Dallas Mavericks Fall Classic: Standout Prospects (Part 1)
I got to see some really talented players go head to head this past weekend at the Dallas Mavericks Fall Classic in Frisco, Texas. 32 high school teams from all around the state competed in this early season tournament, and…
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Continue ReadingI got to see some really talented players go head to head this past weekend at the Dallas Mavericks Fall Classic in Frisco, Texas. 32 high school teams from all around the state competed in this early season tournament, and although I wasn’t able to see every team play, I was really impressed with every school I did have the opportunity to watch. With that in mind, here are seven standout prospects that caught my eye last weekend:
Jada Malone – 2021 6’4 Forward (CyFair Premier) The Village HS – The No. 1 ranked prospect in our Prep Girls Hoops 2021 rankings further proved that she is one of the best players in the state during this tournament. Malone has soft hands and is very mobile for her size. Her ability to catch the ball deep in the paint and quickly get up a shot allows her to dominate smaller forwards and centers. She is also a tremendous rebounder at both ends and an underrated passer from the interior.
Sydney Ward – 2022 6’0 Guard (Texas Elite Chuck) The Village HS – Ward is another highly ranked player from The Village high school in Houston. She is a knockdown three-point shooter from the catch. I love how smooth her game is. On top off her shooting ability, she is a crafty finisher at the rim. Furthermore, she showed that she is a two-way player by getting back on defense and making several plays for her team.
Zayla Tinner – 2020 5’11 Forward/Guard (Drive Nation EYBL) Amarillo HS – Tinner led Amarillo to a first-place finish in the tournament. She was sensational in the second half of the championship game on Saturday. Her ability to take over a game is special. She is a point-forward who completely controls the game when she is on the floor. Tinner can shoot, drive, pass, dribble, and rebound at a high level. She can shoot the three, but rarely settles for it, instead opting to get into the paint where she is lethal.
Madison Ott – 2021 5’11 Point Guard (Drive Nation 17U EYBL) Centennial HS – Ott is a tall floor general who can shoot the three ball with the best of them. I loved seeing her answer three pointers by opposing teams with a three of her own. She is excellent as the ball handler in the pick and roll, seemingly always making the right decision. She reads the defense like a quarterback. Additionally, Ott is a gifted passer who has the ability to make those really difficult cross-court passes that we see LeBron James make so often.
Amarachi Kimpson – 2023 5’7 Point Guard (CyFair) Little Elm HS – This was undoubtedly the best freshman I saw this past weekend. She is an elite scorer and a cold-blooded killer on the court. Kimpson has an extremely diverse offensive game. Every time I thought I had figured out her style of play, she did something that forced me to rethink my stance on her. She can hit the three from the catch or off the dribble and is a crafty scorer on the drive. Her ability to fill up the box score makes her a must-see prospect.
Jazzy Owens-Barnett – 2022 5’8 Point Guard (Pro Skills 16U EYBL) Frisco Liberty HS – Owens-Barnett is an athletic point guard with great court vision. Her speed with the ball and downhill style make it difficult for opposing players to keep her in front of them. When she gets inside, she can absorb and finish through contact or kick it out to a shooter in the corner. She also proved that she can hit open threes. There is a lot to like about this prospect.
Mariah Roberts – 2021 5’8 Shooting Guard Arlington Martin HS – Roberts is an under-the-radar prospect with a strap from beyond the arc. She is a great three-point shooter with range. The junior shooting guard has a great handle and uses it to free herself up for open jump shots. She is capable of making shots from the catch too. Her ability to drain the three ball is one of the reasons Arlington Martin got to the championship game in this tournament.
Check out Part 2 here.