Mission Concepcion Sports Park served as the venue for the first ever AlamoCityHoopsNEXT Middle School Showcase Combine, and there were plenty of impressive 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who put their skills on display.

The combine schedule consisted of skill testing, defensive instruction, and competitive 5 on 5 action. Our staff got an excellent first hand glimpse at some of the top young talent representing the Texas Tri-Regions. 

 

 

The biggest body in the entire combine. Showed he could play down low and used his frame for advantage. On occasion came out to the perimeter and showed range out to about 15-16 feet. Development on his footwork, and fully rounding into shape will only make him an even more intriguing prospect.

 

Good build, good length, lean frame. Showed fluidity in getting up and down the court, running on the wings, and filling the lanes. Multiple times in transition showed solid fundamentals by finishing and attacking the hoop.

 

Small, quick point guard with an explosive first step, and used it to constantly get into the lane. Looked for open teammates. Defensive minded, great effort, who had no issues guarding opposing guards.

 

Mostly played on the perimeter, and was not afraid to fire away. Showed good range, beyond the 3pt arc and also nailed some long mid range jumpers.

Had a nasty streak on the floor, played with a bulldog mentality. Thick frame that moved very quick and once coming downhill he wasn't stopping. Scored by getting into the paint and used a nice mid range touch as well. Got after it on defense.

Projects to be a true low post player, takes up a good amount of space down low, with a wide upper body. Like most big men, does not mind getting dirty and physical. From in close will score and clean the glass. Plenty of upside in this one.

Had a nice soft touch from mid-range. High energy, was all over the court showing off his athleticism. At 5'8", has good length. More consistency from long range will be a good improvement.

Looked like a gazelle in the open court. Above average ball handler who could hurt you in multiple ways. Either by weaving his way through traffic or pulling up from the perimeter to use his jumper.

For a 7th grader, very good ball handler who showed a flurry of moves. He didn't stop there, he punctuated his move by finishing, whether it be from the perimeter of getting in close. On several occasions the youngster showed touch from 10-15 feet.

Showed very good aggressiveness on the offensive end in getting to the hole and finishing. Another quality athlete who went full throttle and did not lack energy.

Pint size guard who was on from the outside. Was hitting buckets from mid-range all the way out beyond the arc.

Scored in multiple ways, and was not shy about asserting himself in 5 on 5 action. In close, in transition, and from outside, Nava opened eyes with his ability to put the ball in the hole.

An all around very heady player. Can hit the jump shot from any part of the floor, and worked to get open, consistently finding holes in the defense. Showed advanced skill in being able to attack off the dribble and break down defenders. On the other end, showed maturity and good defensive IQ by knowing when to rotate and bring help on defense.

One of the better deep shooters in the entire combine. In one game, hit two three pointers and a long two pointer in the matter of 3-4 possessions. Shoots with total confidence and is a threat from outside every time he luanches.

 

Starred as a true floor general. Only a 6th grader, but was consistently getting his team into an offensive set and looked to set up and facilitate as a true point guard.

 

Tough, hard nosed kid who was not afraid to be physical. Rotated between the wing and low post, showed sound fundamentals by finishing with both hands. Constantly kept working and moving without the ball.

Listed at 5'7", but appears taller and could very well be 5'9", only a 6th grader. Long, lanky, baller who is very mature on the court for his age. Knows how to hand the ball, attack with it and was connecting from outside.

Extremely athletic guard/wing, who was flying up and down the court, very good ball handler. Was a very tough match-up for almost everyone, when not attacking in the lane, would rely on his outside shot that stretched beyond the 3-point line. At this level, has extraordinary court vision and had no reservations about finding the open man and making the extra pass.

 

Long athletic youngster who has another gear and excels when running the wing. Used his athleticism to attack the hoop and then showed he will finish running full speed, or in the half-court set.

Was a part of a very solid group of talented kids repping the Austin and Cen-Tex area. Smart player who worked hard to get open and was always on the move. Connected, with the ability to drain it baseline extended and from the wing. Has a natural feel for the game.

Wirey 7th grader who played tough and hard nosed. Many times in traffic or in the lane, Xiang found a way to simply put the ball in the hole. Quiet young kid who just went about his business, played and got results.

Very versatile, played both inside and out. Looked comfortable playing with his back to the basket, would then be on the wing or attack from the top of the key off the dribble, or by using his perimeter game. South Texas was repped very well and Yebra will be a player reppin' that part of the Tri-Regions.

The small 6th grader backed up his performance with a big game. Not only did he show he has good handles in handling the rock, but he had range beyond the three point line and did not lack any confidence in knocking them down.

 

Left people with oooh's and awww's on multiple occasions. All around, very talented young man who has an advanced skill set. Was virtually unstoppable when penetrating and knifing his was to the rack. His ball handling would cause defenders to back off and he made them pay with his long distance range. Has a varsity body already and oozes potential of playing beyond the high school scene.

Was lighting up the stat sheets from far and close. Had two and 1's on nearly back to back possessions, and was serving up daggers from beyond the arc. Has nice form with his left handed stroke, was one of the better shooters from deep at the Showcase. His ball handling skills also let him facilitate, and make him much tougher to guard as he'll use it to get by defenders into the lane and score.

The 8th grader has that overdrive gear where he turns on the jet. Impressive ball handling ability and played smart. Did not force the issue or over-dribble. He showed great recognition on knowing when to pull up from mid-range, attack, or pull it out and set up the offense.