Top Americans (excluding recent MC Cup pros)

[jokrswylde]

There is a big difference between current top US players and those who are the best chance of breaking through to the top levels of pool.

I agree that Shane Wolford is on that list. I think he is Mosconi Cup material already, and that in the very near future he'll be one of the stronger members on the team.

On the Wire Creative Media (Ra Hanna) has been running Junior International Championships (JIC) for a couple of years now. I know three 13-14 years olds that are playing pretty strong pool right now. One of the 13 year olds I train with regularly. Last time we got together we played 4 sets of 9 ball, he split sets and games with me. I wasn't dogging it. He played good, like over 700 speed good. He doesn't look like a kid, he looks like an 800 Fargo that leaks off a few safeties or shots here and there. It's pretty darn cool to see. I trained with another of the 13 years olds two months ago and his performance was similarly spectacular. And I know Oscar is working with the 14 year old and that kid is playing super strong.

I think the JR players are our best chance of having a competitive group in the US, and the JIC is the best chance of getting them the opportunity to develop. Those who are serious about helping should follow On the Wire Creative Media and maybe participate and help support these events.

That is pretty dang cool. The next question, to me, is how do we best nurture these kids to continue their development? I think it is awesome that they have such a good professional example to train with regularly. Kudos sir! I will check out on the wire for sure!

 

[PoolBum]

Basically semi-retired. Plays a few events but not a full-timer any more. Game is a little 'flat'. Pun intended.

I don't know, I always thought Max was a pretty well-rounded player. For some reason though whenever I tried to tell him that he wouldn't believe me.

 

[Chili Palmer]

For juniors, I've seen this young man play and he can shoot lights out, he'll be going places.

 

[Chili Palmer]

There is a big difference between current top US players and those who are the best chance of breaking through to the top levels of pool.

I agree that Shane Wolford is on that list. I think he is Mosconi Cup material already, and that in the very near future he'll be one of the stronger members on the team.

On the Wire Creative Media (Ra Hanna) has been running Junior International Championships (JIC) for a couple of years now. I know three 13-14 years olds that are playing pretty strong pool right now. One of the 13 year olds I train with regularly. Last time we got together we played 4 sets of 9 ball, he split sets and games with me. I wasn't dogging it. He played good, like over 700 speed good. He doesn't look like a kid, he looks like an 800 Fargo that leaks off a few safeties or shots here and there. It's pretty darn cool to see. I trained with another of the 13 years olds two months ago and his performance was similarly spectacular. And I know Oscar is working with the 14 year old and that kid is playing super strong.

I think the JR players are our best chance of having a competitive group in the US, and the JIC is the best chance of getting them the opportunity to develop. Those who are serious about helping should follow On the Wire Creative Media and maybe participate and help support these events.

LOL, I searched and didn't find Eddie's name but I'm assuming he is one of the players you're referencing? I watched him in Wyoming during the 2021 Energy City Classic. I believe he works with Tanner Pruess.

 

[alphadog]

I don't know, I always thought Max was a pretty well-rounded player. For some reason though whenever I tried to tell him that he wouldn't believe me.

You are trying too hard

 

[PoolBum]

You are trying too hard

What on earth are you talking about?

 

[9BallKY]

I know a young player who plays well over 700 speed on a bar box and only recently started playing some of the junior tournaments. His 9ft game is lacking some but he has never really played on a 9ft much until recently. He recently lost a set race to 15 hill hill to a well known pro. He was only getting the break.

 

[Chili Palmer]

I know a young player who plays well over 700 speed on a bar box and only recently started playing some of the junior tournaments. His 9ft game is lacking some but he has never really played on a 9ft much until recently. He recently lost a set race to 15 hill hill to a well known pro. He was only getting the break.

Juniors are where it's at. Frankly, if anyone over 18 is even close to pro-level then the hard-core pool followers would know of them and I don't see too many people being talked about. Seems we missed a generation or two, hopefully, the recent interest in juniors starts to build a good base.

 

[hang-the-9]

There is a kid I think maybe just turned 20 maybe younger, that is in the 700s Fargo, and probably can get better, from CT, Lukas Fracasso-Verner. Probably one of the top 4 players in NE not counting Dechaine and the best at his age by a decent amount. Match start is about the 30 mark. Table they are on is under 4.5" pockets and is from 2 years ago when he was 17 or 18, he is the one breaking first in the zip up hoodie.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=2439587199694471

 

[sjm]

as far as up and coming I think there are a few

Nathan Childress
Shane Wolford

I'd add Landon Hollingsworth, Eric Roberts and Joey Tate in the "on the horizon" category. All showed solid form at the International Open in October.

After his sixth-place finish at the Derby City 9-ball, during which he played Josh Filler super-tough, I'd say Shane Wolford has already arrived.

 

[Fatboy]

Sadly it’s pretty thin at the top for America these days, will be getting thinner over the next 10 years. Zero chance America dominates pro pool for decades to come

 

[Shannon.spronk]

For juniors, I've seen this young man play and he can shoot lights out, he'll be going places.

View attachment 629204

I was going to mention Fast Eddie. I have seen him play and played against him over the last few years and I can't think of anyone with a better head on his shoulders than Eddie. He is a sponge for information.

I was also going to mention Tyrell Blowers. I have seen him play a few times and his game is pretty strong.

 

[9BallKY]

Juniors are where it's at. Frankly, if anyone over 18 is even close to pro-level then the hard-core pool followers would know of them and I don't see too many people being talked about. Seems we missed a generation or two, hopefully, the recent interest in juniors starts to build a good base.

The kid I’m talking about is only 15 or 16

 

[greyghost]

Shane McM. is primarily a bartable player. He did almost make the MC few yrs ago but recently he plays almost all bb because it pays the bills. IMO Roberts is probably best of those listed playing rot. on a 9ft.

You know as well as I do that he’s not primarily a bar table player. And is no less comfortable or effective on the big track. He’s taken down plenty of big table events with strong fields…..if money dictates he play all big table events he would…if payouts were huge on 2’ toy tables he’d be running racks in some dungaroos lol .

And he didn’t almost make the mosconi cup, it was his spot that he earned by the standards set…and matchroom said meh and threw the conditions out the window in exchange for the “we do what we please, deal with it” handbook.

That choice to go with Tyler luckily for Tyler and matchroom went well so of course the rabble saw it as they made the right decision. But they didn’t…despite results, they chose show that their words and actions are not in line with one another….broken trust.

It does not matter one bit how well their pick did, or even if he had been disastrous then fell off the face of the earth.

How sporting is that?

They literally changed the bet on McMinn and stiffed him and walked out the door whistling.

I’m really looking forward with great excitement on his upcoming match with a mosconi team member to see a mud hole stomped in someone’s you know what.

 

[Chili Palmer]

I was going to mention Fast Eddie. I have seen him play and played against him over the last few years and I can't think of anyone with a better head on his shoulders than Eddie. He is a sponge for information.

I was also going to mention Tyrell Blowers. I have seen him play a few times and his game is pretty strong.

Oh, definitely Ty also, I've watched him play.

LOL, and his dad got me for $50

 

[axejunkie]

There is a kid I think maybe just turned 20 maybe younger, that is in the 700s Fargo, and probably can get better, from CT, Lukas Fracasso-Verner. Probably one of the top 4 players in NE not counting Dechaine and the best at his age by a decent amount. Match start is about the 30 mark. Table they are on is under 4.5" pockets and is from 2 years ago when he was 17 or 18, he is the one breaking first in the zip up hoodie.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=2439587199694471

I watched Lukas on a stream from Maryland (?) recently and was impressed with his fundamentals. I agree he has lots of potential.

 

[9ballhasbeen]

In other words, I think it is close to Universally accepted that SVB, SKY, Billy, Corey, and Tyler are the State's best chance to win a rotation tourney at the moment, but who are the next group of Americans that you believe has the game to snap off a big tourney or make a deep run in a major?

I had a chance to see Shane Wolford's game in person at the Music City Open, and man he is talented. To me, he came out of nowhere, but I am sure he has been grinding away under the radar for years. Who are the other likely candidates to make a big splash?

I kept waiting for Donnie Mills to win a big tourney a few years ago, now I don't hear (or read) about him playing much. Iceberg and Dechaine and Rodney Morris seem to be retired. Who does that leave?

Here are a few that I would not be surprised if they won a big rotation tourney:

Tony Chohan
Josh Roberts
Shane Wolford
Hennessee
Jeremy Sossei
Shane Mcminn

Question: Do we have the next Sky or Billy in the pipeline? Is there some monster Amateur or Junior out there just waiting in the wings?

Shane Wolford is young enough to have some real promise and their is time to recognize his potential. Other than that, we are talking about the same players as last year based on this list.

Landon Hollingsworth is another promising American Junior, though I understand he is headed to Air Force Academy after he finishes high-school. In my honest opinion, we don't have much of a talent pool to draw from. I understand many of us have a passion for the game, myself included, but I wouldn't want my kid pursuing a career in Billiards, and I'd dare say most parents wouldn't either. Until that changes, we are swimming against the current.

 

[Chili Palmer]

Shane Wolford is young enough to have some real promise and their is time to recognize his potential. Other than that, we are talking about the same players as last year based on this list.

Landon Hollingsworth is another promising American Junior, though I understand he is headed to Air Force Academy after he finishes high-school. In my honest opinion, we don't have much of a talent pool to draw from. I understand many of us have a passion for the game, myself included, but I wouldn't want my kid pursuing a career in Billiards, and I'd dare say most parents wouldn't either. Until that changes, we are swimming against the current.

I've thought long and hard about that and have chosen to keep my granddaughter away from this world - sad but true.

 

[jokrswylde]

Shane Wolford is young enough to have some real promise and their is time to recognize his potential. Other than that, we are talking about the same players as last year based on this list.

Landon Hollingsworth is another promising American Junior, though I understand he is headed to Air Force Academy after he finishes high-school. In my honest opinion, we don't have much of a talent pool to draw from. I understand many of us have a passion for the game, myself included, but I wouldn't want my kid pursuing a career in Billiards, and I'd dare say most parents wouldn't either. Until that changes, we are swimming against the current.

Good post. Thanks. The bolded part is where I tend to disagree. Out of over a million high school football players, less than 2% will play at the major college level. Of those that play at the major college level, around 1.5% will be drafted into the NFL. Of those that do get drafted, the average career longevity is 3.3 years.

These are some astronomical odds for an average of 3.3 years! I bring all that up to say that thousands of parents dream of their kids playing in the NFL, even though it is almost statistically a near impossibility. Millions are spent on camps, training, equipment, etc.

Every year hundreds of kids forego college scholarships to go make a weekly stipend playing sub single A ball, just because they got drafted by a pro team.

I get the payoff can be phenomenal if you do make it, and pool can't compare, but my point is the same: If my kids were to show prodigy like talents, I would hope I would encourage them to develop it to the fullest. Just my opinion though

 

[9ballhasbeen]

Good post. Thanks. The bolded part is where I tend to disagree. Out of over a million high school football players, less than 2% will play at the major college level. Of those that play at the major college level, around 1.5% will be drafted into the NFL. Of those that do get drafted, the average career longevity is 3.3 years.

These are some astronomical odds for an average of 3.3 years! I bring all that up to say that thousands of parents dream of their kids playing in the NFL, even though it is almost statistically a near impossibility. Millions are spent on camps, training, equipment, etc.

Every year hundreds of kids forego college scholarships to go make a weekly stipend playing sub single A ball, just because they got drafted by a pro team.

I get the payoff can be phenomenal if you do make it, and pool can't compare, but my point is the same: If my kids were to show prodigy like talents, I would hope I would encourage them to develop it to the fullest. Just my opinion though

I understand and can see your broader point, but the issues inherent to nurturing talent in billiards, in the United States specifically, remain a barrier to success from my perspective. I say this because billiards is not encouraged or associated with education for the most part, and the primary locations to hone or nurture one's skills/talent are filled with "Adult" vices and questionable influences. Until there is a BCA or other organization operating as the USGA does for golf (stewards of the game, tasked with protecting, elevating, and encouraging participation and access), the U.S. will stay well behind in terms of talent development and overall interest.