
Brandon Parks, 2020 G Urban ASAK 15U
Braden Bell, 2018 F Urban DFW 17U
Semaj Trahan, 2019 G RL9
Jonathon Dorsett Morris, 2018 C RL9 (6'9 SLEEPER)
Greg Brown, 2020 SF Basketball Univ. 17U
Darius McBride, 2019 G Urban ASAK 17U
Calvin Solomon, 2019 F Basketball Univ. 16U
Jalon Clark, 2018 G Basketball Univ. 17U (Silver)
CJ Smith, 2019 G Urban DFW 16U
Justin Nimmer, 2018 F Urban DFW 17U
