Eric Hampford:
Future150 GM / Senior National Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball.
Houston, TX (Future150) -- Team Texas-Houston took home the title in the 17U Gold Championship game, defeating a powerful 210 Jayhawks team based out of San Antonio. The enforcer for Team Texas was 6-foot-9 unsigned senior Torrell Sutton, who dunked everything he got his hands on last weekend. He also disrupted shots the entire tournament, ran the floor well, and rebounded the ball on both ends of the floor.
Point guard Brandon Joseph was also instrumental for the winning team, showing his ability to be a set-up man as well as a scorer. The 2015 Humble (TX) guard looks ready for a big spring on the AAU circuit.
In the 17U Silver Championship, the East Texas Ballers held on to beat the Bay Area Blazers by a score of 71-65. The catalyst for the winning team was 2015 SG Trey Conrod, who scored 15 points. The 6-foot-4 wing was a hidden gem we found this weekend, one who should see his recruitment heat up this coming AAU season. He has a college-ready frame right now, and can score the basketball on all three levels.
In a losing effort, 2016 PG Payton Barnes displayed his next-level court vision and passing skills. He is an excellent leader on the floor and has consistently improved over the past two years.
Oklahoma Impact took home the 17U Bronze championship behind a strong effort from 2015 Wewoka (OK) wing Kelly Kemp. He is more prospect than player at this point, but the 6’5’’ wing looks like he could be a monster down the road. He did a good job of being active and attacking the rim and scored from the perimeter as well. If he develops a killer instinct, he will be a major problem.
Other standouts from the weekend...
JaMichael Brown, 2015 PG, 210 Jayhawks: Perhaps the most impressive prospect of the entire weekend, the 6-foot-1 junior point man was impossible to stay in front of, using a lethal first step to get to the basket at will. His ability to finish around the rim in traffic was also impressive, and he made his mark by helping to carry the 210 Jayhawks to the gold brack semi-finals, where he scored 23 points in a 70-65 loss to eventual champion Team Texas-Houston. It is also worth noting that he knocked down 8-10 free throws during the game. He already holds interest from several low-major and mid-major programs.
A.J. Cockrell, 2015 PF, Oklahoma Impact: The 6-foot-8 big man is an athletic and mobile post who is very fluid running the floor. He has a nose for the ball and can score around the rim with ease, especially on put-back opportunities. The Tulsa Memorial (OK) product already holds a South Dakota offer, and will likely garner interest from several other low-major programs this spring on the circuit.
Tony Lewis, 2015 PF, 210 Jayhawks: A loss in the 17U Gold Championship game didn't take the shine off of the 6'9" Lewis, who already holds offers from Texas A&M, Kansas State, Boise State, and others. He is a skilled post prospect with excellent footwork and moves around the rim. He is very mobile for his size and runs the floor well also. Big summer ahead for the San Antonio Central Catholic (TX) prospect.
DaQuan Jeffries, 2015 SG, Oklahoma Impact: Perhaps the most athletic prospect in the tournament was the 6-foot-4 muscular shooting guard. He was nearly unstoppable when attacking the rim and several times finished plays with highlight-reel dunks that energized the crowd. He has a college-ready body right now, and if his jump shot improves in the next several months, he will be a high priority for division one programs.
Ian Scott, 2014 PG, Shooting Stars: The 6-foot-1 Cinco Ranch (TX) lead guard made his mark with his explosive first-step off the dribble and his ability to finish around the rim routinely last weekend. Very productive weekend for the unsigned senior prospect.
Chris Crawford, 2015 PG, Oklahoma Impact: The Victory Christian (OK) point guard was the most impressive PG in the tournament outside of JaMichael Brown. He carved apart defenses with his slashing and creating, always finding a way to score of dish to open teammates. In a last minute loss to the Houston Phenoms to send his team home, he almost single-handedly willed his team to victory, scoring 24 points.
Keondre Gibson, 2014 PF, Pearland Elite: The Thurgood Marshall (TX) 6-foot-8 big man is another unsigned senior who had a solid weekend showing, doing chin-ups on the rim using his explosive athleticism and long arms. He runs the floor extremely well, he just needs skill work. Based on raw talent, he has the ability to make his mark at a college program in the future.
Gilbert Thomas, 2016 PF, Franchize All-Stars: The physically impressive athlete is as explosive as they come. Although he is undersized for a power forward, his athleticism and strength make him a nightmare on the glass and in transition. He is beginning to be able to put the ball on the floor more, and his face-up game is improving as well. No brainer division one talent.
Trejon Jacob, 2016 SG, Houston Rookies: Jacob literally burst onto the scene Friday night with a 27-point performance and that continued throughout the weekend. The lefty is wired to score the basketball and is very dangerous from behind the three-point line. He also understands the game very well and knows how to get his teammates involved. He is a young Houston prospect to keep an eye on in the future.
Tyrone Massicot, 2014 PG, East Side Ballers: Massicot came up huge when his team needed him the most, burying a three pointer to get them the 69-68 victory over a tough Oklahoma Impact squad. The point guard did a good job of facilitating throughout the contest as well.
Amir Smith, 2015 PF, Clutch City: Smith is an undersized, but active forward that excels at finishing around the rim and in transition. He has good leaping ability and can face up and attack off the dribble. He helped lead his team in his Friday night and finished around the rim with a couple of highlight-reel dunks.
Karthik Reddy, 2016 SF, 210 Jayhawks: With his size and skill level, Reddy was a matchup problem for most of the teams he played against. At 6-foot-6, the point forward can play the 1-4 and be comfortable. He has a good pace and composed feel to the game, and his ability to hit shots from anywhere on the floor make him a dangerous player.
Reece Spencer, 2017 SG, Porter Warriors: Another player that could hit shots from anywhere was Reece Spencer. The 6-foot freshman played amongst the older players and his game blended in. He was very smart with the ball and picked his spots, but he knows how to score and get his shot off, whether it is coming off screens or moving without the ball.
John Coakley, 2015 SG, FYN All-Stars: Hitting shots make the game game easier, and that is exactly what Coakley did throughout the weekend. The 6-foot-3 shooter was automatic from downtown and help set the tone for his team. However, he also knows how to play and is an extension of the coach on the court. He will be a valuable piece for an NAIA level school.
Julian Powell, 2015 SF, East Side Ballers: Coming off a torn ACL, Powell showed flashes of being a special player. The 6-foot-7 combo forward did a great job of getting to the rim and finishing in traffic. On the defensive end, he did a nice job of blocking shots and causing havoc on defense.
Mahdi Shabazz, 2014 SG, Team Stackz: Shabazz made the most of his night as an unsigned senior. The 6-foot-5 wing man was a playmaker on the offensive end. He was crafty and performed well in the mid-range, whether it was slashing and scoring or making plays for others. He plans to visit Oklahoma Wesleyan soon, but Shabazz is definitely one to look at as a D2/NAIA player coming down the stretch.
Josh Campbell, 2016 SG, Mustangs: The forward had a big weekend for his Mustangs team, showing his ability to be a big time scorer. He had games of 27 and 22 points over the weekend. Look for him to become a big contributor on the AAU circuit this spring and summer.
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