Couple GASO notes

[GParker]

The GASO tipped off today in duncanville and thanks to some tweets by rivals.com's Eric bossi we know that Jeff Capel is there and watching 2012 dfw big man Prince Ibeh. Also Nino Jackson from ardmore is playing with the oklahoma hawks this week instead of his normal team, athletes first. If I run across any other info on the event I will be sure to pass it along.

 

[Sam]

From a rivals write up, man I love how this kid plays.

Marcus Smart - With his team down 10 in the second half, he did everything from play point to power forward as he willed his team ahead. He's as aggressive as they come in the class of 2012.

 

[SoonerDAZE]

I sat near Capel (and many other Big 12 head men) during games with the TA Pistons (Prince's team), Team Texas, and Dallas Mustangs playing.

Ibeh is still growing and is physically gifted, but a LONG way from contributing on a Big 12-type stage. He's close to 6'9" and has natural shot-blocking timing for sure and has decent hands, but lacks offensive instincts and skills. He's not a great offensive or defensive rebounder by any stretch of the imagination, primarily because he's not aggressive and is not strong enough to carve out and establish position. He's only a 2012, so he has time to improve, but it will be an uphill battle for sure. Light years behind kids in his class like Isiah Austin.

Marcus Smart is back from his muscle injury and looks to be on his game. Not sure Marcus will be able to defend 2's on the perimeter at the Big 12 level, which will make him a mismatch liability at the 3 if he can't remedy that between now and then, but the rest of his game makes him a lock for that level. His offensive game is blue-collar and tight, with no glaring weaknesses for his age. If he grows two or three more inches and continues to improve year to year, he might be a top-10-in-the-country caliber player as a small forward by the time he's a senior.

Marcus' teammate Phil Forte is a nearly sure-thing, knock down jumper every time he touches the ball with even the slightest gap between he and his defender. Like Marcus, he's undersized for what his strengths are. At his size, he's a PG, but his game is that of a SG.

The great thing about all of these guys is they are 2012's with time to improve, yet they are turning heads in the NBA division down here at GASO.

 

[Seymore Cox]

Good info Daze.

 

[BigTime]

Good info Daze. Thanks.

 

[DFWHoopster]

I saw a few games yesterday:

Showtyme Elite (Jarion Henry) vs Houston Hoops (Reese, Love, Frazier, Sulaimon)

Dallas Mustangs (Nash, Miles, Abron, Stiggers) vs Danny Granger

Team Texas (Branch, Green) vs San Antonio Rohawks (Holmes)

Anyone want comments on players on these teams? I also watched Thomas Gipson and Marcus Smart for a few minutes.

 

[Sam]

Come on DFW spell some beans.

How was Henry's motor?

Was Nash wearing Baylor gear?

Are the two A&M commits (Green and Branch) shaping up to be a formidable Big 12 back court? (I have seen Branch slipping in the rankings).

In your few minutes of watching Smart did he live up to this tweet from Eric Bossi?

I'm pretty convinced that Marcus Smart has a wallet that reads just like Samuel Jackson's in Pulp Fiction.

 

[Sam]

I sat near Capel (and many other Big 12 head men) during games with the TA Pistons (Prince's team), Team Texas, and Dallas Mustangs playing.

Ibeh is still growing and is physically gifted, but a LONG way from contributing on a Big 12-type stage. He's close to 6'9" and has natural shot-blocking timing for sure and has decent hands, but lacks offensive instincts and skills. He's not a great offensive or defensive rebounder by any stretch of the imagination, primarily because he's not aggressive and is not strong enough to carve out and establish position. He's only a 2012, so he has time to improve, but it will be an uphill battle for sure. Light years behind kids in his class like Isiah Austin.

Marcus Smart is back from his muscle injury and looks to be on his game. Not sure Marcus will be able to defend 2's on the perimeter at the Big 12 level, which will make him a mismatch liability at the 3 if he can't remedy that between now and then, but the rest of his game makes him a lock for that level. His offensive game is blue-collar and tight, with no glaring weaknesses for his age. If he grows two or three more inches and continues to improve year to year, he might be a top-10-in-the-country caliber player as a small forward by the time he's a senior.

Marcus' teammate Phil Forte is a nearly sure-thing, knock down jumper every time he touches the ball with even the slightest gap between he and his defender. Like Marcus, he's undersized for what his strengths are. At his size, he's a PG, but his game is that of a SG.

The great thing about all of these guys is they are 2012's with time to improve, yet they are turning heads in the NBA division down here at GASO.

I still think he will be able to match up with most Big 12 3s even if he remains at 6'3 or so. He has good length and his motor and desire will allow to match up. How big time 3s are there in the Big 12 per year? Sure his limits might not allow him to become a NBA player but when talking about college he would be a great 4 year player.

Forte reminds me a ton of Keiton Page, seen him play a couple times and he is deadly from deep. I've read he is working on his point guard skills but I still think he is going to D-1, at least low level, even if he remains more of a spot up guy. Page has proven that it is possible.

 

[DFWHoopster]

Come on DFW spell some beans.

How was Henry's motor?

Was Nash wearing Baylor gear?

Are the two A&M commits (Green and Branch) shaping up to be a formidable Big 12 back court? (I have seen Branch slipping in the rankings).

In your few minutes of watching Smart did he live up to this tweet from Eric Bossi?

Henry's motor was very impressive to me. He is reckless with the basketball. He took a swing at a guy. He's cocky as hell. But he is very talented. I thought he and Frazier had the most upside of players in that game which included Rose, Reese, Sulaimon, etc... I love his motor- he plays with an edge. Anthony Jones (from Baylor) with a killer instinct is what comes to mind.

Nash had no Baylor gear on, but Drew was prominently in his view the whole game. Didn't see the little general there. He might have been up in the observation room though. An OU assistant was there along with Chris Ogden from UT was also there talking and laughing with Drew. Nash played like he didn't care although he had 3 or 4 plays that were spectacular. Body language is really bad though.

I thought Green was underrated. He plays with a high motor- always in motion. The kind of player that drives you nuts to play against because he never stops. English of Missouri comes to mind.

Branch is solid. But he's not 6'3". He looks 6' and he can't create his own shot very well. I see why he has slipped in the rankings. Both need to gain a lot of strength.

Rose and Smart look like the only guards ready to come in and play right now from a strength perspective. Nash definitely has an NBA body already.

Smart's game was a blowout and I only saw the 2nd half. He looked good, but was more interested in getting others involved due to the wide margin.

 

[Sam]

Based on the flashes Nash shows I think if he had the proper mindset I think he could really challenge for the top spot instead of "just" floating around 5-10. He is such a physical specimen and can bring down the house with his dunks but I think he is guilty at this point at coasting and turning it on and off. With proper motivation the guy could be a little like a poor man Lebron James', not athletic as James but his body type and game could be similar.

Could you describe the OU assistant if you still remember? I think the board would be interested in a chance to ID him.

Appreciate the thoughts DFW, if you got any other tidbits feel free to share.

 

[DFWHoopster]

Nash is Carmelo Anthony when he wants to be. I agree with what you said. He had some plays that make you say wow. And I saw him play at a very high level against Perry Jones last year. But he stands around a lot and that neutralizes his talent.

Dionne Phelps was the coach that was there. He was watching the same teams that I was.

This Holmes kid from SA Rohawks was the player I came away impressed with. He shows offers from Colorado, A&M and Texas Tech. But in the game I saw, he looks every bit as good as the elite talent.

 

[Sam]

Danny from the 6th man and Bryce Drew's brother are both watching Nash and his mustangs in a GASO semifinal tilt. Coach Phelps is still hanging around as well

 

[Sam]

Some quick thoughts on my experience so far. Caught some of the final games at the GASO, now settling in for the metroplex showcase. Devonte abrons is a little bit of a sleeper when it comes to dfw posts. He carried the load for the mustangs when Nash was in a slump/pouting. Little Phil forte can shoot the rock. Thomas Gipson rolled his ankle and was unable to play today. Been getting a lot of video so far, should get more tonight and maybe tomorrow

 

[DFWHoopster]

soonersam- thanks for the notes. I thought Abron was a good player. Did you get to watch Holmes for the Rohawks? He was really impressive in a loss to Team Texas on Saturday. Lots of upside. Another sleeper is Drew Charles on Team Texas. He looked like one of those kids from Northern Iowa that will stick a dagger in you. I would love to see what he could do if he was running the show. Right now he is stuck behind the Ags (Branch and Green) on Team Texas.

 

[SoonerDAZE]

Another sleeper is Drew Charles on Team Texas. He looked like one of those kids from Northern Iowa that will stick a dagger in you. I would love to see what he could do if he was running the show. Right now he is stuck behind the Ags (Branch and Green) on Team Texas.

Drew is a 2012 who splits time between the TT 16's and 17's 60%/40%. He is fearless and does whatever is needed to win. Has to continue to develop his long range jumper, but is surprisingly adept at getting to the basket and finishing or setting up a teammate. Is also quick enough to play sufficient defense on most 1's and 2's. Has plenty of upside, but will be hurt if he stays playing at the small school he currently plays at. Needs to compete against better players in bigger schools to continue to rise.

 

[DFWHoopster]

Drew is a 2012 who splits time between the TT 16's and 17's 60%/40%. He is fearless and does whatever is needed to win. Has to continue to develop his long range jumper, but is surprisingly adept at getting to the basket and finishing or setting up a teammate. Is also quick enough to play sufficient defense on most 1's and 2's. Has plenty of upside, but will be hurt if he stays playing at the small school he currently plays at. Needs to compete against better players in bigger schools to continue to rise.

Sooner- thanks for the thoughts on Drew. I agree that he will probably need to transfer schools. I was impressed with him- especially the way he carried himself on the court.