Jr. Dallas Future150 Camp: Backcourt Talent Excels
by Spencer Pulliam, Future150 (3:46 PM CT, Fri March 14, 2014)

Dallas, TX (Future150) -- There was a lot to like in the gym at Triple A Academy this past weekend, as the Jr. Dallas Future150 Camp invaded Texas, and young players from across the region put their talents on display.

The backcourt prospects from the Class of 2018 were among the talk of the event, as guards dominated the rosters for both the Top 20 and Top 40 All-Star Games to conclude the camp.

Following our review of the top 5 backcourt prospects, JrFuture150.com also selected ten more guards worth of recognition based on their performance at the event.

Below is a rundown of prospects sure to garner attention on the circuit that began their travel season at the Jr. Dallas Future150 Camp.

Jordan Cox, 2018 CG, Air Max Elite: Cox has spurted several inches and expanded his game in a matter of a few short months. He remains comfortable handling the ball, and did a nice job of getting in the lane, and finishing at the rim during the Jr. Dallas Future150 Camp. While his overall skillset, particularly his jump shot, is a work in progress, he did show flashes of versatility on the defensive end, and competed throughout the event. As Cox continues to mature physically, his confidence should also be expected to improve.

Roderick Gaines, 2018 SG, Texas Select: Gaines is a talented scorer that also showed some playmaking ability at the Jr. Dallas Future150 Camp. He's a confident ball-handler in the halfcourt, gets his shot off quickly, and can finish in the lane. A hardworking guard that should only improve, this isn't the last time his name will be spoken.

Montre Gibson, 2018 SG, Texas Select: Gibson is a 'glue guy' in every sense of the word. He's strong, with a nose for the ball, and places winning over his own numbers. Those characteristics were revealed at the Jr. Dallas Future150 Camp setting, and Gibson is even more valuable in a team setting. While there may not be a 'wow factor', he's the type of player coaches want on their roster, and his game grows on you quickly.

Kolby Gipson, 2018 PG, Oklahoma Thunder: Overall, Gipson's first impression was promising. The combo guard has good size and athleticism at this stage and was one of the better backcourt performers at the Jr. Dallas Future150 Camp. His floor vision was solid, he looked comfortable putting the ball on the floor in the halfcourt, and he showed an intriguing middle game that should continue to develop.

Marqualan Grant, 2018 SG, Texas Select: Grant used the Jr. Dallas Future150 Camp as his own personal shooting exhibition. His stroke was on display from the start of station work until the conclusion of the All-Star Game and the result was him garnering the title of the event's best marksman. Grant is a weapon on the floor but will need to continue working on his conditioning and athleticism to have an impact at both ends of the court.

Diego Gray, 2018 SG, Team Impact: Gray put his sweet shooting stroke on display at the Jr. Dallas Future150 Camp. He gets great elevation on his jumper and knocked down shots off the catch and off the bounce throughout the weekend. He can put the ball on the floor in the halfcourt and proved to be a crafty finisher at the rim as well. Concern about his physical upside is legitimate, but his quickness and athleticism are adequate, and he's very effective at this stage.

Paxton Ragsdale, 2018 SG, Flight Select: Ragsdale was one of the biggest surprises at the Jr. Dallas Future150 Camp. A versatile backcourt prospect that should stretch out several more inches, he embraced the physical nature of the event, and showed a variety of skills. He's coachable and appears to have the work ethic necessary to raise his game to the next level. He'll need to tighten his handle but Ragsdale was one of the few guards in attendance that impacted play without the ball in his hands.

Noah Rodriguez, 2018 SG, San Antonio’s Finest: Rodriguez put his scoring prowess on display at the Jr. Dallas Future150 Camp. He's comfortable creating offense in a halfcourt setting and demonstrated both vision and passing ability when given time and space. He'll need to adjust to the speed of the game at next level and polish his ball-handling ability under pressure. Still, Rodriguez is a deceptive athlete, and knows how to play the game.

Marquis Smith, 2018 PG, Team Impact: Smith is a quick-footed combo guard and showed off a nice burst and the ability to separate from defenders during the Jr. Dallas Future150 Camp. His handle allows him to get places on the floor, and when he's balanced and doesn't over-penetrate, he's capable of making plays in the lane. It's likely he'll end up a primary ball-handler but the lead guard took on a scoring role at times on this particular weekend.

D.J. Sims, 2018 PG, Oklahoma Elite: Sims has developed quite an early reputation in Oklahoma and had a solid performance at the Jr. Dallas Future150 Camp. He's confident with his handle and is shifty off the bounce. The type of prospect that excels in a team setting, his playmaking abilities should improve as he develops confidence with his jumper.