This past May, we were able to watch Team Vision in the Reebok Showdown Tournament and finished tied for first place in pool play, but lost out on the point spread. That being said, we were impressed with the potential of Team Vision and members of its team. We thought 6’6 2013 WF Pajo Twagirayezu of Asheville Christian as a very intriguing prospect. Twagirayezu is an athletic WF that is already gaining interest by mid major schools and with his blend of skill, basketball IQ, and athleticism, it is not hard to figure out why! During the Reebok Showdown, he averaged a double-double with 10 PPG and 11 RPG. Back in May, we wrote the following, “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 activity with Team Vision during the “live period. College coaches will love his intensity, passion and athleticism as a solid D1 prospect.
Another player that caught our eye during the Reebok Tournament was 6’2 2015 Freshman Devante Saxon and 6’2 2014 PG Matthew Wood of Asheville Christian. Saxon was unable to play during the “live period” but Wood was stellar throughout the summer. Back in May, we wrote the following “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.”
Wow! What a July for Team Vision
We also thought 6’5 2013 Myles Marshal of Rabun Gap High School of Rabun Gap, Georgia had a chance to become a solid D1 prospect at the lower tier schools. We wrote “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.
Team Vision traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to participate in the Reebok Showdown Series July 13-15th. In the opening game, Team Vision lost a tough game by four points to the NJ Cyclones. 6’6 2013 WF Patjo Twagirayezu poured in a game high 24 points while the 6’2 PG Matthew Wood tallied 19 points. Next up for Team Vision was a solid win over the Brooklyn Badgers (NY) in which they won by 9 points. It was again the one-two punch of Wood and Twagirayezu that led the way as they scored 21 and 15 points respectively. 6’8 2013 PF Ethan Gills was a work horse by tallying 12 points and recorded 8 rebounds. In an exhibition game against E1T1 16U, Team Vision played 20 minutes after they earlier win but still pulled out the victory over a talented E1T1 16U team. Top performers were Matthew Woods ( 6’2 Point guard from Asheville Christian Academy 2014 class) had 17 points. He had to play all the minutes at the point guard. The backup guard was not available for this game. Patjo Twagirayezu ( 6’6 wing from Asheville Christian Academy 2013 class) with 22 points and Ethan Gills (6’8 power forward from Rabun Gap School, GA 2013 Class) took 2 charges and had 7 rebounds in the first half and we sat him for the remainder of the game to rest his sore ankle. Joseph Hank Gompers ( 6’3 wing from Asheville Christian Academy 2014 class) played well for us hitting 2 threes and playing lock down defense on their best wing player. Hank has a great upside. He was a star last year at North Asheville Christian Academy. Next up was a one point OT loss to South Jersey Select. Twagirayezu was outstanding once again by having a game high 25 points. He was effective off the dribble drive as he used his length and athleticism repeatedly to get to the rim, plus he was outstanding with the pull up jumper. 6’2 Matthew Woods poured in 18 points. 6’5 2013 PF Myles Marshal had 14 points and played bigger and stronger than his size. Marshal has a physically mature body and has excellent leaping ability. He plays with passion and purpose and is a blue collar worker on the offensive and defensive boards.
After participating in the Reebok Showdown, Team Vision traveled to Morgantown WV to play in the Hoop Group West Virginia Jam Fest. Team Vision opened up with a four point loss to Etobicoke Thunder of Canada. The opposing team simply had too much height and size, but the 6’2 Matthew Woods continued his outstanding play with 24 points. 6’7 Timothy Williams of Asheville High School got into the act with 18 points but threw down six dunks with three of him that brought the house down! In addition, Williams grabbed eight rebounds. Team Vision rebounded well and beat Mountain Cat by 18 points in a total team effort. Twagirayezu and Woods poured into 22 and 18 points respectively while 6’8 PF Ethan Gills had 15 points and 6 rebounds. 5’8 SG Ben Phelps of Asheville Christian had four 3 pointers but took four charges in the game for an outstanding defensive performance. Unfortunately, Team Vision dropped the next game to Maryland United by eight. Top performers were Ben Phelps (5’8 Shooting guard from Asheville Christian Academy 2013 Class) had 17 points, Matthew Woods ( 6’2 Point guard from Asheville Christian Academy 2014 class) he had 13 points, Patjo Twagirayezu ( 6’6 wing from Asheville Christian Academy 2013 class) had 12 points, Ethan Gillis (6’8 power forward from Rabun Gap School, GA 2013 Class) had 9 points with 6 rebounds before rolling his ankle again.
Big Shots Road to The Duel Certified
July 26-27th
Game Highlights: Team Vision vs SAS
Lost by 3. Top performers were Matthew Woods ( 6’2 Point guard from Asheville Christian Academy 2014 class) he had 18 points, Patjo Twagirayezu ( 6’6 wing from Asheville Christian Academy 2013 class) , Patjo Twagirayezu (6’6 wing from Asheville Christian Academy 2013 class) had 18 points with 6 rebounds.
Game Highlights: Team Vision vs BWSL Evolve
Won game 2 in at the buzzer. Top Performers were Matthew Woods ( 6’2 Point guard from Asheville Christian Academy 2014 class) he had 19 points. He hit the game winning step back three pointer at the buzzer, Patjo Twagirayezu ( 6’6 wing from Asheville Christian Academy 2013 class) had 12 points and top big time game changing blocks. Ben Phelps (5’8 Shooting guard from Asheville Christian Academy 2013 Class) had 4 three pointers and again lead the team in charges taken.
Game Highlights:Team Vision vs VA Rapids
Won game by 13. Top Performers Patjo Twagirayezu (6’6 wing from Asheville Christian Academy 2013 class) had 23 points, Ethan Gillis (6’8 power forward from Rabun Gap School, GA 2013 Class) had his best game with 18 points and 9 rebounds, Matthew Woods ( 6’2 Point guard from Asheville Christian Academy 2014 class) he had 17 points, Timothy Williams(6’7 post from Asheville High School 2013 Class) had 13 points and 4 blocks,
Big Shots Duel
July 28-29th
Game Highlights: Team Vision vs DC Assault
Lost game by 18 Top Performers were Matthew Woods ( 6’2 Point guard from Asheville Christian Academy 2014 class) he had 11 points, Patjo Twagirayezu ( 6’6 wing from Asheville Christian Academy 2013 class) 11 points, Ben Phelps (5’8 Shooting guard from Asheville Christian Academy 2013 Class) 11 points .
Game Highlights: Team Vision Vs East Coast Fusion
Won game by 4. Top performers were Patjo Twagirayezu (6’6 wing from Asheville Christian Academy 2013 class) had 26 points, Matthew Woods ( 6’2 Point guard from Asheville Christian Academy 2014 class) he had 20 points, Ben Phelps (5’8 Shooting guard from Asheville Christian Academy 2013 Class) 16 points, Collin Boyd ( 6’5 post Asheville Christian Academy 2013 Class) had his best game with 6 points and 9 rebound.
Game Highlights: Team Vision vs Team Takeover
Lost game by 13. Top Performers Ben Phelps (5’8 Shooting guard from Asheville Christian Academy 2013 Class) 16 points, Matthew Woods ( 6’2 Point guard from Asheville Christian Academy 2014 class) he had 11 points.
Team Vision Player Highlights:
6’6 2013 WF Patjo Twagirayezu: Getting interest from ETSU, Princeton, NC A&T and Winthrop
6’2 2014 PG Matthews Woods: Getting interest from Elon, ETSU, George Mason, Garner Road, College of Charleston
6’8 2013 PF Ethan Gills: Getting interest from NC A& T, Mercer and Belmont Abby
5’8 2013 SG Ben Phelps: Getting interest from D2 schools and especially D3 schools
6’7 PF 2013 Timothy Williams: Getting interest from Charleston University