Brian Flinn:
Future150 National Recruiting Analyst. Covering high school basketball nationally.
Houston, TX (Future150) -- The inaugural Future150 Final Four Weekend tournament kicked off this weekend, with a number of talent prospects playing their way onto the radar.
The 17U division showcased a number of players who will be certainly be ones to keep an eye on moving forward. In the gold division, it was Terrion Miller and Elevation Sports that took home the title, winning 56-27. Miller is a talented big man with face-up four abilities and a powerful frame, no team was able to truly match up with him one-on-one. He scored on all three levels and is his length was a problem for the players he defended.
In the silver bracket, it was Xpress Sports that triumphed, 52-27 over the MG Ballers. Larry Moton had a big impact.
Meanwhile, in the bronze bracket, it was Hyperfuse that took home the crown, winning 54-46 over Hoop Nation. Point guard Tyler Dawson led the way with his three point shooting and play making ability. He overall tenacity on the court made him tough to stop. All he did was make play after play and lead his team to victory.
A number of other players stood out as well, and played their way onto the Future150 radar:
Yildon Mendoza, 2016 PF, Elevation Skills Sports: Mendoza is a big time low post threat. He has good footwork and low post moves with his back to the basket. His length allows him to alter shots and gives him a huge advantage when rebounding the ball. One of his best weapons is his mid range jumper. He is extremely fundamental and has a high basketball IQ.
Thomas Bello, 2017 PG, Coast 2 Coast: Bello has a good first step and the quickness to guard both guard positions on the floor. His speed in the open floor makes him tough to stop and excels by scoring in transition. His ball handling allows him to get anywhere on the floor he chooses, which opens up opportunities for his teammates. He can also make the open jumper if he is left open.
Jeremy Mgbeike, 2017, Super Stars Elite: Mgbeike was one of the more consistent players at the tournament this past weekend. He never gave up on a play and competed on every play. He had 16 points & 5 rebounds in a tough loss versus Hyperfuse. Overall this versatile prospect made his team better with his all-around play.
Kameron Kelley, 2017 SF, Eastside Ballers: Kelley is a 6-foot-5 inch rebounding machine on both the offensive and defensive side of the court. His overall strength make him almost impossible to stop whenhe tried to score. His on-ball defense is very good and his athleticism allows him to guard multiple positions on the floor. He is the type of player who outworks his man more often than not.
Miles Gaspard, 2016 SG, Imperial Hoops: Gaspard is a do it all type wing player who can score in bunches. He is a team leader and is makes everyone around him better when he is on the court. He knocked down the 3 ball all weekend long and made plays to put his team in position to win their games. Solid overall performance this past weekend.
Brenden Wenzel, 2019 SG, SA Finest: Wenzel was the highlight of the 17U division and yes he is only a freshman playing up. It wasn't hard to see why. The San Antonio product was firing 3-balls from everywhere all weekend long. He hit over 5 three point baskets in 4 of his 5 games he played on the weekend. In a pool play game he put on a show willing his team back into contention by hitting 10 three points shots. His display of shooting was the best overall performance we have seen in 2016. "SNIPER"
Andres Ibalguen, 2016 PF, Elevation Skills Sports: 2016 PF, Elevation Skills Sports: Ibalguen is a big bodied post player who showed good footwork around the rim. He makes a living on rebounding on both endso of the floor. When attacking the rim he can finish with either hand and loves scoring off of offensive rebound put backs. He was definittely one of the better big men we saw all weekend long.
Freddie Ricks, 2017 G, Elevation Skills Sports Grey: Ricks is a solid defender who scores a majoirty of his points by slashing to the rim. He can also shoot it from deep when given time and space. He proved to be one of the more consistent guards Future150 saw in the 17U division. Ricks is simply a coach's dream when he sets foot on the floor
Koy Richardson, 2017 PG, TX Jazz Elite: Richardson is a big time scorer from the point guard position. He has excellent court vision in transition and in half court. His leadership and ability to control his team made him stand out from the moment he stepped on the court. He is extremely fundamental and understands how to play the game the right way. Coaches are always looking for players like Richardson.
Justice Blackburn, 2016 SG, Hoop Nation: Blackburn is a power wing player who likes to use his body when attacking the rim. He is a great rebounder on both ends and loves scoring in transition. At times he uses his quickness to break down his defenders and loves drawing contact. He's one of those player every coach wants on his team due to know exactly what you get every game.
Larry Moton, 2018 SG, Xpress Sports: Moton was the best pure scorer we saw in the 17U division. He has a nice frame and his athleticsim shows when he is in attack mode. He can score on all three levels and loves stroking the 3-ball. He single handily took over games at times to propel his team to the silver bracket championship. If your looking for a all around scoring guard coaches look no further Moton is your guy.
Trevarius Johnson, 2016 PG, Imperial Hoops: Johnson is a pass first lead guard who displayed really good vision especially in the half court. He is quick enought to create good opportunities off the bounce for his teammates. If you leave him open he can knock down open jumpers. His on ball defense caused havoc for the player he was guarding all weekend long. Overall a solid performance.
Ty-Anthony Dick, 2017 SG, Urban Kings: Dick is a long and athletic guard prospect who can really finish above the rim. He is also able to finish through contact thanks to his athleticism. He is more than just an athlete though, as he showcased a very good feel for the game, as well as good vision in the open floor.
Jalen King, 2017 PF, Elevation Sports: King is a big body who runs the floor very well and can attack from the high post. His length allows him to block a number of shots. The next step will be bulking up and improving his low post offense.
Josh Berry, 2017 PF, Hyperfuse: Berry is a hard playing big man who is also fundamentally sound. Berry really showcased an ability to protect the rim thanks to his athleticism and shot blocking ability. His ability to finish at the rim made him a tough guard. The mid range jumper is something we slowly saw him work on over the course of the weekend. He must improve as an offensive threat.
Anges Montoute, 2017 SF, Strive Nation: Montoute was a very good defensive player and slasher throughout the weekend. He also rebounded the ball very well and knocked down a number of tough shots. When you think about the type of player that every coach wants on his team, look no further. Solid performance this past weekend.
Mason Wilkins, 2017 SF, MG Ballers: Wilkins is a very good shooter who has division one size for a perimeter player. His ball-handling will need to be improved, but Wilkins innate scoring ability made him a dangerous player to guard. Once he becomes more consistent, look out.
Trey Farley, 2017 SF, Texas Elite D1B: Farley has a nice frame and is extremely strong player. At 6-foot-4 inches and 225 pounds, he likes imposing his will on weaker players. His athleticism allows him to play and guard multiple positions. For a player his size, he finishes well around the rim by being crafty and extremely fundamental when attacking his defender. He has a high basketball IQ, which he uses to his advantage.
Isaiah Babulola, 2017 CG, TX Inferno: Babulola is a phyiscal guard that plays hard on both ends of the floor. He was able to display his scoring ability with mid-range jump shots as well attacking the rim. He is a aggressive lockdown defender in the open and half court, and he uses his size and length to his advantage to stop players from attacking the rim and scoring off the dribble.
Noah Vasquez, 2017 G/F, Eastside Ballers: Vasquez is a big guard that is highly skilled. He plays very smart and knows how to score the ball on all levels. Vasquez has a very soft touch and because of that, he shoots the ball very smoothly. He changes speed incredibly well and uses his basketball IQ to beat his man.
Terrell Lewis, 2017 SG, Louisana Rockets: Lewis a heady guard that is built solidly. He plays above the rim and scored the ball on all three levels on Easter weekend. It is clear that he has worked on becoming more explosive and tougher, both of which served him well.
Kevin Nickleberry, 2017 SG, Urban Kings: Nickleberry is a very explosive guard that can score that ball at any time. He shoots and handles the ball very well, and he is very dangerous when he is off the ball because of his ability to score of screens. Small colleges are going to want to pay attention to this wing.
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