Recap: Houston Thanksgiving Jamboree Part 1

By Chad Groth

 

Houston, TX – In this two day event over the Thanksgiving feast weekend D1nation.com Houston Thanksgiving Jamboree showcased 11 high school teams as they hit the court at St. Thomas High School in Houston, TX.

 

The High school teams from not only Texas but Louisiana displayed some of the Houston Areas top talent which played in the inaugural event directed by Max Ivany, one of the top basketball scouts in the country.

 

Several players showcased their talents in front of a capacity crowd, college coaches and several scouts on a nice day in Texas to watch high school basketball.

College assistant coaches from Baylor, Louisville, LSU, Texas A & M, UTEP, Air Force, Lee College, Texas A & M Corpus Christi and Spring Hill College were all front row watching some of the areas top and talented recruits.

 

Former NBA coach John Lucas was also in attendance.

 

Lets look at some of the top performers during Friday’s match-ups.

 

Sharpstown: This young and upcoming team has a way to go but has potential to be good in the next few years. The guy that stepped up today was Raymond Elliott who led his team with 20 points against Houston Furr in the first game. Elliott is a fine shooter and will be one to watch in the 2013 class. Jaryan Coleman the 6 foot 6 forward also caught my eye with his ability to run the floor and defend on the block. Coleman is one with upside in the class of 2014.

 

Houston Furr: Bobby Reeves listed at 6 foot 8 has a chance to be good and is one to see in 2013. Reeves is a big body with low post skills and has interest already from Pepperdine, Texas State, Sam Houston and Texas San Antonio. Reeves led all scorers in game one with 24 points and 9 rebounds.

 

Damarkus Cormier also is one solid shooter but lacked defending in transition and the 6 foot 1 combo for 2013 has upside.

 

Houston Episcopal: This team was exciting to watch with 2013 guard Ken Williams who can really push the ball in transition and makes plays and 6 foot 4 Jamal Williams who is silky smooth wing that can pass the ball well, one nice young player in 2014.

 

Madison Prep (LA): 2013 forward Jarell Martin is a name to remember. The 6 foot 9 prospect has plenty of offers from college and is an elite high major prospect. Martin showed flashes of NBA moves on the block and runs the floor very well and has a basketball IQ to play at the next level. Baylor and Texas A & M were in the gym to watch Martin.

 

Brazosport: 2013 point guard DJ Griggs played well today being very effective with the ball and making plays. Griggs scored 16 points and the key to him playing at a high level will be his distributing the basketball. Griggs is strong and the 6’0 PG is gaining interest from South Florida, LSU, Providence, SMU and South Alabama. 2013 guard Jaleen Smith also is one to watch, scoring 15 points tonight played under control and knows how to play. Smith is a solid division I prospect and can shoot the ball with unlimited range. Smith also defends well in man to man and has a quick first step.

 

Houston St. Thomas: The host team and one to watch this season. Several players stood out tonight like Chase Brogna the 6 foot point guard that scored 15 points tonight and is one of the pure point guards I have watched this season. Brogna can shoot the ball with long range and is a tough defender.

 

Christian Sanders is the 6 foot 4 combo guard that signed to play college basketball with Johnny Dawkins and Stanford University. Dawkins has a steal in Sanders because he is a player that should step right in and impact his team with his shooting ability and basketball IQ. Sanders knows how to play and can pass with the best. Senior

 

Jeremy King at 6 foot 10 was very impressive tonight with several dunks in transition and is long in length. King has a list of schools that are interested such as UC Riverside, UNC Greensboro, Cal Poly and Tulsa, but that list should grown shortly as he may be a solid mid major plus.

 

 

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