The 64th annual Whataburger Tournament commenced at Mansfield Legacy in 2022 and albeit talks of it being a down year, we saw quality play and performances. Missing was the likes of a FAB 50 ranked team like Duncanville or Richardson Lake Highlands, but we did see some of the better teams in the state that’ll make UIL playoff runs. Killeen Ellison was crowned tourney champions by defeating McKinney, South Grand Prairie, Keller and Arlington Martin in the championship.
Let’s begin with our Top 12 performers.
Jamyron Keller, 6’2 2023 Guard - Killeen Ellison: I have to start the list with the best player from the champion team! Keller, an Oklahoma State signee, was a problem all week. He's a chiseled frame guard that’s an explosive athlete. He got downhill, finished above the rim and through contact. Keller has improved as a shooter also, now being able to hit an open perimeter shot from time to time. The MVP of the event, Keller capped off a stellar string of performances in Mansfield with a 19-point, 9-rebound outing in the title game.
Jaland Lowe, 6’3 2023 PG - Fort Bend Marshall: The best player at the event. Plain and simple. Lowe was fantastic at the Whataburger Tournament. The lefty pg’s creativity with his handle and ability to change speeds allows him to score in a multitude of ways and the stat lines show. 43 points, 12 rebounds in an OT thriller vs Arlington Martin and 29 points, 8 assists vs Keller.
As impressive as the scoring was, I was more impressed by his ability to do what it takes to win. If that’s rebounding, if that’s really sharing the ball and giving up a good shot for a teammate to take a better shot, Lowe will do it. The Pitt signee led his FB Marshall squad to 3-1 mark and to third place. I won’t be a prisoner of the moment, but I do agree he did go up some tiers and in the discussion as far as best guards in the country.
Bryson McGlothin, 6’7 2024 SF - John Paul II: The change of scenery has been a beneficial one for Bryson. At JPII, we have been able to see McGlothin’s full offensive repertoire. Albeit his team going 0-3 at the Whataburger, Bryson averaged 22 points and 11 rebounds on 50 percent shooting from 3-point range. With strong positional size and the ability to really make shots off the catch, Bryson also has short term memory even when he misses consecutive shots. The confidence he plays with and the ability to impact the game on both ends (which defensively he hasn’t scratched the surface on how good he can be) has had high majors show intrigue as of late.
Percy Green, 6’3 2023 Guard - Del City: Del City was without its Oklahoma State signee in Brandon Garrison, but 2023 Percy Green gave people a name to leave with after watching them. A pure bucket getter that came out the blocks with a 29-point performance vs Birdville and a 24-point outing vs Keller.
Green can get hot quick. Either that’s from the three or utilizing his length on finishes. It’s a surprise to see the lack of recruitment he has though. A no brainer scholarship player that should see his recruitment uptick in 2023.
Jojo Moore, 6’5 2024 Wing - Leander Rouse: I saw JoJo a little bit in the summer but I got to really see what he brings to the table at the Whataburger. Plays the primary ball handler role for Leander and did a very solid job. He attacked going both ways, is quick getting off the floor and showed good balance and coordination when navigating in tight spaces. A willing passer that I wouldn’t say is a pg, but he‘s a playmaker on the wing that I believe Division 1 coaches should keep an eye on.
Jayden Juarez, 5’10 2023 PG - Arlington Martin: The Warrior’s path to the title game wasn’t an easy one. They defeated JPII, Plano & FB Marshall to get to the finals. All this without Ishmael Flores-Smith, 6-foot-6 forward that starts.
Juarez stepped up and was sometimes the best player on the court which was manned by multiple D1 players at the same time. Juarez has a flamethrower of a jumper which allowed him to attack hard closeouts and showed his wide array of crafty finishes vs length. 27 points vs JPII, 24 points vs FB Marshall, Juarez is a high energy guard that provides premium 3-point shooting.
Kordel Jefferson, 6’3 2023 CG - Arlington Martin: I have to acknowledge how the Houston signee performed. We talked about how Jaland Lowe does what it takes to win and Kordel is the same way. I saw him defend opposing team’s best player. Either if that was a guard, a wing, or center (yes a center). Jefferson was a worker on the defensive end, but also provided a scoring punch offensively. 22 points, four rebounds vs. JPII, 17 points, four rebounds vs FB Marshall, watching Jefferson perform, I definitely see how he can fit in with how U of H plays, as his game draws similarities to some of the Cougars' current and past guards under Kelvin Sampson.
Malek Archie, 6’3 2024 Guard - McKinney: Archie caught my eye in the summer with Max Levels Elite with his size, muscular frame and use of athleticism in the open court. At the Whataburger, he showed his physical gifts but also the skill set he's equipped with. He shouldered the scoring load for McKinney into a consolation championship. Completing step-back jumpers, finishes with the off hand in traffic, Archie was a consistent offensive contributor but also an active body on the glass. Versus Denton Guyer, he accumulated 21 points and 10 rebounds in a 51-43 win.
Jeremiah Green, 6’3 2025 CG - Denton Guyer: Guyer didn’t have the ideal finish at the Whataburger, but Green was one of the bright spots on the team. He's tough, strong, and aggressive with the ball in his hands. Green puts constant pressure on the defense with his style of play, but also has done a better job of surveying the floor. He still can get sloppy with the ball from time to time, but the effort and just the overall play shows. Comfortable as a pull-up shooter that can stop on a dime and rise up, he plays through contact on drives and competes on the defensive end and glass very well for a guard.
Rhett Shank, 6’4 2024 SG/SF- Keller: With the absence of 2024 guard Brooks Bahr and McNeese signee Parker Hannah, Shank took a lead role as Keller advanced to the semifinals of the Whataburger. If you haven’t seen Keller play, one thing it does is launch three after three after three. Shank has deep range on his jumper and has a short memory when it comes to misses. Shank landed all-tournament honors and few of his notable stat lines were his 18 points in the third place loss versus Marshall and in an overtime win versus Del City, Shank collected 19 points in a nail biter.
Justin McBride, 6’7 2023 Forward - Plano: Made a lot of sense as to why Oklahoma State head coach Mike Boynton was in the stands in Mansfield as he had three signees participating this past week. McBride is one of them as Justin was a matchup problem for his opponents. Post ups from the low block or mid-post, attacking his defender from the top off the key or connecting from a three off the catch, McBride was everywhere! The burly framed forward gave defenses headaches and showed a translatable offensive skill set that we will see work in Stillwater in due time.
Cam Carroll, 6’2 2025 CG - South Grand Prairie: A strong guard that can fill up the point column. Has improved as a shooter off the catch, effective on drives and finishes, and does a quality job advancing the ball up the court and creating fast pace offense. Carroll shows defensive prowess, too. He moves well laterally and can bump opposing guards with his size. Carroll is part of a premier 2025 guard crop in Texas.
2022 Whataburger Notable's
Cam Paul, 6’7 2025 Wing - South Grand Prairie
Austin Senters, 6’4 2025 Wing - John Paul II
King Grace, 6’3 2025 SG - Waxahachie
Steven Ramirez, 6’5 2025 Forward - Keller
Jordan Lowery, 6’2 2025 PG - Denton Guyer
Nikk Williams, 6’7 2023 Forward - Plano
Chris Catchings, 6’6 2024 Forward - FB Marshall
Deion Ware, 6’4 2023 Guard - Killeen Ellison
