Zachary Lyon:
Future150 Regional Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball: NC, SC & VA
Houston, TX (Future150) -- Future150 was in Houston, Texas on Memorial Day weekend hosting the annual Memorial Day Classic Tournament. Tons of teams from several different states were on hand showcasing their talents.
The Texas Jazz Elite defeated the Arkansas Wolves in the championship game 73-70. Both had great weekends and their players played extremely well.
Here are the top performers from the 17U division:
Tim Samuel, 2017 SF (Brazoria Ballers Elite) - Samuel may have had the best weekend out of the entire 17U division. He basically did it all leading his teams to huge wins over Adidas sponsored teams Texas Pro, and Basketball University. He can score from all three levels and is an absolute killer on the boards even though he’s just 6’5. He can create his own shot off the bounce and is a high percentage foul shooter. There really wasn’t anything defenses could do to stop Samuel this weekend. He is currently receiving interest from Lamar, and Navy along with a few D2 schools. This should change very soon as Samuel seems to be a clear cut low major D1 basketball player with plenty of upside.
Myles Hoover, 2017 SG (Boom City Hornets) - Hoover stands at just under six foot but kills opposing guards on the boards. His quick, crafty handles allow him to get into the lane and get the other team in foul trouble. Very competitive player that is willing to do whatever to get his team the dub.
Cole Armstrong, 2018 PG (Brazoria Ballers Elite) - Despite playing up, Armstrong showed great poise and control as the Ballers floor general over the weekend. He didn’t score too much but played solid defense and was always communicating. If Armstrong can grow a few more inches and fill out some more of his scoring abilities, he could be a D1 player in the future.
Angus Montoute, 2017 CF (StriveNation) - Montoute was one of the strongest players in the 17U division. Even though he stands just barely under 6’2, Montoute rebounded and finished inside with ease like he was six or seven inches taller than what he really is. A JUCO or NAIA program would love to have a hardworking, gritty prospect like Montoute.
Ethan Bowman, 2017 SG (Arkansas Wolves) - A pure three point shooter, Bowman put up good numbers in the scoring column all weekend. At 6’4 he has good size for the two guard at the next level, and definitely has the scoring prowess. Bowman deserves some looks from some D2 programs and any low major D1 programs looking for a pure scorer/shooter with good size and strength.
Miles Gaspard, 2016 CG (Imperial Hoops) - Gaspard was electric when he had the ball in his hands this past weekend. He was always making smart plays and creating for himself. His ball-handling and overall competitiveness was very fun to watch. At 6’2 he has decent size for a guard, and any NAIA or JUCO program still looking for a guard should give Gaspard a hard look.
Shaquille Barrett, 2016 CG (Hoop Nation Family) - Barrett was easily one of the most athletic guards in the 17U division as he threw down some pretty nasty dunks in transition. Barrett also impressed with his flashy handles, and ability to score in bunches. During some of his games there really didn’t seem like a way to stop this guy. Another unsigned senior that certainly deserves some hard looks from NAIA and JUCO programs.
Trevion Flowers, 2017 PG (College Station Regulators) - Flowers is one of those guys that you would love to have running your team because you know he’s going to do just that. All weekend long Flowers controlled the pace of the game, and kept the defense on their toes. Many people see Flowers as a SG with his good scoring abilities, but he certainly has potential to play both at the next level.
Bryce Woodson, 2017 F/C (Basketball University Black) - Despite being just 6’5, Woodson showed dominance down low this weekend. His strong frame allowed him to grab plenty of offensive boards and back down bigger opponents all the way to the rim. If Woodson grows another two to three inches he could certainly play college basketball at the D1 level. For now he projects to be a very solid D2 or D3 prospect.
Cory Wilheim, 2016 PF (Arkansas Wolves) - Wilheim is 6-foot-7 inches and a beast in the paint. He was blocking shots and rebounding all weekend long. He plays with a ton of energy and chased down loose ball after loose ball to give his team second chance points. He showed nice foot work and the ability to score with either hand around the rim. He has a 32 ACT score which is something you just don't see these days from a play with his abilities.
Dakota Arriola, 2017 PG (R2TO Elite) - Arriola was quite impressive with his court vision and finishing abilities in transition. He knows how to run the pick and roll offense well, and is capable of knocking down the long ball when left open. He loved to get into his opponents grill on defense, and had good leadership qualities. Arriola should be playing college ball at some level very soon.
Justin Moore, 2017 SG (Hoops Elite) - Moore scored the basketball at will this weekend, getting buckets from all three levels. His three point jumper was deadly, and he was just as much of a threat to slash the lane and draw fouls. If the game is on the line and you need points in a hurry, Moore is certainly a good option to have.
Malik Louison, 2017 G/F (Texas Jazz Elite) - Louison certainly showcased all skills in a positive way this past weekend. His versatility was on display as he can play the one through three with his good size, ball-handling, and scoring abilities. Easily one of the best overall players in the 17U division. Looks like he could be a big time D2 prospect with some D1 upside to his game.
Kenta White, 2017 CG (Mo City Ballers) - An electric scorer, White helped lead his team to wins all weekend. He has the ability to drain jumpers from three point and mid-range, and he can do it off the bounce or the catch. White is a special offensive weapon and team leader that had a solid weekend for Mo City.
Jalil Finch, 2018 PG (Sleeperzz) - Finch showcased his good ball-handling and court vision this weekend at the MDC. Just a sophomore, Finch handled himself quite well playing up an age group. If he can hit a growth spurt and continue working on his defense, he could be a very solid floor general.
Brenden Wenzel, 2017 SG (SA Finest) - Wenzel may have been the best three point shooter in the entire 17U division. His release is ridiculously quick and his range reaches out to three to five feet from beyond the three point line. He was crushing teams with his high percentage shooting, and even when someone got a hand in his face, it didn't seem to matter too much.
Darius Mickens, 2018 SG (Texas PRO) - Mickens has a very mature game and rarely makes mistakes. His defense is very stingy and he can get under his opponents skin and cause turnovers in a hurry. He really scored the ball in buches and spurts and always kept the defense guessing. Very solid weekend for what looks to be a D1 prospect.
Golden Amadi, 2017 PG (Urban Kings) - Even though Amadi is well under six foot, he plays very big and strong and isn't afraid of any contact. He put up some very good numbers during pool and bracket play. He has the abilities to score from all three levels, but is at his best when he's slashing the lane and creating for others. Amadi is someone to keep an eye on as he could be a late blooming prospect heading into his senior season.
Evan Collier, 2017 SF (Texas Inferno Elite) - Collier has decent size for the wing at 6'5 and runs the floor extremely well. He rebounded the ball quite well and showed off his mid-range game, along with being able to put the ball on the floor and take it to the basket. If Collier rounds out a more complete offensive skill set, and shoots up a few more inches, he could work his way into being a college prospect.
Donald Doakes, 2017 SG (FYN All-Stars) - A nice sized two-guard, Doakes is a very good on-ball defender and could finish at the rim in transition. He needs to become more consistent with his jumper and continue to work on finishing through contact to reach his potential. Overall, a very good showing for Doakes this weekend. Has potential to play at the next level.
Javoni Sowell, 2017 CF (Texas Future) - Sowell is a 6'6 combo that can truly play both forward positions. He rebounds and finishes around the rim like a four man, but he can also step out beyond the three point line and drain the deep ball. If Sowell continues to grow and develop, he could definitely earn a scholarship to play college ball somewhere. Versatile, athletic, wing forward that really has a good feel for the game.
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