The NY2LA Sports Lone Star Invitational in Dallas, Texas was loaded with talent at multiple age groups. Regardless of the court there was bound to be talented and high level matchups throughout the weekend. We continue our coverage by taking a look at some of the elite performers regardless of the age group…
Note - Not listed in any particular order - This is not an exclusive list
2022 6’5 Kam Craft - Meanstreets 17U EYBL
Kam Craft continues to see his stock rise after another impressive weekend scoring the basketball for Meanstreets. One of the top shooters in his class nationally, Craft has shown an improved handle, able to create space off the bounce to get his shot off. He does a great job of moving without the ball to get open and in catch and shoot he is close to automatic and gets great elevation on his jumper. Craft also had some nice transition finishes and even put down a dunk in traffic. Looks the part of a legit top 50 prospect nationally and should see a major rise when rankings are updated for the class of 2022.
2022 6’4 Arterio Morris - Dallas Showtyme 17U
Arterio Morris is an electric scoring point guard who more than backed up his 5 star rating at NY2LA Lone Star Classic. He has explosive athleticism to finish highlight dunks in traffic, 1 on 1 breakdown game to create space on the perimeter and showed the ability to hit tough shots over defenders. Although he is wired to score, Morris also showed a nice feel and vision, making some impressive passes when drawing the attention of the defense. Morris currently lists Texas, Georgia, Oregon, Kansas and Florida as his final 5 schools he is considering.
2022 6’7 Anthony Black - 3D Empire 17U NY2LA
Anthony Black is a big time prospect out of Texas and continued to stamp his name among the elite nationally at the Lone Star Classic. At 6’7, Black is at his best on the ball with great feel and vision to see over the defense. He can get to the rim and finish in traffic, knock down jumpers, and uses his size to impact the game on the defensive end. Black scored 20 points to lead his 3D Empire squad to a close win in a battle with #1 ranked Phenom University EYBl on Saturday night.
2022 6’3 PJ Haggerty - Houston Superstars 17U
PJ Haggerty is a smooth operating Point Guard who had a standout weekend for Houston Superstars. Haggerty plays with great pace getting to his spots and consistently makes the right reads in pick and roll game for his team. He can get into the paint and finish with a soft touch around the basket and hit some big time jumpers in crunch time. Haggerty is a true floor general and legit D1 prospect.
2023 6’10 Owen Freeman – Mid-Pro Academy 16U NY2LA
Owen Freeman was dominant over the weekend as part of a loaded Midpro Academy 16U group, helping lead them to an undefeated record at the Lone Star Classic. At 6’10 he controlled the paint on both ends of the floor - blocking shots, finishing at the rim and grabbing boards. Freeman has great hands and footwork around the basket, the athleticism to play above the rim and knocked down a couple jumpers to add to a very impressive performance. Already holding an early offer from Illinois, look for Freeman to be a hot commodity at the high major level over the next year.
2022 6’5 Leon Bond - JH1 Elite 17U NY2LA
Leon Bond can do it all and showed off his full game once again in Dallas for JH1 Elite. At 6’5 with great length and good defensive instincts he can guard all 5 positions on the floor. Offensively he is an aggressive scorer and saw time as the primary ball handler for his team over the weekend - getting to the rim off the bounce with explosive finishes and showing off a nice midrange game. Bond continues to be a stock riser nationally and was outstanding once again at the Lone Star Classic.
2022 6’3 Seth Trimble - Phenom University 17U EYBL
Seth Trimble put together yet another good weekend for Phenom University. He controls the game from the Point Guard position, getting his team into sets, knowing when to look for his own offense and when to get his teammates involved. He is able to finish at the rim through contact with great body control, footwork and explosive leaping ability. Trimble has shown major improvement in consistency with his jumper and elevated for some midrange jumpers that will absolutely translate to higher levels of basketball. Trimble recently added offers from North Carolina and Michigan and is trending towards a potential 5 star recruit when rankings are updated.
2022 6’5 Cason Wallace - Pro Skills 17U EYBL
Cason Wallace was the best defender I saw at the Lone Star Classic. At 6’5 he has long arms, quick feet and hands, and a mentality on the defensive end that college coaches will love. He can switch everything and took on the challenge in a matchup with Leon Bond. Wallace creates a ton of transition opportunities for his team and excels in the open floor. Offensively he was able to finish above the rim and hit tough shots, finishing with 19 points on Friday night.
2022 7’0 Kel’el Ware - All Arkansas Red 17U
Kel’el Ware was the best rim protector in Dallas over the weekend. A legit 7 footer, Ware has a huge wingspan and good timing defensively to block and alter shots in the paint. He has a quick second jump and did a good job of controlling the glass on both ends of the floor. Ware also flashed the ability to stretch the floor offensively, knocking down a smooth three from the top of the key. As he continues to polish his offensive game, Ware has a chance to be a major contributor at the high major level.
2023 6’6 Ty Pence – Mid-Pro Academy 16U NY2LA
Ty Pence has been outstanding this spring on the NY2LA circuit for a very talented MidPro Academy 2023 group. At close to 6’6, Pence can really shoot it with great mechanics and a soft touch. He has improved his handle and showed good feel in pick and roll as a distributor. Pence is also an explosive athlete who finished above the rim with highlight dunks on lobs, and attacking the rim. A sure fire High Major prospect, look for Pence to see his recruitment take off in July.
2023 6’2 Darrin Ames - Mac Irvin Fire 16U EYBL
Mac Irvin Fire guard Darrin Ames is a skilled, score-first point guard with a deep bag of moves to create his own offense. He was impossible to stay in front of for opposing defenders, with seemingly endless counters off the dribble. Ames was able to get into the paint and finish at the rim - including an and-one dunk in traffic - and create space to get his jumper off on the perimeter.