Jason Pratt:
Future150 Senior Recruiting Analyst. Covering high school basketball nationally.
Birmingham, AL (Future150) -- The Future150 Birmingham Main Event was back for the 11th straight year and took place at the new Finley Center in Hoover, Alabama. The overall atmosphere was crazy and the competition was fierce as the 13U division squared off over the weekend. The tournament featured over 130 teams from eight different states, including Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Louisiana, and South Carolina.
The 13U Gold Division Championship game featured two teams that were on a collision course all tournament long. The Meridian Cougars (MS) and the Premier Express (AL) battled back and forth all game long with the Premier Express winning in the final seconds 50-48. PG John Green paced the Express with 14 Points and 5 assists while PG James Swindell III finished with 21 points and 8 rebounds in the loss.
The 13U Silver Division featured the North Alabama Stars and the Memphis Jayhawks with the NAS taking home the title 43-30 in a hard fought game. SF Carson Muse and SG Kiah Key led the way in the win.
Let's take a look at the Future150 Birmingham Main Event All-Tournament Team and the MVP on the weekend. Here is a list of the top performers from each team, as well.
13U Division MVP - James Swindell III (Meridian Cougars)
All Tournament Team:
CG John Green (Premeir Express)
PG Jaylen Samford (Premeir Express)
SG LJ Hackman (DaHouse)
PG Reggie Conner Jr. (Gulf Coast Heat)
SF Carson Muse (North Alabama Starst)
PF Toriyon Spears (Tuscaloosa Oynx)
Chad Pickett- 2023 SG, (Alabama Steel): Pickett might be small in stature but plays bigger and harder than anyone on the floor. He showed the uncanny ability to make shots off the dribble with consistency. His quick release allows him to get his shot off even when bigger players are guarding him. He did the most of his damage from behind the arc, where rhythm shots were falling for him all weekend long.
James Swindell III- 2023 PG, (Meridian Cougars): Swindell was the best all around player we saw this past weekend in the 13U division. He does everything for his team on both ends of the floor. His skill level is very high to go along with his basketball IQ, which makes all of his teammates better when he has the ball. As the coaches son, Swindell has the pressure to perform and boy does he do that in a big way, averaging over 20 points per game and 8 rebounds on the weekend. He takes home MVP honors.
Gavin Brinker- 2023 SF, (Da House) Brinker might of been on of the best all around players in the tournament. He is long, active and a good athlete. He can score on all three levels and makes it look easy when doing it. Finishing around the rim, offensive rebounding and playing great defense are three things that stood out when watching him play. Unfortunately he got hurt after the first game where he scored 18 points and 9 rebounds. Solid upside to his game.
John Green- 2023 CG, (Premier Express): Green is a scoring lead guard with a good feel for the game. He led his team in scoring on the weekend and made play after play down the stretch to lead his team to a 2 point victory in the championship game. His quickness and ability to make the right pass and plays during crunch time is what put him in the discussion for MVP. He makes the all-tournament team for his efforts.
Jaylen Samford- 2023 PG, (Premeir Express): Samford has good size at 5'10" and loves scoring on the fastbreak. He is shifty, crafty, and can knock down the open jumper if you leave him open. Competitor and smart would be two words to describe his game when you watch him play. His defense and offense were on full display in the championship game when he led his team to victory. His overall performance on the weekend puts him on the all-tournament team.
Damontae Thomas- 2023 PG (Monroe Select Elite): Thomas might be a small lead guard but don't let that fool you. He can score from anywhere on the court and makes it look easy while doing it. He plays bigger than 5'3", and is usually the smartest player on the court due to high basketball IQ. All he does is win and makes all his teammates better when he has the ball in his hands. Solid overall performance on the weekend.
Jadarius Chaney- 2023 PG (Meridian Cougars): Chaney is the primary point guard but plays really well off the ball when his teammate Swindell III has the ball in his hands. His slashing ability from the top of key as well as in transition is where he did most of his scoring on the weekend. Defense and effort are the things that come to mind when describing him on defensive end of the floor. You will not outwork this player. You gotta love his upside.
Carson Muse- 2023 SF (North AL Stars): Muse is a 6-foot-3 inch small forward who could be considered a point forward. He handles the ball a ton and makes plays for his teammates. His skill level is off the charts. Rebounding on both ends and making shots from all three levels is what comes to mind when you think about his game. This gym rat has a ton of upside, but lacks aggression at times but the good news is he has plenty of time to get that worked out. His game kind of reminds me of Gordon Hayward of the Boston Celtics.
Jamarcus Alexander- 2023 SF (Birmingham Wildcats): Alexander is long, rangy and a good athlete. He loves scoring in both transition and the half court. Scoring mentality is definitely something you do not need to worry about when watching him play. He loves getting down hill in a hurry and wants score when he has the ball. Shot selection is something he has to improve upon but over time he will learn that. As his ball handling progresses, he might be able to play the point guard position as well.
Isaiah Matthews- 2023 PG (Carver Premeir Legacy): Matthews is a pure point guard in every sense of the word. He can handle pressure, makes all the right plays and commuicates well with both his coach and teammates. There is no denying that he is the leader of the team and his teammates follow his lead. Speed, high motor, feel for the game and great vision are just a few intangibles that describe his game. Coaches love these types of players on their team.
Toryion Spears- 2023 PF (Tuscaloosa Oynx): Spears was a beast all weekend long on both ends of the floor when getting rebounds. His size might not be that impressive but his overall strength, motor and will to get his hands on every ball is impressive. One thing he does really well is rim run and showed his speed and quickness when doing so. This athlete was fun to watch due to his ability to cmpete on every possession, and a coach can live with that all day long. His effort lands him on the all-tournament team.
Kory Mincy- 2023 PG (Georgia Impact): Mincy is a do it all type lead guard with scoring capabilities. He wants the ball in his hands at all times and has the quickness and ball handling skills to make plays. When the floor opens up and he can run, the lights get bright and he start to show you his game. He can shoot the ball off the bounce or knock down the open shot if left alone. Coaches love having his type of leadership on the court. Solid overall performance on the weekend.
Reggie Conner Jr. - 2023 SG, (Gulf Coast Heat): Conner is a pass first lead guard with great court vision. He can score if need be and does it well from all three levels. His quickness and first step gives him the burst to get anywhere on the floor. It's almost impossible for a team to press him due to he is a one man press break. He averaged double figures all weekend long and it lands him on the all- tournament team.
LJ Hackman- 2023 SG, (DaHouse): Hackman was one of the better scoring guards we saw on the weekend. He can score on all three levels and loves slashing to the rim in the half court set. His ability to draw contact at the rim creates him a ton of scoring opportunites at the free throw line. Effort, passion, and heart are three words that best describe his game. He averaged double figures on the weekend which lands him on the all-tournament team.
Jahlil Harley- 2023 SG (Alabama Cavs): Harley is a pure scorer in every sense of the word. He can score from all three levels and loves slashing to the basket. At 6'1", he has great size for the position. Offensive rebounding, athleticism and high motor are the attributes that describe his game on the weekend. He loves knocking down the three ball when left open. He scored a game high 17 points against the Premier Express, the tourney champion.
Elijah Herron- 2023 CG (HCBC): Herron is a downhill attacker when in transition and in the half court. He loves initiating contact on his drives and getting to the foul line to create easy scoring opportunities for his team. He is a good enough shooter if left open and he can knock down multiple long range bombs which can break a teams back. As he gets stronger and his confidence rises, look for this scoring guard to be a problem.
Max Morrison- 2023 SG (MC Warriors): Morrison is a long range sniper when he steps on the court. He likes to find his shot in transition where he can get lost and his teammates can find him. He averaged 2 three-pointers per game and was one of the more consistent shooters from behind the arc we saw over the weekend. As he gets stronger and develops more off the bounce, you should see his game take the next step.
KJ Anderson- 2023 SG (Team Flight Elite): Anderson led his team in scoring pretty much all weekend long. He averaged double figures and scored a team high 18 points with 4 three pointers in a tough loss to the NAS Elite. He handles the ball well enough to play both guard positions and loves to play defense. As he grows and gets stronger, look for his game to take the next step in development. Solid overall performance on the weekend.
Marco Tyson- 2023 F (Memphis Jay Hawks): Tyson is a good rebounder on both ends and plays hard on each and every possession. He did most of his scoring in the half court set. He showed the ability to guard multiple positions on the floor, which makes it hard for the coach to sit him. His work ethic, high motor and love for the game is what made him stand out this weekend.
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