Pro Skills came storming out of the gates in 2018, winning their first four games in an impressive first session which included wins against in-state rivals Drive Nation and Houston Hoops. Three of those wins came by three points or less, so it was clear that Pro Skills was going to come back down to earth. They had an up-and-down remainder of the season, finishing 9-7 behind one of the most balanced rotations on the circuit. They’re 4-8 against Peach Jam contenders with six of those games decided by six points or less. To put it bluntly, one glance through Pro Skills’ season results and statistics makes it clear talented enough to compete with anyone. They will, however, need to be on their very best against their Pool D competition. They’ve only played Team CP3 (NC) in their pool, and they played them to the wire, so it’s going to be very fun to watch Pro Skills’ compete in Mid-July.

Pro Skills does not have a star, but that’s what makes them so good. Head coach Jeff Webster plays nine guys in his rotation, with his son Justin Webster (12.9 PPG) leading them in scoring. Webster is the only member of the lineup with Peach Jam experience (2016), so his leadership will be crucial All nine rotation players put up at least four points a game on average, with highly-underrated juniors J’Wan Roberts (10.7 PPG) and Tylan Pope (10.2 PPG) putting up double-figures. Throw in true point guard Ja’Mare Redus, who averaged 8.2 points, 4.9 assists and 3.6 rebounds, and you have four players that can massively impact a game on both ends of the floor. They are a hard team to prepare for due to their balance, and they have more than enough size and athleticism to give Pool D fits.

Webster (247 3-star) and Redus lead the backcourt, with the former being a three-year EYBL veteran. As mentioned before, Webster’s experience and leadership is going to go a long ways in July, as will Redus’ ability to playmake. The 6-foot junior averaged a team-high 1.6 steals per game, and dictates the offense with a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Redus shoots 80% from the line, while Webster sits at 85%, a trait of their games that will come in handy in close games. 6-foot-6 junior Jordan Wright had a rock-solid spring, putting up averages of 9.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 steals. Wright (247 3-star) is capable of taking over a game offensively, and is being recruited by several high-major programs. The five-man rotation is rounded out by Jordyn Adams and Norris Williams II. Adams (6.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG started to come into his own in the latter half of the season, and he should be a weapon off the bench after an active June. Williams (4.9 PPG) is the second true point guard on the roster, is a pesky defender (1.1 SPG) and shoots the highest percentage on a team that struggles from distance (32.1).

Pro Skills’ frontcourt goes four deep. Roberts and Pope lead the way, and both undersized forwards enjoyed eye-opening springs. Roberts will enter Peach Jam as one of the top defenders on the circuit, averaging 1.9 blocks per game including Defensive Player of the Session in Dallas. Roberts (7.7 RPG) and Pope (5.6 RPG) lead Pro Skills in rebounding, and they’ll need to continue that efficiency in order to have success in pool play. Pope, a product of Franklinton (LA) high school, picked up an offer from Baylor this spring, and he should continue to see high-major offers roll in with a strong July. Junior big men Sama’zha Hart (4.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG) and Moses Ngodock (3.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG) come off the bench for Pro Skills, and are tasked with doing the dirty work. Hart is committed to Stephen F. Austin, while Ngodock is considered a mid-major prospect. This rotation doesn’t have ideal size, but they make up for it with their length and athleticism. If Pro Skills expects to advance, they need Roberts and Pope to be at their best.

Pro Skills missed out on Peach Jam last season, and they’ll be looking to make some noise in their return. They match up very well with their pool play opponents, but they’ll have to come up with answers on the interior for the Renaissance’s Kofi Cockburn and the City Rocks’ Isaiah Stewart. 12 of their 16 games were against Peach Jam qualifiers, so Pro Skills will be as battle-tested as any program at Peach Jam. This Pro Skills’ team is just that - a team. If each member of this unit shows up and plays their role, bracket play is certainly not out of the question. Wins and losses aside, each and every member of Pro Skills will benefit from being on the biggest stage in grassroots basketball.