The 2017 annual NY2LA Sports Lone Star Invitational came to a close on Sunday. With NY2LA Association play kicking off in the 16U Division, a number of players emerged as can’t-miss prospects heading into Session 2, which takes place in Minneapolis this weekend. Here’s a quick look at 15 standouts from this past weekend in Texas…

SEE ALSO
NY2LA LONE STAR INVITATIONAL WEEKEND RECAP - 17U OPEN DIVISION
NY2LA LONE STAR INVITATIONAL WEEKEND RECAP – 17U ASSOCIATION
NY2LA LONE STAR INVITATIONAL WEEKEND RECAP – 16U ASSOCIATION
NY2LA LONE STAR INVITATIONAL WEEKEND RECAP – 15U ASSOCIATION

16U NY2LA BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION SESSION 1 TOP PERFORMERS 
Harlond Beverly – 2019 – SG – REACH Legends
Beverly has big upside and flashed that all weekend long. A 6-foot-4 sophomore that is one of the best offensive creating guards in the NY2LA Association, Beverly put on a show at times in Dallas. Beverly is a dynamic rim attacker that can finish in traffic. He plays with great body control and makes double-clutch or off balance lay ins look too easy. His shooting stroke was a bit of a pleasant surprise as well. Beverly could pull-up from deep and connect off the bounce. Considering his size and play making ability, if Beverly can round out the other parts of his game, he’ll be a heavily pursued prospect over the next year plus. 

DJ Carton – 2019 – PG – Quad City Elite
Arguably the top performer over the weekend, Carton emerged as the headliner of the 16U Division. Picking up an offer from IUPUI, Carton impressed every coach who sat down and gave him a look. The 6-foot-1 point guard is unique in the sense that he does a little bit of everything. Carton scores the ball at a high rate from all three levels, he’s a facilitator and floor general. You’ll see Carton get on the offensive and defensive glass, play stout perimeter defense, and even chase down shots in transition. Carton is also much more athletic than expected and can play above the rim. He’s picked up interest from Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin this spring. A ton of mid-majors have started to inquire as well. 

Jaheim Holden – 2019 – PG – All-In Athletics
Holden was a big time scorer in Dallas. Three times he hit 22 points or more as All-In Athletics had a very successful weekend. A kid that takes and makes a lot of shots, Holden came on last year as one of the top sleepers in the Midwest. A fearless competitor, Holden doesn’t let his size hold him back on the floor. He can also live in the paint, using great touch on his running floater over the top of the defense. 

Jackson Molstead – 2019 – PG – Martin Bros. 
The speed and the mid-range game of Molstead really sets him apart from other point guards. Molstead has great handles and has the ball on a string. His pull-up jumper is lighting quick and defenders often can’t react fast enough to get an adequate challenge. A lights out shooter, Molstead was draining shots all weekend long from mid and 3-point range. Also a terrific drive and dish point guard, Molstead does a good job of drawing defenders and dropping off passes to his bigs. When Molstead has the ball in his hands, you feel pretty good about your chances of getting at least two points. 

Donovan Moore – 2019 – G – Illinois Irish Elite
Moore looks like a possible high major talent as he continues to rise this spring. The sophomore guard has intriguing length, athleticism, and size. Combined with his ability to score and create shots at a high level, Moore is attracting plenty of Division 1 attention this spring. Moore can score at all three levels and is dangerous when left open on the perimeter. He gets after it defensively and uses his physical abilities to really rattle opposing ball handlers. Still an unknown commodity, Moore might be the best prospect in the 16U division when you factor in upside. 

Cole Nau – 2019 – PG – Ray Allen Select
Schools looking for a point guard who will make the players around him better, look no further. When Nau is on the floor, the game is just different. He knows the offense like the back of his hand, knows his teammates strengths/weaknesses, and has a terrific feel for what play needs to be made and when. When you witness the ball movement his team plays with when he’s running the show, you just see that this is a kid that gets the point guard position. Nau can also get his own on offense too. He’s a deadly 3-point shooter and quick enough to blow by people to the rim. This is a prospect that will start to garner more serious Division 1 attention probably later in his career. 

Solomon Oraegbu – 2019 – SG – Made Men
Oraegbu had a couple of double figure performances over the weekend. The 6-foot-2 sophomore came up big in a win over Colorado Premier with a game-high 18 points to cap off the weekend. A kid that defends multiple positions and rebounds well for his size, Oraegbu contributes across the board. He’s a good 3-point shooter, but also puts the ball on the deck and challenges people around the rim. 

Tristian Pratt – 2019 – SF – The Force
Impressive physically, Pratt is a 6-foot-4 point forward with good size, strength, and athleticism. He’s got a ways to go offensively, but Pratt does a lot of other things well. He can handle the ball in transition and passes well for his size. Pratt was often seen grabbing rebounds and going coast-to-coast. Pratt protects the rim well and got his hands on a number of shot attempts and altered even more. A high motor player, Pratt gets up and down the floor and isn’t afraid of the dirty work on the interior. If he can improve his shooting stroke and be more of a threat from the perimeter, we like where he could potentially be in a year or two. 

16U NY2LA BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION SESSION 1 STOCK BOOSTERS 
Deonte Billups – 2019 – G/F – Quad City Elite
Really liked the slashing and 3-point shooting ability of Billups. He’s a kid that can stretch the floor and shot very well from beyond the arc. He’s also athletic and strong enough to deliver a beating at the rim and score over bigger defenders. A prospect that definitely earned some Division 1 looks in Dallas, Billups had coaches talking. A 6-foot-3 wing that looks like he’ll definitely fill out and grow over the next year, Billups is a name we could hear a lot in the future. 

Deandre Carter – 2019 – PG – Grand Rapids Storm
Carter played some strong stretches of basketball over the weekend. An excellent mid-range shooter, Carter creates his own shot with ease. He’s very quick on the ball and created a lot of separation against some very talented defenders. Carter also looked to constantly push in transition and just blew by people up the floor to get to the rim. Carter impressed with his ability to play fast, but still be under control. 

Collin Dietz – 2019 – SF – Illinois Irish Elite
It’s hard to put labels on Dietz. All we know is that he produces and wins. Dietz came up as more of a glue guy, but he seems to be finding himself offensively. At 6-foot-6, Dietz could develop into a stretch swingman, but he’s also got some tools with the ball in his hands. The other parts of his game haven’t vanished either. He’s still a hustle player that gives his all on the glass and gets after it defensively. Dietz may just end up being a player you don’t know where you want to put him at the next level, you just know you want him.

Justin Eagins – 2019 – SG – Kessel Heat Black
Eagins continues to boost his stock this spring. A terrific isolation scorer, Eagins will go 1-on-1 and just challenge defenders to stop him. Eagins was hitting some tough, off-balance shots throughout the weekend. He’s about 6-foot-1, but plays longer and bigger. Eagins ability to create his own shot and leave defenders in the dust has been noticeable this spring. He did it again on Sunday, not backing down from some quality defenders and making it rain from mid and 3-point range.

Carrington McCaskill – 2019 – PF – REACH Legends
McCaskill had some monstrous plays in Dallas. A huge bright spot for his team, McCaskill was extremely active. The 6-foot-6 forward plays much bigger than his size. A strong shot blocking presence, McCaskill gets off the floor quickly and times shots perfectly. On offense, McCaskill hit the offensive glass and even threw down an impressive one-hand tip slam Saturday night. McCaskill also expanded his range and knocked down a couple of jumpers from 10-12 feet. In a league short on bigs, McCaskill emerged as one of the top interior presences after his efforts last weekend.

Derek Techam – 2019 – PG – Minnesota Comets
Techam is a reliable 3-point shooter and was a difference maker for the Minnesota Comets in Dallas. The 5-foot-11 guard is a player you can’t leave on the perimeter. A pass-first point guard, Techam did a nice job of involving his teammates and playing through the flow of the game. Techam doesn’t usually put up big numbers, but he’s an efficient scorer that just breaks the backs of his opponents with a high shooting percentage. 

Andre White – 2019 – PG – All-In Athletics 
White is a super quick and electric guard with excellent handles. He can shake and bake his way to the rim as White has the ball on a string. Even simple little head fakes or in and out dribbles were throwing the defense off course over the weekend. A high volume scorer from the point guard position, White just brings a different element of speed to the game. Defenders have to know where he is at all times, whether that’s in the half court and especially in transition.