I stayed nearer to dwelling for the primary July Dwell Interval weekend to catch The Pro16/NXT League in Houston. This was my first time catching a session of this league ran by Matt Reynolds and from the mass quantity of faculty coaches to the excessive degree gamers, I might say it was a robust first 12 months exhibiting. Right this moment I’ll consider my 2024 standouts throughout my time in Houston.
Layne Taylor Shines at The MI3 Middle
The most efficient participant in the entire occasion was small guard. The 5-foot-11 billing he’s given is beneficiant however Layne Taylor is a big-time shooter, passer and an amazing really feel for the sport that permits him to nonetheless be fairly efficient. Taylor is likely one of the higher passers within the nation that shoots it with vary both off the catch or pull-up. He lately acquired affords from Chattanooga and Lipscomb. I really feel that he’ll be an all-conference participant if he goes to the precise state of affairs on the subsequent degree.
1Family Is Loaded
I received to see 1Family for the primary time and it’s clear to see why they’re labeled as the very best workforce on Pro16. The workforce is headlined by five-star 2024 prospect Asa Newell, who imposed his will within the paint on each ends. The lefty ahead was a monster inside, as his excessive motor and steady pursuit of the ball permits him to gather offensive rebounds and win 50-50 balls. He additionally rejected or altered many photographs on the rim. Mobility, athleticism, instincts, power and willingness to do the soiled work permits him to impression video games on each ends.
Florida pledge Isaiah Brown was very impactful as properly. He is an athletic wing-guard prospect that confirmed a knack of attending to the rim and is an above-the-rim finisher that appears to punch it in site visitors. He is additionally an lively and plus rebounder for his measurement with good rebounding instincts. Brown was a dependable menace as a catch-n-shoot candidate when the ball rotated to him. Kameren Wright was big as properly and noticed an up-tick in his recruitment. A giant guard/wing prospect with loads of upside, Wright is a robust secondary ball-handler that may provoke offense every now and then, makes open photographs, and is a flexible defender that makes use of size and lateral mobility to modify and excel. Marshall and Oklahoma State lately have supplied. Final however not least is Lorenzo Cason. A robust constructed combo guard that will get paint touches and finishes by way of contact, Cason can blow by defenders as a result of straight line burst and has high quality passer imaginative and prescient.
Ryan Jones Continues to Get Higher
Ryan Jones was one among my principal standouts from Pangos All American Camp in early June and in Houston I noticed extra of the identical. Simply total, I’ve been impressed with Jones’ development from a 12 months in the past. Shot choice is best, he’s using his cumbersome, stocky body to his benefit and has grow to be a greater finisher versus size. A inside/out chiseled body ahead that may actually shoot it as a spot-up candidate. Subsequent degree energy and capturing prowess offers Jones an opportunity after faculty if he can put all of it collectively.
2024 Standouts
Jason Asemota, 6’8 Wing – The Hill (AZ): Jason is a participant! Massive-time addition in 2024 for Baylor. Dimension, prolific 3-point capturing and plus deal with at 6’8. Shot creating potential, as Asemota can generate a stable look on isolation performs however settles at occasions. Can shoot it on the transfer, off the catch and attacked closeouts properly in Houston.
Chase Nelson, 6’2 PG – EAD (TX): Had a robust exhibiting. Sturdy constructed guard that’s a very good on-ball defender. A pure level that passes first and finally likes to play-make. Will get paint-touches, has a variety of wiggle with deal with and is a sound scorer contained in the arc as properly. Mixture of scoring and passing was spectacular. Division 1 prospect for positive.
Braden Hausen, 6’7 Wing – BYC (TX): His ability and really feel pops out instantly when the sport begins. A degree-forward for his workforce. Doesn’t get sped up when dealing with the ball. Will old-school it some by backing down smaller, peskier defenders which might be making an attempt to get in his private area. To me, was the second greatest passer on the occasion behind Layne Taylor.
Ja’Quavis Williford, 6’7 SF – Las Vegas Knicks (NV): Williford performed very well this previous weekend. Greatest wing performer in my view. Lefty who’s a fearless shot-taker and maker. Pull-up recreation was on-point within the mid-range space. Athletic within the open court docket and albeit getting got rid of path when driving to the opening, he is aware of the right way to use his athleticism to his benefit, get toes set, then launch and join.
Pape N’Ndiaye, 7’ C – Las Vegas Knicks (NV): From what I noticed in Orlando for NBPA Prime 100 Camp to what I noticed in Houston have been two totally different gamers. In Orlando he was only a rebounder and shot blocker that confirmed minimal offensive recreation. Right here, Pape additionally displayed mid-range capturing contact, face-up recreation that results in a operating jump-hook and development in his footwork.
Chris Mason, 6’8 PF – Tulsa Hawks: Mismatched ahead that has a robust, sturdy body. Primarily an inside scorer that confirmed capability to face-up from mid-range space and in addition the highest of the important thing. Mason rebounds, throws his physique round and has improved as a finisher versus size.
Zion Pipkins, 6’2 CG – Cooz Elite (TX): Scoring combo with lengthy arms. Exploded for over 30 factors on opening evening. Was very assertive with the ball in his arms, however nonetheless stored defenses trustworthy along with his passing so lanes have been nonetheless open for him to assault.
Brayden Younger, 6’9 C – Cooz Elite (TX): He’s gotten quite a bit higher over the previous 12 months. Nonetheless uncooked however cell, makes use of size to rebound and block photographs. Ample dunker-spot finisher however I like that he runs rim to rim and at all times an choice in transition as a result of he out-runs the opposing huge.
TJ Burch, 6’1 CG – Max Ranges Elite (TX): Max Ranges’ weekend didn’t go as deliberate because the went 0-4 however they nonetheless have prospects. Burch supplied a robust scoring punch and output, averaging over 20 ppg. Will get to the rim at will and an higher tier guard finisher within the nationwide 2024 class. Taking pictures has gotten higher and defensively guarded 94 feeet and was tenacious as an on-ball defender.
Tyran Mason, 6’6 Wing – Max Ranges Elite (TX): Scoring wing prospect that has a variety of offensive abilities. Mid-post scoring that may exploit measurement benefit. As a shooter, Mason can join off the catch and run off screens. Advantageous positional measurement with big-time scoring prowess and upside is the explanation his recruitment has gone up.
Different 2024 Notables
Jaxson Ford, 6’7 PF – Max Ranges Elite
Jayce Spann, 6’2 CG – EAD
AJ Borden, 6’2 CG – Household Ties
Carter Benton, 6’4 SG – Tulsa Hawks
Taylor Thompson, 6’2 CG – Staff Judah Nation
Jadyn Helpful, 6’2 CG – AAO Flight