In today’s issue, we will take a look at the “Best of the Rest” from the Inaugural Reebok Showdown Tournament that was held the May 11-13^th at the Gateway YWCA in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

6’2 2015 Devante Saxon- Rabun Gap, Georgia- Rabun Gap High School: The talented combo guard clearly made a name for himself in Team Vision’s upset win over D One Sports. In the game against D One, he was scoring from multiple spots on the floor. He averaged 15.6 PPG but it was his ability to knock down perimeter jumpers and his quick step attacking the rim that made him difficult to contain. He has physically mature body and is solid in drawing contact and fouls while attacking the basket. He is an excellent free throw shooter and has the potential to become big time talent.

6’5 2013 Myles Marshall- Rabun Gap, Georgia- Rabun Gap High School: Marshal is an undersized PF, but the young man was consistent and a complete warrior on the boards the entire weekend. Marshall averaged a double-double as scored 19 PPG and 11 RPG. He was a rebounding machine as he did an excellent job of gaining position both offensively and defensively. He is a throwback to the term “garbage player” as he as a knack for being at the right place at the right time. He is tremendous around the basket as he finishes well against bigger and taller defenders. If he can expand his perimeter game out to 18 feet more consistently, he could become a solid D1 prospect at the lower tier schools.

6’6,  2013 Pajo Twagirayezu- Asheville, North Carolina- Asheville Christian Academy: The athletic WF is already gaining interest in mid major schools and with his blend of skill, basketball IQ and athleticism, it is not hard to figure out why! He averaged right at 10 PPG and almost 10 rebounds for the weekend.  Twagirayezu is from Rwanda and was a member of the Junior national team and just received an invite to play on the Rwanda National Team in a qualifying event in June and should return to AAU active with Team Vision during the “live period.” College coaches will love his intensity, passion and athleticism as a solid D1 prospect.

6’2 2014 PG Matthew Woods- Asheville, North Carolina- Asheville Christian Academy:  The long and slender PG from Team Vision is a true team facilitator and is more concerned about setting up this teammates than individual scoring. Averaged only 5 PPG but did have two games where he dished out 10 and 14 assists. Woods has a solid skill set, but it is his basketball IQ and understanding of the game that makes this young man an intriguing D1 prospect. He simply knows how to run a team efficiently and effectively in transition or in the half court set. Woods looks the part and with his long slender frame, he looks like he can add muscle and more height which will only make him more attractive to D1 college coaches.

6’5 2014 B.J. Hill- West Stanley, North Carolina- West Stanley High School: Hill is a hardnosed “blue collar” young man that played extremely hard on both ends of the court. He is fearless and it is aggressive attacking the rim. He had two games of double-double scoring and rebounding during the Reebok Showdown. He is a new member to the team, but his basketball IQ and understanding of the game allowed him to easily adjust to his new team and teammates. Clearly a player many lower tier D1 schools should continue to monitor on the next two years. He is fun to watch and his competitive spirit is refreshing.

6’7 2014 Coye Simmons- Winston-Salem, North Carolina- Winston-Salem Prep: Simmons is just learning how to play the game of basketball and without question, he is a quick learner! He only started playing basketball in the 7^th grade and the adjustments/improvements are impressive. This young man competes and competes hard! He is a man among boys in terms of rebounding. This young man wears a size 18 shoe and with his frame, he has plenty of growth in front of him. Mid majors that want to get a jump on an up and comer should quickly put his young man in their SIM CARD.

6’4  2014Ricky Council- Durham, North Carolina- Northern Durham High School: Council is a solid D1 prospect and mid majors are already He averaged 20 PPG and had a tournament high of 36 points in the final game. He is an athletic WG that has length, athleticism and bounce, but has the ability to score in bunches. In the 36 point performance, Council showcased his tremendous range by knocking down five 3 pointers. We first wrote about Council two years ago when he attended the NC Phenom 150 camp. We loved him then and even more so now! He has really diversified his overall game. He can score from the perimeter and score off the midrange, but is also very effective in attacking the rim. He is equally effective on the defensive end of the court. Look for his stock to continue to rise!

5’10 2014 Eddie Jackson- Fayetteville, North Carolina- Westover High School: Jackson is a quick and speedy scoring PG. He averaged 16.5 PPG and he too can score from multiple positions on the court. Unlike most scoring PG’s, he has developed a consistence 3 point shot, but even more of a solid midrange game. His speed and quickness are definitely his strongest attributes, but his ability to put points on the board quickly isn’t far behind. Look for the Fayetteville PG to climb the state rankings and become a solid D1 college PG prospect. Without question, this young man has game.

6’5 2015 Romeo Debnam- Franklinton, North Carolina- Frankinton High School: The best words to describes this young man’s game came from his AAU Coach Conley when he stated “Debham is a coaches dream!” In addition, Debham is a great example of the word “student/attitude” as he is an A/B honor roll student. The “high reward, low risk” Debham is a hard worker and plays with a high motor and even started on his local high school team. Debram is also still only 14 years old and has the potential to be 6’8 with his strong gene pool. Currently, Dehnam is more advanced defensively and is still a little raw on the offensive end of the court, but his midrange game is appealing. Another young player in the talented state of North Carolina to closely monitor and put in your SIM CARD.

5’9 2015 Darius Simmons- Raleigh, North Carolina- Garner High School: What Simmons lacks for in size, he more than makes up in heart, determination and effort! According to Coach Conley, “DK” is one of the toughest kids he has ever coached. He has a swagger that makes his 5’9 frame look like 6’9. He has never been intimidated by tough competition and he is a basketball junkie.” Without question, we tend to agree with Coach Conley that Simmons is one tough little PG. He is relentless on both ends of the court and has the confidence and cockiness to help him overcome any question concerning this size. He is definitely one to remember in the 2015 class for North Carolina.

6’0 Rob “Three” Whitfield- Raleigh, North Carolina- Garner High School: His nickname “ Three” tells the whole story. This young man can knock them down from downtown and may be one of the top shooters in the state for the 2015 class. Another young player with a good gene pool and don’t be surprised if you don’t read about this young man a few years down the road as a talented 6’4 SG by his junior year in high school.