Texas targets shine at Julys biggest hoops events

For college coaches and top hoops prospects, there probably isn't a more exciting, important time than July. Not only does the month include evaluation periods for college coaches trying to make some of their final moves while working towards eventually signing a top recruiting class, but it also includes the finals for the Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour circuits as well as many top camps. This past week, numerous top Texas targets turned heads at their respective events with Texas coaches up-close in attendance.

ADIDAS GAUNTLET FINALE

The versatility of Braxton Blackwell was on full display in Atlanta as he helped lead the Atlanta Celtics to a runner-up finish. Blackwell averaged 10.0 points per game on just 7.5 shots per game, and grabbed five or more rebounds in three of his four games. The four-star wing from Tennessee also had two games with three steals, three or more assists in three out of four games, and a block in three out of four games. Blackwell can fit a number of roles and play a number of positions on the floor, and appears to have played some of his best basketball of the grassroots cycle at one of its biggest events.

Five-star 2016 big man Jarrett Allen of St. Stephen's (Austin) put together a few monstrous performances. He had games of 25, 20, and 18 points (58.0 percent shooting at the event) and also games with 14, 13, and 10 rebounds while also averaging 3.0 blocks per contest. There's zero doubt that Allen truly is one of the best big men and prospects in the entire country.

Javin DeLaurier continued his rise as one of the best performers by averaging 13.0 points per game and 9.3 rebounds per game at the Adidas Finale. DeLaurier, a strong four-star in the Rivals150, once again earned rave reviews because of his non-stop motor and skill-set.

PEACH JAM

Cypress Lakes (Katy) 2016 five-star point guard De'Aaron Fox continues to make his case as the best lead guard in the country. At the Peach Jam, Fox, who visited Texas twice during recent months, stuffed the stat sheet each time he took the floor as the Houston Hoops advanced to the quarterfinals of the tournament before being knocked out.

Fox began the Peach Jam by dropping 28 points on Nike Pro Skills with eight rebounds, five assists, five steals, and two blocks. In his next three games, Fox scored 18, 18 and 19 points in an efficient manner, and dished out six, nine, and seven assists. In his final game of his Nike EYBL career, Fox scored 21 points in a loss to the St. Louis Eagles. The five-star guard finished circuit averaging 17.5 points per game on 48-percent shooting from the floor with 4.9 rebounds per game, 5.7 assists per game, and 2.7 steals per game. He continues to list Texas as one of the schools showing him constant attention and making him a priority. Fox's 2017 AAU teammate Jarred Vanderbilt was only able to play in two games, but did average 14.0 rebounds per contest in those two games, which was the highest of the event.

Of all the guards that competed in the Peach Jam, Irving MacArthur (Irving) 2016 combo guard Andrew Jones might have helped himself the most. The three-star prospect started the event with a bang in the form of a 30-point game against the Houston Hoops on 8-of-15 shooting (10-of-12 from the free throw line; 4-of-5 from deep), and ended his event with a 23-point performance. Schools took notice. Texas offered shortly after the event concluded, which his father confirmed to Orangebloods.com, and Virginia offered as well. Those two probably won't be the only ones to make moves on Jones either. AAU teammate and five-star big man Marques Bolden (DeSoto) was extremely efficient (22-of-37 shooting; 60-percent) in his four games.

P.J. Washington, a 2017 prospect playing up on the 17U circuit, helped carry the load for an undermanned Team Penny squad by scoring 13.8 points per game in five Peach Jam contests, including a 21-point game on 9-of-10 shooting. He shot 60-percent from the floor during the event, and was one of the best rebounders there (9.6 rebounds per game). Washington, who attends Findlay Prep but resides in Frisco, Texas, visited Texas recently. Another 2017 top prospect with a Texas offer, Trae Young, continued to prove he's one of the best shooters and scorers with a 31-point performance in MOKAN's final game. He averaged 20.0 points per game at the Peach Jam, and shot 40-percent from deep on 40 attempts. Young's 2017 teammate and, arguably the top 2017 prospect in the nation, Michael Porter Jr. also averaged 20.0 points per game.

Texas offer and Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, California) 2016 point guard Devearl Ramsey scored in double-digits in four of his five Peach Jam games (11.6 points per game on 52-percent shooting; 31-percent from three on 16 attempts), and led the event in steals per game at 3.2 thanks to his elite speed and quickness. Ramsey also dished out five or more assists in four of five contests.

6-4 combo guard DeJon Jarreau has watched his Rivals.com ranking move up the charts, and with good reason. The long, lean and athletic four-star, who Texas watched at the Peach Jam, didn't score a ton (8.2 points per game), but was a constant presence on the defensive end. Jarreau recently tweeted that he's going to trim his list soon.

UNDER ARMOUR ALL-AMERICA CAMP

Kameron McGusty put together one of the best performances of the camp when he erupted for 23 points on 7-of-10 shooting, but attempted just eight total field goals in the final two, shortened games. Still, the four-star guard's ability to score at all three levels was on display among some of the nation's best.

McNeil (Round Rock) 2017 shooting guard Victor Bailey had no issue getting shots up (13 or more in three of four games), and put together three double-digit scoring performances (10, 14, and 19 points). He finished shooting just 31-percent from the floor, but remained a confident and aggressive player. Bailey, a four-star prospect, also played with maybe the best motor of the event on defensive end and in the open floor.

There weren't many players more productive than 2017 five-star forward Billy Preston. The Dallas-area product scored in double-digits in all four of his games, including a 28-point performance on 8-of-15 shooting and a perfect 10-of-10 at the free throw line that also included 14 rebounds.