Gary Blevins Memorial Classic: Standout 2023 and 2024 Prospects
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I got to see a ton of talented Texas prospects this weekend at the Premier Basketball Gary Blevins Memorial Classic in Frisco. Now that the grassroots season is in full swing, teams and individuals are really beginning to hit their…
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Continue ReadingI got to see a ton of talented Texas prospects this weekend at the Premier Basketball Gary Blevins Memorial Classic in Frisco. Now that the grassroots season is in full swing, teams and individuals are really beginning to hit their stride and show what they are capable of.
With that in mind, here are eight of the best 2023 and 2024 prospects from the tournament:
Jalynn Bristow Jalynn Bristow 6'2" | SF Rider | 2023 State TX | 2023 | 6’3’’ Power Forward/Center | Team Lex Nation | Rider HS – Bristow is a shot-making big with outstanding size, mobility, and skill. The 2023 prospect showed scoring ability from every level. She hit a variety of shots from numerous spots on the floor. Her shooting was sensational. She elevates well on her jumper, making it very difficult for defenders to truly contest her attempts, and consistently buried shots off the dribble and from a standstill from both inside and outside the arc. She was virtually unstoppable once she got into a rhythm.
Kylie Marshall Kylie Marshall 5'9" | CG Mansfield Lake Ridge | 2023 State TX | 2023 | 5’11’’ Combo Guard | Team Lex Nation | Mansfield Lake Ridge HS – Marshall was aggressive without being careless this weekend. She had a ton of success attacking the basket, utilizing her handle and crafty finishing to score inside. The Lake Ridge guard was solid as a shooter too, sinking spot up shots from mid-range and deep. Her defense away from the ball as well as her instincts at that end were also noticeable. She has a lot of tools at her disposal.
Payton Hull Payton Hull 5'4" | SG Peaster | 2023 State TX | 2023 | 5’11’’ Shooting Guard | Texas LoneStar Black – 3SSB | Peaster HS – I’ve seen Hull play well at both guard spots, but I think she is at her most dangerous when operating as a slashing two-guard. The Peaster guard possesses great speed with the ball, and that pairs well with her ability to freeze defenders with hesitation moves on the perimeter. She thrived when driving to the rim, earning herself high-percentage looks and/or trips to the foul line. Additionally, her vision as a passer and rebounding were very beneficial to the success of her team.
Sam Basson | 2023 | 5’8’’ Point Guard | Texas LoneStar Black – 3SSB | Lovejoy HS – Basson was once again fantastic as a playmaker. I’ve been increasingly impressed with what I’ve seen from her as a passer every time I’ve had the chance to watch her play. She is generous with the ball and deadly accurate with her deliveries. The Lovejoy floor general navigates the floor beautifully with her dynamic handle and understands how to utilize screens and passing windows to her advantage. She is a capable scorer as well, knocking down pull up jumpers from mid-range.
Grace Leverton | 2024 | 5’4’’ Point Guard | Texas Elite Next Level (Leverton) | Trinity Christian Academy – Leverton is a smart player on offense and defense. She took care of the ball and was an excellent decision maker on Saturday. She scored through traffic with dribble penetration as well as from beyond the three-point line. The TCA guard made some good plays as a distributor too, highlighted by a drive-and-kick assist to a shooter in transition. On defense, Leverton did a good job of playing passing lanes for steals, making smart gambles at that end of the floor.
Kaelyn Hamilton Kaelyn Hamilton 5'10" | SF McKinney North | 2024 State TX | 2024 | 5’8’’ Combo Guard | NTX Lady Elite 2024 | McKinney North HS – Hamilton’s feel for the game is next level. Her advanced understanding of how to be productive in a variety of ways on offense is phenomenal. She is a polished passer who sees the floor incredibly well, a versatile scorer, and a reliable rebounder. It feels like the McKinney North guard shows me something new every time I see her in action. This time it was her deceptive strength in the paint. Hamilton is already such a complete player on offense, yet she continues to add to her collection of skills. She has the potential to be really special.
Keyera Roseby Keyera Roseby 5'10" | SF Liberty | 2024 State TX | 2024 | 5’10’’ Small Forward | NTX Lady Elite 2024 | Wylie East HS – Roseby displayed good offensive versatility this weekend. The 2024 forward was comfortable operating down low and on the perimeter. Her decisiveness and footwork in the post were terrific, continuously finding ways to get to the basket for good looks. She was able to score on the block when playing the four and when attacking off the dribble. She also showed off her ability to knock down tough shots from the mid-range off the bounce. Furthermore, her versatility extended to the defensive end, defending multiple positions.
Aimee Flippen | 2024 | 6’4’’ Center | West Texas Shockers 15U | Glen Rose HS – Flippen’s combination of tremendous size and soft touch make her an absolute weapon on offense. Her finishing near the basket was great, consistently carving out space for herself in the low post and scoring over the top of defenders. The Glen Rose center showed that she can stretch out and drain mid-range shots from the elbows as well. It’s also worth mentioning that she did a lot of her scoring against opponents who were similar to her in height. Furthermore, Flippen produced on the offensive glass.