By TOBIAS BASS
This weekend in Dallas, Texas, there was a must-see Grassroots hoops event presented by Kellen Buffington called ‘Who Want the Smoke.’ This was an event that many in the basketball community had circled since the beginning of last year. Here are some of the prospects that stood out.
16U
Guard: Isaiah Collier
This was my first time seeing Collier in person, and he just standouts over other guards in his class. His ability to put pressure on opposing defenses consistently is impressive. Throughout the three games TSF played, he got in the lane whenever he wanted and put his teammates in position to score. He’s so dominant as a passer he doesn’t need to dribble to be effective. He can play off the ball similar to Tyrese Haliburton and create opportunities for others. Be on the lookout for young point guard in 2023. Collier currently holds offers from Florida, Texas Tech, and Ole Miss.
Guard: Jamyron Keller
The most underrated guard in the country is Jamyron Keller. He only has three scholarship offers from Wyoming, SMU, and Sam Houston State. If you’re looking for a physically gifted, tough, pass-first point guard Keller is your man. I watched Keller for the first time at the Wootten 150 back in October, and he immediately jumped off the page. Seven months later, he continues to jump out at me, but he’s only gotten better. Keller affects games in a variety of ways as a passer, lockdown defender, and rebounder.
Forward: Ethan Davis
The most valuable player on Baylor’s championship roster was Mark Vital, Scott Drew never ran a play for him, but his impact was crucial. Ethan Davis can be a similar player, but with more offensive upside. Davis was one of the more versatile prospects I saw this weekend. At only 16 years old, Davis is the jack of all trades, he can score on and off the ball, rebounds well, and defends at a high level. The 6-foot-5, 200 pound forward from Suwanee (GA) holds offers from Georgia Tech, Georgia, Ole Miss, Middle Tennesse, and several others.
Forward: Cade Phillips
My favorite big to watch over the weekend was TSF’s, Cade Phillips. Phillips should be a five-star recruit a few months from now, as he throws down thunderous dunks, can score in the low-post with nice footwork, legit shot-blocker, and is explosive off his second jump. His IQ as a young big puts him in a position to score often and is one of the best offensive rebounders in the class of 2023. Phillips currently has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Virginia Tech, and many others. If you haven’t seen 6-foot-8 uber-athletic forward from Rainbow City (AL), you’re in for a treat.
Forward: Brandon Garrison
Every time I watch the 6-foot-9 big from Oklahoma City (OK), he gets better. This weekend he showed more of his offensive skillet as a passer. They aren’t flashy passes, but if you cut, he will find you and Team Griffin, at times ran the offense through him. All weekend long, Garrison dominated with ferocious dunks, protecting the rim at a high level, and grabbed every rebound that came his way. Garrison has four scholarship offers from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, SMU, and Tulsa.
17U
Guard: Anthony Black
Dual-sport athletes are becoming more trendy in college basketball. Their mental toughness, competitiveness, and ability to move on to the next play after making a mistake are valuable. Black, in his last game, didn’t shoot particularly well and played through an injury. However, he still impacted the game without scoring many points. Whether it was being disruptive on defense, creating open looks for his teammates, or just being a leader, he impacts winning in a variety of ways. There is no doubt in my mind that Anthony Black is a five-star recruit, and I expect him to shoot up the rankings this summer. Black has received 14 Division One offers so far,
Forward: Yohan Traore
There are not five centers in the country that can do Traore can do. He dominated every game he played and proved that he is the real deal. Traore is as complete as in player in his class. Offensively he is a mismatch problem. Every time he touched the ball free-throw line extended it was a bucket. His post-fadeaway is unguardable and is a legit pick and pop threat. Defensively he is athletic enough to switch on perimeter players and hold his own. The 6-foot-10 big-man communicates well and times his jump perfectly to challenge players at the rim without fouling. There is a case to be that Traore was the best player in Dallas this weekend.
Guard: Milos Uzan
Despite having several power-five offers, the 6-foot-4 guard from Napa (CA) is underrated. Uzan plays with a nice change of pace as a ball-handler and can score from anywhere on the floor when he feels like it. He led his team to a 3-1 record over the weekend and really impressed me with his shot-making ability. In his second to last game, he really controlled the flow of the game and made the right play consistently. He lead his team to victory in a double OT game against 3D Empire, featuring highly recruited players such as Anthony Black, Ryan Agarwal, and Koren Johnson. Uzan holds offers from UCLA, Arizona, Arizona State, Texas Tech, TCU, Washington State, and UNLV.
Forward: Jordan Walsh
You won’t find a more versatile basketball player in Grassroots than Jordan Walsh. The uber-athletic, High-IQ 6-foot-7 point-forward from Cedar Hill (TX) is elite offensively and will be an instant impact player at the next level. With his 6-foot-9 wingspan, he gets an array of deflections, dunks, and high motor plays. Walsh competes on both ends with energy and one of the best play-makers in the class 2022. He holds offers from Arkansas, Auburn, California, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech.
Guard: Jazian Gortman
Gortman is a fiery competitor and plays with a chip on his shoulder. Gortman is quick as they come and can get anywhere on the floor to score a bucket. He is an effective scorer on and off the ball and is lights out as a shooter. In this game against Souther Assualt, he took it personal and really challenged ball handlers by poking balls loose. The 6-foot-2 guard is a big-time player and really comes to play in the big moments. The Columbia (SC) native has offers from Clemson, Florida State, Maryland, NC State, Ole Miss, Texas, and Wake Forest.
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