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| Hampton, Peavy, Fatheree, Flores & Bush |
The southwest edition of the UA Next Combine Series rolled into Houston, Texas on Saturday and as has been the case in the 4 previous sessions there was an abundance of talent. This event was held at South Houston High School in South Houston and attracted 42 players from 6 states including: Texas, Louisiana, Illinois, Iowa, Delaware and Arkansas. The best player we saw all day was R.J. Hampton(6’3’/PG/2020/Little Elm, TX) who was clearly in a class by himself. Hampton all ready has D-I size at the PG position, but what really sets him apart is his skill set, fluidity and athleticism. Oh that’s not all, Hampton is a multi-level scorer who can create space for his own shot or make a play for a teammate. Hampton is supremely confident and his game reflects that. In fact, he was overheard several times proclaiming that scoring was “too easy,” and it was with his high IQ and ability to get to the rim at will. If I’m a college coach, Hampton is on my recruiting board right now and an offer is not far away! We were also super impressed with Micah Peavy(6’4”/combo guard/2020/Cibolo, TX). Peavy is an explosive athlete who excels at slashing to the basket. Although driving to the cup and a nifty spin move were his go to weapons, Peavy has the ability to create his own jump shot out to 19 feet. What’s most impressive is Peavy’s energy level, both offensively and defensively. Peavy’s motor is elite and his on-ball defense is a problem for his opponents. We look for Peavy to be playing D-I basketball in a few years.
Although the UA Next Combines are designed for 8th graders, an occasional 7thgrader will find their way into the events. Ruben Fatheree (6’8”/C/2021/Richmond, TX) is only a 7thgrader (only 13), but you would not have known that based on his level of play on Saturday. Fatheree, a big space eater, started slowly, but by the time the event concluded he had earned a lot of new fans. Besides his big frame, Fatheree does several nice things and displayed a lot of upside potential. The best part of his game right now is his willingness to set up on the low block, demand the ball and do the dirty work required by a big. Fatheree also does not mind physical play; he has a soft touch and the ability and to finish with contact. He’s also an excellent passer for a kid his size and does a great job with outleting the ball for easy transition buckets. Also, we were most impressed with Fatheree’s ability to make bonce passes in the lane to cutting players. Once he develops his footwork and adds some post moves, Fateree is going to be a problem! Look for Fatheree to get early D-I looks from local programs. Braelon Bush (5’6”/PG/2020/TX) was one of the smallest players at the event, but he was also one of the best players at the event. Despite his diminutive size, Bush is unafraid to attack the cup where he finishes more often than not. Bush is super quick, fast, and has an elite skill set that includes a tight and creative handle and the ability to change speeds and direction on a dime. Despite his size, Bush is explosive and able to finish in traffic. He can also knock down treys and he works well in screen and roll situations. If Bush gets a few more inches, watch out!
Brent Royal Jr. (6’3”/combo guard/2020/Saint Rose, LA) was another good-looking prospect. With good size for his position as only an 8thgrader, Royal has a chance. Royal’s strength, athleticism and solid frame allows Royal to muscle his way to the cup. A drive and dish threat, Royal’s ability to hit the one dribble pull-up is a nice contrast.