Andrew Force:
Future150 National Analyst. Covering High and Middle School basketball.
Plano, TX (Future150) -- Contributions made by Ani Umana.
Father's Day in Dallas featured college-bound players competing in the D-Town Round Ball Classic. The Future150 staff spotted some unknown gems. With tons of ferociously competitive kids in the gym, here are the top performers from Sunday.
D'Quan "Arkansas" Waheed, 2016 PG, Velocity: Waheed was explosive in his final game of the wekeend. The guard hit a couple outside shots, but wormed his way to the rack too. He is a patient, yet high-volume scorer. Waheed did battle foul trouble in this contest. With five minutes remaining Kingdom Knights began to open up a small lead. Velocity's coach sensed the momentum slipping away and inserted a foul-saddled Waheed. Within seconds he knocked down a rhythm triple. The dude can shoot and has no problem taking the big shot.
Spencer Washington, 2018 SF, Texas Celtics: Washington is a Elite 24 Camp alum who has grown since we saw him last. He is now 6-foot-5 inches and his overall length has increased. He is highly skilled which makes his game very versitale. His shooting ability puts him at the SF position but his foot speed makes him guard the 4 spot. As he gets stronger and develops his quickness look for him to take a permanent position on the wing.
Renell Blackburn, 2016 PG, Kingdom: Perhaps the second best singular shooting performance of the weekend came from Blackburn. Ini his last game of the draw Blackburn knocked down five outside shots. His team needed every point he could muster and thankfully Blackburn scores at will.
Coye Campbell, 2016 SG, GI Soldiers: The elegance of Campbell is so clear and present. Campbell makes the Soldiers very difficult to defeat because he gets to the basket all day. The silky lefty showed the most assured handle of the tournament. He has an easy way about him. His movements have the smoothness of a jazz saxophone. Absorbing contact is also simply part of the bag of tricks. Campbell pushed his team into an overtime tilt Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately, his team fell to the Plano Wolves 2017. The Wolves advanced to play the most athletic squad in the 17u division for the championship.
William Thornwell, 2017 SG, Dallas Hoyas: Thornwell reminds us of NBA pro Kyle Korver of the Atlanta Hawks. He is a big time catch and shoot player who if he gets it going early its gonna be a long day for his defender. He made seven 3-pointers in his final game of the tournament leading all scorers with 25 points. He must learn how to put the ball on the floor and create space for his shot. He's a lethal weapon when he can set his feet.
Shemarr Pearl, 2019 SF, Plano Wolves 2017: Pearl was easily the youngest participant in the entire 17u bracket. Without knowing his age there was no way of telling that he was less experienced. Pearl has a naturally strong frame. He has average handle for a high school upperclassman, despite operating as a incoming freshman wing. Rebounding, defensive commitment, and unselfishness make him an ideal teammate. Continued improvement on his mid-range game will elevate him to a vital Plano West varsity player in time.
Doak Kuhne, 2017 PG, Plano Wolves 2017: The Wolves were missing three players, but still played a cohesive, team-oriented game in their hometown Sunday. Kuhne was able to start and his contributions were many. Doak makes layups amongst the trees by applying a curious spin off the backboard. Though he can, Kuhne does not appear to need to get his shots up to be satisfied. Like any great point guard, Kuhne plays to win the game. His impact is entirely felt by the team. It was a small sample size, but Kuhne played great Sunday in three different games.
Keenan Dixon, 2016 PG, GI Soldiers: Dixon might be a shooting guard. Regardless he is a very good shooting...guard. He hits big shots in every single game and makes free throws at critical junctures. The Soldiers advanced a game or two beyond their projected depth because Dixon made big buckets and Darius Peterson played exceptional defense. Dixon's defense is better from the help side, where he routinely deflects long passes.
Darius Peterson, 2016 PG, GI Soldiers: No better defensive guard competed in the D-Town Round Ball Classic Sunday than Darius Peterson. The diminuitive guard gave the ordinarily capable Plano Wolves fits. He was not just quick, but clever with his defensive positioning and leaping ability. Post feeds and outlet passes were fruitless. Peterson also displayed incredible acrobaticism mid-flight.
Corey Banks, 2016 SG, Dallas Humility: The Humility were feisty and difficult to oust. Banks is a strong, power guard with the slashing ability to compete. When Banks pumps in double-figures the team usually wins. He is not explosive, but rebounds very well for his position.
Jackson Kimble, 2018 CF, NTX Scorpions: Mr.Fundamental is back at again this weekend and everytime we see Kimble he seems to add another aspect to his game. He's a face up 4-man who's dribbling has gotten better and loves attacking baseline. His big body allows him to finish through contact. Lets hope be gets to 6-foot-7 like his dad and if he does hes a coaches dream at the 4 position
Grayson Stinson, 2018 CG , DFW Hawks: Stinson hustled on defense playing the passing lanes well, which generated several steals. He is a knockdown shooter, especially from the corners and a solid passer in transition.
Tariq Aman, 2019 PG, Velocity: Aman played in the 17u bracket and he has the handles to excel at that level already. What he struggled with his is strength. He was getting pushed around, but for an incoming freshman to play well against upcoming seniors is very impressive.
Austin Johnson, 2016 PF, Top Achievers: Johnson is a 6-foot-7 big that has great strength to play the post. Not the most athletic as far as vertical ability, AJ is quick and active on the boards. Definitley, Johnson is a kid that needs to be on some college coach's radar.
Josiah Bradshaw, 2018 PG, DFW Hawks: Bradshaw knows how to control the game on the offensive end. He creates shots for his teammates well. He doesn't force the issue when looking to score. Bradshaw is a smart guard that is learning to become a true point guard.
BJ Thompson, 2017 CF, Arkansas Soldiers: Thompson makes our list again as he played extremely physical inside. Thompson lead to his team going to the championship game. Known for his athleticism, the versatile forward showed the staff today his takeover ability late in games.
Mason Friesch, 2019 SF, 3D Sports: Friesch doesn't have a game that is flashy or exciting but he is very productive and versatile. Brings the ball up the floor and creates for others in the half court setting, has a solid shooting touch from the perimeter once his feet is set and can play the post from time to time. Friesch needs to work on speeding up his shot as the motion is too slow but he was one of the top players in the 8th grade division the past weekend.
Dezmond Scott, 2017 PG - Dallas Hoyas: Scott is a speed demon. underratted guard that is getting some interest from UT Dallas and Prairie View. Right now is a D2, high level D3 guard due to his size but if Scott keeps improving he can turn out to have a higher projection.
Tyley Malkawi- 2018 CG, Mind Body & Soul: A guard that is effective at both the point and shooting guard positions. He showed this past weekend that he score the ball from different areas on the floor and that he is solid on ball defender.
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