I stayed closer to home for the first July Live Period weekend to catch The Pro16/NXT League in Houston. This was my first time catching a session of this league ran by Matt Reynolds and from the mass amount of college coaches to the high level players, I would say it was a strong first year showing. Today I will evaluate my 2024 standouts during my time in Houston.
Layne Taylor Shines at The MI3 Center
The most productive player in the whole event was small guard. The 5-foot-11 billing he’s given is generous but Layne Taylor is a big-time shooter, passer and a tremendous feel for the game that allows him to still be quite effective. Taylor is one of the better passers in the country that shoots it with range either off the catch or pull-up. He recently received offers from Chattanooga and Lipscomb. I feel that he’ll be an all-conference player if he goes to the right situation at the next level.
1Family Is Loaded
I got to see 1Family for the first time and it’s clear to see why they are labeled as the best team on Pro16. The team is headlined by five-star 2024 prospect Asa Newell, who imposed his will in the paint on both ends. The lefty forward was a monster inside, as his high motor and continuous pursuit of the ball allows him to collect offensive rebounds and win 50-50 balls. He also rejected or altered many shots at the rim. Mobility, athleticism, instincts, energy and willingness to do the dirty work allows him to impact games on both ends.
Florida pledge Isaiah Brown was very impactful as well. He's an athletic wing-guard prospect that showed a knack of getting to the rim and is an above-the-rim finisher that looks to punch it in traffic. He's also an active and plus rebounder for his size with good rebounding instincts. Brown was a reliable threat as a catch-n-shoot candidate when the ball rotated to him. Kameren Wright was huge as well and saw an up-tick in his recruitment. A big guard/wing prospect with plenty of upside, Wright is a strong secondary ball-handler that can initiate offense from time to time, makes open shots, and is a versatile defender that uses length and lateral mobility to switch and excel. Marshall and Oklahoma State recently have offered. Last but not least is Lorenzo Cason. A strong built combo guard that gets paint touches and finishes through contact, Cason can blow by defenders due to straight line burst and has quality passer vision.
Ryan Jones Continues to Get Better
Ryan Jones was one of my main standouts from Pangos All American Camp in early June and in Houston I saw more of the same. Just overall, I’ve been impressed with Jones’ growth from a year ago. Shot selection is better, he’s utilizing his bulky, stocky frame to his advantage and has become a better finisher versus length. A inside/out chiseled frame forward that can really shoot it as a spot-up candidate. Next level strength and shooting prowess gives Jones a chance after college if he can put it all together.
2024 Standouts
Jason Asemota, 6’8 Wing - The Hill (AZ): Jason is a player! Big-time addition in 2024 for Baylor. Size, prolific 3-point shooting and plus handle at 6’8. Shot creating potential, as Asemota can generate a solid look on isolation plays but settles at times. Can shoot it on the move, off the catch and attacked closeouts well in Houston.
Chase Nelson, 6’2 PG - EAD (TX): Had a strong showing. Sturdy built guard that’s a good on-ball defender. A pure point that passes first and ultimately loves to play-make. Gets paint-touches, has a lot of wiggle with handle and is a sound scorer inside the arc as well. Mix of scoring and passing was impressive. Division 1 prospect for sure.
Braden Hausen, 6’7 Wing - BYC (TX): His skill and feel pops out immediately when the game starts. A point-forward for his team. Doesn’t get sped up when handling the ball. Will old-school it some by backing down smaller, peskier defenders that are trying to get in his personal space. To me, was the second best passer at the event behind Layne Taylor.
Ja’Quavis Williford, 6’7 SF - Las Vegas Knicks (NV): Williford played really well this past weekend. Best wing performer in my opinion. Lefty who’s a fearless shot-taker and maker. Pull-up game was on-point in the mid-range area. Athletic in the open court and albeit getting bumped off path when driving to the hole, he knows how to use his athleticism to his advantage, get feet set, then launch and connect.
Pape N’Ndiaye, 7’ C - Las Vegas Knicks (NV): From what I saw in Orlando for NBPA Top 100 Camp to what I saw in Houston were two different players. In Orlando he was just a rebounder and shot blocker that showed minimal offensive game. Here, Pape also displayed mid-range shooting touch, face-up game that leads to a running jump-hook and advancement in his footwork.
Chris Mason, 6’8 PF - Tulsa Hawks: Mismatched forward that has a strong, sturdy frame. Mainly an inside scorer that showed ability to face-up from mid-range area and also the top of the key. Mason rebounds, throws his body around and has improved as a finisher versus length.
Zion Pipkins, 6’2 CG - Cooz Elite (TX): Scoring combo with long arms. Exploded for over 30 points on opening night. Was very assertive with the ball in his hands, but still kept defenses honest with his passing so lanes were still open for him to attack.
Brayden Young, 6’9 C - Cooz Elite (TX): He’s gotten a lot better over the past year. Still raw but mobile, uses length to rebound and block shots. Adequate dunker-spot finisher but I like that he runs rim to rim and always an option in transition because he out-runs the opposing big.
TJ Burch, 6’1 CG - Max Levels Elite (TX): Max Levels’ weekend didn’t go as planned as the went 0-4 but they still have prospects. Burch provided a strong scoring punch and output, averaging over 20 ppg. Gets to the rim at will and an upper tier guard finisher in the national 2024 class. Shooting has gotten better and defensively guarded 94 feeet and was tenacious as an on-ball defender.
Tyran Mason, 6’6 Wing - Max Levels Elite (TX): Scoring wing prospect that has a lot of offensive skills. Mid-post scoring that can exploit size advantage. As a shooter, Mason can connect off the catch and run off screens. Fine positional size with big-time scoring prowess and upside is the reason his recruitment has gone up.
Other 2024 Notables
Jaxson Ford, 6’7 PF - Max Levels Elite
Jayce Spann, 6’2 CG - EAD
AJ Borden, 6’2 CG - Family Ties
Carter Benton, 6’4 SG - Tulsa Hawks
Taylor Thompson, 6’2 CG - Team Judah Nation
Jadyn Handy, 6’2 CG - AAO Flight
