Future150 MDC Houston: 16U Top Performers
by Andrew Force, Future150 (3:27 PM CT, Fri May 29, 2015)

Houston, TX (Future150) -- Corbin Osby contributed to this report.

The 16u Gold Championship of the Memorial Day Classic Houston pitted teams from neighboring states.  Oklahoma Rebels versus the Arkansas Spartans Elite.   

Late in the first half Dajuan Ridgeway dialed in from distance twice.  The quick pair opened up a gap that Deion Dobbins only pried wider, 28-19.   Ridgeway gave a tight unnatural spin dribble into a floater, which made the contest, 30-19. The Rebels chipped away and entered halftime down, 36-33. 

The Spartans didn't realize they had already let their opportunity slip away.  In case they needed to be thumped over the head to come to that realization Tyreece Berry provided the hammer.  Berry knocked down 16 points in 16 minutes to close out the Spartans of Arkansas.  Final Score: Rebels 79, Spartans 71.

Semifinals

Three teams really separated themselves from the pack during pool play Saturday morning.  By nighttime it was clear Arkansas Spartans Elite, Oklahoma Rebels, and Basketball University Black vied for toughest team.  

The toughest junkyard scrap took place in the semifinals when Spartans Elite (4-1) clawed with Basketball University Black (4-1).  Reandre Clark toppled the mighty BU Black with a game-winning three pointer.  Miller Kopp, Trajan Wesley, and Derrick Herrick fought hard until the horn.  Still the Rebels moved on, 63-61.  

Top Performers

Dajuan Ridgeway, 2017 PG, Arkansas Spartans Elite: A lot of guards are talented.  Ridgeway adds another dimension with his court awareness. Passes from Ridgeway are a little more precise.  He knows how to bait defenders.  A small tinkering with his mid-range game could help.  The floater looks good, but he might establish a couple more options from ten feet.  

Chris Williams, 2017 PF, Arkansas Spartans Elite: Power.  Williams pummeling strength gave rivals fits game after game.  Offensive rebounds are constant.  Williams would have made All-Tournament Team in the frontcourt despite his height disadvantage.  For college power forward Williams is woefully undersized at 6’2”.  He will have to make the transition to wing in order to see his recruitment rise more.  The warrior will stay in every fight.

Tyreece Berry, 2017 PG, Oklahoma Rebels: When the game got hottest Berry torched the nets.  In the 16u title game Berry dropped 27 points on 7-11  3pt shooting to earn Championship Game MVP.  In addition to converting gobs of triples Berry locked up on the perimeter.  He projects as an NAIA option, especially because of his shooting skills.  Looking down the line the monster rebounding and sporadic post defending by Berry will be a moot point.  All it shows is that he competes in every situation he enters no matter how dire.

Marcellus Monroe, 2017 SG, RL9 Elite: Monroe is athletic, quick, and rebounds well from the wing position.  He has a nice 1 and 2 dribble pull up mid-range game.  He has a good feel and knows how to find his spots on the floor.  The one thing he did really well all weekend long was score the ball from all three levels.  Definitely one of the better defenders on his team. Gotta love his competitive nature and will to win.

Miller Kopp, 2018 SG, Basketball University Black: Do not be fooled by the pleasant, calm face of Miller.  The dude is a lethal scorer who desperately wants to win.  His competitive spirit hides behind the mask of relaxation. His step back and one dribble pull up jumper stood out the most this past weekend. Kopp can shoot it from all the floor and loves taking advantage of smaller players guarding him. Look for his July to be special since Kopp was forced to miss April LIVE period with an injury.

Trajan Wesley, 2018 PG, Basketball University Black: Wesley took the game to a then undefeated NW Cougars team by scoring 20 points.  Like any complete player Wesley works hard on the defensive end.  The team and Wesley would benefit from Wesley working harder to get to the dangerous areas like along the baseline and in the paint.

Burke Putnam, 2017 SG, Oklahoma Rebels: No 16u guard came close to matching Putnam’s 24-point explosion.  The long-legged guard finished with both hands.  Putnam is a gym rat.  While many players eagerly scram in between their games Putnam constantly watches basketball.  He has absorbed so many miniscule details that quietly emerge in his probing movements.  The springy guard incorporates elaborate moves in quick succession.  He keeps guards guessing as he changes directions.  He probably can, but he didn't finish much with the left hand.  Maybe this minor adjustment can broaden his already exceptional game.  After establishing his prowess, Putnam was double teamed relentlessly.  He wisely found the open man. After leading his team to a championship, Burke takes home MVP honors for the 16U division.

Taylor Hunter, 2017 SF, Oklahoma Rebels:  As a bouncy wing, Hunter can be lured into jumping when he should slide the feet.  Offensively, Hunter uses his hops for good not evil by attacking the glass Hunter did bite on a couple pump fakes. 

Jubilee Akputa, 2017 C, Basketball University Red: BU Red consistently got crisp outlet passes from Akputa.  He is a decent defensive rebounder.  One criticism: Akputa needs to identify how he scores best.  His offensive game needs more direction.  He has to get a move he can rely upon in crunch time.

Kendrick Jones, 2017 PF, Urban Kings:  The Kings don’t have a tall team, so Jones plays power forward.  He is able to do this because he jumps amazingly high for rebounds.  Jones’ block Sunday morning was described by an impartial observer as an NBA Street block.  It was incredible.  The forward flew into the picture from seemingly out of nowhere to deny. 

Myles Hoover, 2018 SG, Boom City Hornets: Hoover buried a few jumpers Saturday to help his Boom City Hornets against Hyperfuse. The team collected 10 from Myles in the first half facing BC Flight, mostly from the perimeter.  

Deion Dobbins, 2017 SF, Arkansas Spartans Elite: Deion Dobbins is a massively athletic forward.  With pogo sticks for legs Dobbins pokes everything.   North Little Rock has quite a reputation for producing explosive players.  Look for junior-to-be Dobbins to fit be the next in line.  Dobbins rebounds almost a foot above his peers.  It is absurd.  As a long and lean forward he will need to bulk up for the next level.  Improved outside shooting would make him a complete player.

B.J. Walker, 2017 SG, Arkansas Spartans Elite: Like Dobbins, Walker soars with ease.  His 16-point second half vaulted the Spartans to a Gold Semifinal win.  He scored 12 of those points in less than four minutes.  Walker tracks back even in the halfcourt setting to help defend.  Rarely does he get beat off the dribble, but just getting past him is not very comforting.  Walker fights until the ball drops through the net.  And then he instantly prods his team to get those points back.  Walker has the kind of guard mentality that wins college games in March.  Judging purely by this weekend he has the refined talent needed too.

Kamron Brasfield, 2017 PG, Arkansas Spartans Elite: At 5’8” Brasfield will always have to fight for respect.  His teammates and coaches know his value.  It is clear why he plays so many minutes.  He skips through the defense at the same time he is evaluating potential passing lanes.  The ball and the offense are safe in his hands.  At this point in his career Brasfield is a streaky outside shooter, but the mechanics are good.  Monday morning the streak was special.

Damonza Byrd, 2017 SG, Anthony Goldwire Elite: Byrd scored every way imagineable.  In fact, he gave Gold Bracket runner-up Arkansas Spartans Elite 28 points.  Damonza's outside touch was particularly remarkable.  Byrd will usually be a smaller guard at the college level.  To compensate he needs to be a tank physically.

Daniel Salvador, 2017 PG, Anthony Goldwire Elite: Paired in the backcourt with Byrd was Salvador.  They also compete together for Kempber High in Sugar Land, Texas.  Salvador does his damage in traffic.  When he is at his best he probes and draws fouls.  Free throws are automatic.  Salvador can improve as a defender in pressing situations.

Deandre Lockett, 2018 C, Boom City Hornets: Of all the Hornets on Boom City, Lockett has the most upside.  He stands 6’2” and projects as a combo forward pending a final growth spurt.  He moves from block to block well.  On defense he blocks shots and offensively he sets screens and rolls with a hand high.  Lockett’s future will be largely dictated by his height.  Regardless he is a nice player at the 16u level now.  Thankfully Lockett contributes double figures every game.  The Hornets can go through a dry patch from time to time. 

Garrett Scott, 2018 PF, Shooting Stars Blue: Scott displayed the greatest comprehension of low post basketball all weekend.  He knows how to back down his man before the ball arrives.  Establishing low helped Scott generate easy offense.  Scott suffered an ankle injury that kept him out of the Shooting Stars deep tournament run.

Jayvon Sweet, 2017 SF, Shooting Stars Blue: Sweet plays with great energy.  He exhibits his high motor every single game.  When the basketball comes off the rim Sweet is usually nearby.  Even if the ball is not deservedly his, Sweet throws his body into the mix.  In addition to the energy Sweet gives Shooting Stars Blue a soft floater.  He likes to operate on the low blocks at 6’1”.  It takes work, but his low base enables him to fend off bigger players.

Rex Hollins, 2017 SG, MG Ballers: Hollins was the most poised guard in attendance, regardless of age group.  He plays with a bizarre calmness.  Clearly Hollins has played against top competition for years.  He can fake out most players, but needs to improve his straight-line speed.  It will help him create space once Hollins gets the defender on his hip.

Xzavier Pickens, 2018 PG, MG Ballers:  It was a joy to watch Pickens work in the halfcourt.  He featured a wide array of tricky moves and bravely gave up his body to make difficult shots in the lane.

Parrish Pierre, 2017 C, Texas Future Basketball: His physical toughness needs to match his mental toughness. Pierre will be a more foreboding presence when his arms are bigger and more powerful. The 6’7” center will be given every opportunity.  Though gangly, Pierre blocks shots well.  He works hard when rebounds rattle around the limbs.  He doesn't have the lower body strength to block out effectively.  And Pierre does tend to get bodied off his post position. 

Courtland Pender, 2017 PG, Texas Future Basketball: With Pender the Texas Future squad has a real gamer.  They can count on Pender to really challenge the point guard.  Finding a target can be immeasurably more difficult when you have a bee buzzing around your chest.  Pender is that bee and breaking him down takes genuine effort.  He can shoot too.  The 5’9” scorer needs to make his teammates even better.  Too often young guards demonstrate the ability to find their own points and get good looks.  The mark of a great guard is to create great looks for a teammate.

Joshua Dean, 2018 PG, Hybrid Hoops: Dean is strong on the ball.  He doesn't let creeping defenders near him.  The shoulder strength helps Dean fend off defenders.  He could accelerate a little faster.  Hybrid Hoops head Coach Reggie Johnson gives him the point from time to time.  There are a few other lead guards on the team though.  When Dean does try to get to the basket he does well.  Unfortunately, it seems like he defers a little too often. 

Jordan Prince, 2017 SG, BC Flight: Jordan has a little pizzazz to his game.  There are some slippery moves and difficult jump shots each time he takes the court.  Prince does not draw fouls, which is a shame considering his impressive free throw touch.  Facing Boom City, Prince recorded 16 points (4-6 from 3-pt land). During the winters Prince competes with Atascocita High School in Humble, Texas.  No matter who he plays for Prince is a volume scorer with range.

Kevin Dawson, 2017 SG, BC Flight: Dawson moves well off the ball. BC Flight leaned on his consistent shooting all weekend. He pairs well with another combo guard. Dawson buried a 25-foot halftime buzzer beater to virtually assure BC Flight of a 16u Silver Championship Game appearance with the Urban Kings.  Down the line Dawson will be forced to prove he can drive around defenders.  If he doesn't teams will simply over-commit to his jumper, which is impressive.

Reid Barker, 2017 SG, BC Flight: Barker proved to be a good catch-and-shoot player.  He needs to improve his mobility.  For now Barker can hit the open jumper and help ring up points.

Tevin Morgan, 2017 PG, TX Elite Adidas: Morgan is a big-bodied PG that can play the SG position.  Because he works well on and off the ball he has that attractive versatility. He is the type of PG that knows when he needs to be on the ball, which makes him hard to play. This past weekend he put on a shooting demo.  Morgan capably shoots the mid-range jump shot in any situation.  His IQ is off the charts along with his size and skill ability college coaches will be contacting him very soon.

Luke Cox, 2018 SG, TX Elite Adidas: Cox is a knock down shooter that utilizes the whole floor. He causes match up problems because he can score the ball in just about any situation.  He makes the defense chase him by using different routes off screens.  This wears down the defense, one player at a time.

Lance Wright, 2017 SF, TX Elite Adidas: With his nice, strong frame, Wright has a nice mid-range game to go along with ability to stretch the floor offensively.  He rebounds the ball extremely well and and also runs the floor and gets out ahead of the opposing team in transition, which is something college coaches look for in forwards with his size.