Texas Hoops GASO JUCO/Prep Showcase: Inventory Risers

Persevering with our pre-season hoops protection, I made the journey to Dallas to soak up the GASO JUCO/Prep Showcase. Held on the beautiful Duncanville Fieldhouse, the JUCO/Prep Showcase blended over 50 JUCO’s and prep faculties from all through the nation underneath one roof with courts that made issues eeasily accessible to look at a number of video games without delay. Blue Zertuche, Michael Timmons, and the remainder of the GASO employees made issues seamless. 

Ballislife FAB 50 candidates Dynamic Prep (Texas) and Oak Cliff Religion Household (Texas) headline the group of prep groups with each coming off stellar 2024-25 campaigns. Dynamic Prep, led by consensus top-3 2027 Marcus Spears Jr., was runner-up within the Chipotle Nationals and can be competing in Time beyond regulation Elite this season. Oak Cliff Religion Household opted to go away the Texas UIL final season and received the EIBC Nationwide Championship final 12 months, and be part of the EYBL Scholastic League for the 2025-26 season. Numerous different prep and constitution faculties from inside the area made the journey to Duncanville, culminating with a loaded two day occasion:

Having already taken a have a look at the highest excessive seniors, the highest juniors, and the highest underclassmen, listed below are a few of the gamers who will see their inventory rise with their play on the 2025 GASO JUCO/Prep Showcase:

Gallagher Placide, 6’9, PF, Oak Cliff Religion Household (Texas), 2026

It’s onerous to place a participant heading to Wake Forest within the inventory risers, however individuals appear to overlook how proficient Gallagher Placide is. Ranked outdoors of the highest 75 by most main companies, Gallagher embodies every thing that you simply hope for out of a brand new age ahead. He has a dependable 3-point shot, is fluid sufficient to beat slower defenders off the dribble, and may make the most of his 225-pound body on the block to submit smaller defenders. Whereas there may be nonetheless loads of room for enchancment, when you toss in the truth that he can comprise each place on the ground for spurts defensively, it’s evident that the longer term Demon Deacons ahead continues to be fairly underrated. 

Mateo Rico, 7’1, C, New Wave Academy (Texas), 2026

The most important participant that the Texas Hoops GASO Prep Showcase needed to supply was Rico, who made a fair larger impression on the inside. Mateo confirmed off intriguing footwork on the block, made powerful catches out of choose and roll play, and saved performs alive on each ends of the court docket. The Colombian senior nonetheless wants refinement, however has most of the instruments that school coaches want of a developmental massive man.

Elton Smith, 6’9, C, Dynamic Prep (Texas), 2026

Whereas Marcus Spears Jr. receives many of the consideration, his frontcourt working mate Elton Smith confirmed that he’s a severe prospect in his personal proper. The bodily massive man was an impressive passer for a submit, seemed to soak up contact at any likelihood doable, and confirmed nice footwork within the low submit. The expert massive man holds D1 affords, however continues to be extensive open within the recruiting course of with no scarcity of alternatives for publicity at Dynamic Prep.

Tyson Heard, 6’2, PG, Texas Storm (Texas), 2026

In at present’s switch portal period, you’re seeing numerous highschool gamers decide to move to the D-2 stage fairly than wait late into the spring or the summer season following their senior campaigns to signal with a D-1 program. Tyson Heard is a type of guys. Heading to UT-Dallas, Heard will ought to convey a right away presence as an out of doors taking pictures menace, each off of the dribble and together with his toes set. The 31-point, 10-assist displaying he had within the opening recreation of the GASO Prep Showcase put everybody on discover how severe of a lead guard Heard is.

Macodou Diouf, 6’8, PF, Houston Xavier Academy (Texas), 2026

Coming off a state title final season, Macodou Diouf was in fixed assault mode on the GASO Prep Showcase. Diouf made numerous straight line drives dealing with the rack, performed by contact on the rim, and made performs together with his excessive stage of exercise on each ends. The Senegalese massive had some massive video games with One Time Legends on the Adidas 3SSB circuit and regardless of holding mid-major affords, is open to all suitors so far as recruitment.

Ian Parham, 6’5, PG/SG, Houston Good Imaginative and prescient Academy (Texas), 2026

Although I solely noticed a small pattern dimension, it was simple to see the tantalizing expertise that Ian Parham brings to the desk. In a position to play each guard positions, Parham has the wiggle in his recreation to create for himself/others, is a strong 3-point shooter, and makes use of his dimension to complete within the paint. Having already obtained Worldwide publicity enjoying for the Belize 18U, the combo guard brings excessive stage expertise to his subsequent vacation spot.