Continuing our pre-season hoops coverage, I made the journey to Dallas to take in the GASO JUCO/Prep Showcase. Held at the gorgeous Duncanville Fieldhouse, the JUCO/Prep Showcase blended over 50 JUCO’s and prep schools from throughout the country under one roof with courts that made things eeasily accessible to watch multiple games at once. Blue Zertuche, Michael Timmons, and the rest of the GASO staff made things seamless.
Ballislife FAB 50 candidates Dynamic Prep (Texas) and Oak Cliff Faith Family (Texas) headline the group of prep teams with both coming off stellar 2024-25 campaigns. Dynamic Prep, led by consensus top-3 2027 Marcus Spears Jr., was runner-up in the Chipotle Nationals and will be competing in Overtime Elite this season. Oak Cliff Faith Family opted to leave the Texas UIL last season and won the EIBC National Championship last year, and join the EYBL Scholastic League for the 2025-26 season. Countless other prep and charter schools from within the region made the journey to Duncanville, culminating with a loaded two day event:
Having already taken a look at the top high seniors, the top juniors, and the top underclassmen, here are some of the players who will see their stock rise with their play at the 2025 GASO JUCO/Prep Showcase:
Gallagher Placide, 6’9, PF, Oak Cliff Faith Family (Texas), 2026
It is hard to put a player heading to Wake Forest in the stock risers, but people seem to forget how talented Gallagher Placide is. Ranked outside of the top 75 by most major services, Gallagher embodies everything that you hope for out of a new age forward. He has a reliable 3-point shot, is fluid enough to beat slower defenders off the dribble, and can utilize his 225-pound frame on the block to post smaller defenders. While there is still plenty of room for improvement, once you toss in the fact that he can contain every position on the floor for spurts defensively, it’s evident that the future Demon Deacons forward is still quite underrated.
Mateo Rico, 7’1, C, New Wave Academy (Texas), 2026
The biggest player that the Texas Hoops GASO Prep Showcase had to offer was Rico, who made an even bigger impact on the interior. Mateo showed off intriguing footwork on the block, made tough catches out of pick and roll play, and kept plays alive on both ends of the court. The Colombian senior still needs refinement, but has many of the tools that college coaches desire of a developmental big man.
Elton Smith, 6’9, C, Dynamic Prep (Texas), 2026
While Marcus Spears Jr. receives most of the attention, his frontcourt running mate Elton Smith showed that he’s a serious prospect in his own right. The physical big man was an outstanding passer for a post, looked to absorb contact at any chance possible, and showed great footwork in the low post. The skilled big man holds D1 offers, but is still wide open in the recruiting process with no shortage of opportunities for exposure at Dynamic Prep.
Tyson Heard, 6’2, PG, Texas Storm (Texas), 2026
In today’s transfer portal era, you are seeing countless high school players opt to head to the D-2 level rather than wait late into the spring or the summer following their senior campaigns to sign with a D-1 program. Tyson Heard is one of those guys. Heading to UT-Dallas, Heard will should bring an immediate presence as an outside shooting threat, both off of the dribble and with his feet set. The 31-point, 10-assist showing he had in the opening game of the GASO Prep Showcase put everyone on notice how serious of a lead guard Heard is.
Macodou Diouf, 6’8, PF, Houston Xavier Academy (Texas), 2026
Coming off a state title last season, Macodou Diouf was in constant attack mode at the GASO Prep Showcase. Diouf made a number of straight line drives facing the rack, played through contact at the rim, and made plays with his high level of activity on both ends. The Senegalese big had some big games with One Time Legends on the Adidas 3SSB circuit and despite holding mid-major offers, is open to all suitors as far as recruitment.
Ian Parham, 6’5, PG/SG, Houston Good Vision Academy (Texas), 2026
Even though I only saw a small sample size, it was easy to see the tantalizing talent that Ian Parham brings to the table. Able to play both guard positions, Parham has the wiggle in his game to create for himself/others, is a solid 3-point shooter, and uses his size to finish in the paint. Having already received International exposure playing for the Belize 18U, the combo guard brings high level experience to his next destination.
Editor's Pick
#1 Ranked Player Tyran Stokes Was On A WARPATH!