Future150 Birmingham Main Event: 13U Top Performers
by Ricky Wilson, Future150 (3:56 PM CT, Mon May 11, 2015)

Birmingham, AL (Future150) -- The Future150 Main Event Birmingham featured some of the most young talent in the Southeast.  Teams from 11 different states came in to compete and looking to make their name on the national radar.

The Memphis Impact took home the championship with a big win over ABC Select, 58-43.  Shooting guard Rodney Mason Jr. of Memphis Impact takes home MVP honors after a big performance in the championship game.  

Mason Jr. is a very active wing that plays hard on both ends of the floor.  He has long arms that he makes useful on offense and defense with rebounds and put backs.  Rodney easily averaged a double-double this weekend.

PF Rongie Gordon- Montgomery Fire

He is a very talented PF that displayed a lot of different things this past weekend which some were his ability to defensively rebound and get the ball out to the wing and run the floor. He has a pretty good IQ for his age and knows how to get his self in position on the floor to score. Also he is a great finisher around rim

PF Antwan Burnette- Montgomery Fire Orange

Burnette is big body kid who rebounds the ball on both ends well. He has a nice face up game and knows how to use the ball screen to cause match-up problems for the opposing team and he can get the job done on both ends of the court.

PG Issac Smith- Memphis Impact

Smith is a quick and smart SG that knows how to score the ball. He use the whole floor and understand spacing well, which gives the ability to make the defense stretch out and he can create his own shot. This past weekend is was hard for other teams to stop him is transitions and when they did he utilized his 2-man game options..

PF Reginald Perry- Bledsoe's Ice

Perry was one of the more impressive post/forwards we saw in the 13U division.  At 6-foot-4 inches and about 200 pounds, he is a force to be reconned with.  He does most of his damage on the low block and off offensive rebound put backs.  He has a nice touch from 12 ft and is a really good at making free throws.  If he keeps growing and his body starts to take a basketball players shape look out.

PF Emmerick Simon- Louisiana Rockets 

Simon is a beast around the basket.  He runs the floor well and loves attacking the rim on the fast break.  He does most of his damage when getting offensive rebounds and put backs.  The one trait you can't teach is how hard he plays on both ends of the floor. He's very coachable and with his skill set increasing so will his game over time.

PG Jaylon Saulsberry- Memphis Impact: 

Jaylon’s a big point-guard that can score in a variety of ways.  His size at the position made it hard for opponents to keep him out of the lane.  He has good court vision and loves scoring on the fast break.  Gotta love how hard he plays and fits for everything he gets.

PF Zyan Green- MC Warriors: 

Zyan’s an athletic big man that can run the floor like a guard.  He used his athleticism to dominate the boards as well as alter and block shots.  He finished well with both hands under the basket with contact.  Zyan has a chance to be one of the best prospects in the state of Alabama

PG Rodrique Ruffin- Jackson Lakers Elite

Ruffin is a do it all point guard and someone every coach wants on his team. He show good handles and excellent court vision.  He proved he can score on all three levels which he did against the Fire where he scored 21 points in a tough loss.  He’s definitely a player you want the ball in his hands.

PG Donald Ghostone - ABC Select 

Ghostone was the tallest point guard we saw in the 13U division at 6-foot-4 inches and long.  His handles were on point and was able to see over defense when breaking the press.  His shot making ability is what really stood out this past weekend.  He made big shots down the stretch that got his team into the championship game.

SF Willie Screws- Drem Team Xpress

Screws is a 6-foot-2 inch do it all type player who is the heart and sole of his team. He can play both inside and out.  He was most effective taking his defender down to the block where he scored at will.  When you talk about a player who loves to compete, Screws picture shows up in the google search engine. Team Leder. 

PF Jeremias Williams- Montgomery Fire White

Williams made his living in the paint all weekend long.  His favorite was to score is the rebound put back.  He is a good rebounder on both ends and runs the floor well for a player his size.  As his ball handling improves look for him to make the jump to the wing.  He scored 20 points in a tough loss to the Memphis Impact where he led the team in scoring.

PF Zeke Garrett- Elite Squad

Garrett is one of the more intriguing young prospects we saw this past weekend. At 6-foot-6 inches tall with long arms and the ability to run the floor, his upside is tremendous.  You don’t see a player his size and athletic ability very often.  He scored mainly in the paint and imposed his will at times.  Look for him to make a jump into the national rankings next update.

PF Tyrrie Ragland- Elite Squad

Ragland was one of the more polished players we saw this past weekend.  At 6-foot-1 inches with a big bruising body, this smooth lefty scored in the low post at will.  He also showed flashes of being able to play the wing position by make a few outside shots.  He also could creep in the national rankings when the next update occurs.

PG Paul Stramaglia- Dream Team Xpress

Stramaglia is a pass first type point guard who is really crafty with the ball in his hands.  He has great court vision and uses the dribble to break down the defense and create easy opportunities for his teammates.  If you leave him open he can bury the 3-ball as well.  Look for him to be in the national rankings next update.  Love the upside to his game.

PG Gerald Doakes – ABC Select

Doakes is a big point guard who loves getting out and run on the fast break.  He likes to attack the rim in the half court and can finish through contact.  He’s definitely someone you want to have the ball in his hands due to he can create for others.  If you leave him open he proved he can make the 3-point shot.