With a relatively dead weekend in between the two high school scholastic live periods, I decided to make the journey from Minneapolis to Dallas for the loaded GASO Pre-Live Showcase. Offering teams from every single shoe circuit, the event was an easy scouting opportunity all under one roof at the Ryse StarCenter in Farmers Branch, Texas.
Houston Hoops (EYBL), Team Nation (New Balance P32), 3D Empire (Puma Pro 16), Rashard Lewis Academy (New Balance P32), Pro Skills (EYBL), AB Elite (EYBL), and Southern Assault (Adidas 3SSB) all brought squads from various age groups to not only compete against each other, but against some of the top independent teams that DFW has to offer.
Having already covered the notables from day two and then the standouts from the final day of the GASO Pre-Live Showcase, here are seven seniors who certainly helped themselves with their play this past weekend in Dallas:
.@ABElite2027 brought masses to @TexasHoopsGASO Pre-Live Showcase.Aiden Groce was super dynamic w/great burst &elite.6'9 Steven McLeod is just scratching surface of how good he can be,&6'5 Isiah Santos is perfect power wing.
— Rodger Bohn (@rodgerbohn) June 24, 2026
More #GASO on @Ballislifehttps://t.co/s2LMETAXDt pic.twitter.com/9Nk31MN7qu
Avery Moses, 6'4", SG, Drive Nation 17U
The epitome of a power guard, Avery Moses did a little bit of everything throughout Drive Nation's undefeated weekend at GASO. Moses exploited defenders by taking them to the post, creating for others, then expanding it to the outside, knocking down corner threes.
Toss in the fact that Avery guarded virtually every position on the floor at stretches and provided help on the glass, and it's easy to see why he's a recruiting priority for many programs.
Romejo Waits, 6'4", PG/SG, Texas Impact 4:13 17U
A player that I wasn't familiar with before the event, Romejo Waits, left a big-time impression with his play at GASO. The combo guard wasn't afraid to mix it up in the paint despite his wiry frame, made incredibly high-level passes to others, and was a creative finisher at the rim.
While some get caught up in the unorthodox form of his 3-point shot, that doesn't change the results or the immense impact that he has on the game in so many different ways.
Marcus Spears Jr., 6'9", PF, Drive Nation 17U
The star of the show at GASO was the opposing teams' Super Bowl to go up against Marcus Spears Jr. and Drive Nation, creating an outstanding atmosphere at a June AAU event. With defenses completely loaded up on ESPN's top 2027, Spears spent his time playing exclusively on the perimeter and showed off his absurd first step going either direction to collapse the defense.
While Spears' outside shot wasn't falling, it was great to see him playing with such confidence on the wing and the growth that he's made.
Aiden Groce, 6'1", PG, AB Elite 17U
While I would have loved to get another look at the nation's best point guard (Beckham Black, who was getting ready to head to Europe for USA Basketball), his absence gave me an extended look to realize how special a prospect Aiden Groce is in his own right. The dynamic lead guard showed great burst getting downhill, constantly had his head on a swivel, and has the athleticism to finish over the top of you in the paint.
Groce immediately picked up his latest offer from Lamar following his play at GASO and will have plenty more joining the party in the live period
Avery Huston, 6'4", SG, AB Elite 17U
One of the better shooters in the nation, Avery Huston, lived up to his reputation at the GASO Pre-Live Showcase. He showed off elite footwork coming off of screens in either direction, killed people with his pull-up off the bounce, and shocked those who didn't know with his dunks in transition.
Huston stole the show at the 2025 Tarkanian Classic and has gotten even better since then, firmly supplanting himself as a high-major shooting guard.
Alex Cheatham, 6'2", PG, 3D Empire 17U
Another player whom I was getting a deeper look at, Alex Cheatham, did not back down one bit against a loaded Drive Nation squad. Cheatham was much more aggressive than when I saw him in the Puma PRO 16 play.
Furthermore, he was a deadly 3-point threat and made you play with his pull-up jumper. Holding mid-major offers already, Cheatham certainly stands to benefit from this weekend's TABC Showcase.
Xander Pruzinsky, 6'9", PF, AB Elite 17U
Taking a little bit of a backseat to some of his other AB Elite teammates who were cooking, Xander Pruzinsky showed why he's an immediate plug-and-play guy at the collegiate level. The agile forward played incredibly hard on both ends, made a number of quick flashes to open areas for buckets, and made so many plays on both ends of the floor.
Holding a dozen D-1 offers, Pruzinsky is bound to shoot up the rankings during the July live period.
