Prep Hoops So-Cal Top 250 Expo: Best of the 2019 Class
Fountain Valley, Ca. — The inaugural Southern California Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo ,hosted in the newly-waxed gym on the campus of Fountain Valley high school, drew nearly 80 prospects of all grade levels and potential college landing spots.
The Sunday camp provided the players with top level coaching, skill work and a competitive game se
tting, and there were a handful of players from the class of 2019 who separated themselves from the pack.
Julien Franklin, a 6-foot-5 wing from Villa Park high school, was one of the top-ranked prospects in the gym and showed why.
The junior had his versatile offensive repertoire on display as he knocked down a number of 3-pointers, went to work in the mid-post complete with up-and-under moves that required good footwork and broke out for a good amount of transition buckets.
Speaking of buckets, Los Altos junior Jarod Lucas was full of them.
The 6-foot-3 shooting guard got off to a slow start in the first game, but once he got hot, there was no stopping him. Lucas drained countless 3-pointers, got to his mid-range pull-up that featured improved lift and balance and hit a couple of impressive baseline fade-away jumpers.
Jaden Shackelford made the long trip from the high desert of Hesperia and the Oak Hills High product proved to be one of the most well-rounded prospect in the gym.
Shackelford, a 6-foot-2 combo guard with an immense feel for the game, scored at-will when slashing into the paint and finishing with a crafty layup package or pull-up jumper.
One of the things that stood out most about Shackelford was his willingness to move the ball and get his teammates involved.
Ayala’s Dylan Aiono is one of the more interesting prospects in Southern California.
At 6-feet-6 with ball skills, perimeter feel and good athleticism, the junior forward is a versatile player with a lot of upside. Aiono is best when attacking the basket in transition or half-court settings.
Crean Lutheran‘s Aiden Gilbert was one of the most under-the-radar prospects in attendance and he put his name on the map.
At 5-feet-10, Gilbert is a crafty scoring point guard who utilizes a combination of basketball IQ, change of pace and slick finishing ability to make up for lesser speed and athleticism in certain matchups.
Matt Bender of Francis Parker was one of the hardest working big men in the camp.
The 6-foot-7 power forward outworked his counterparts on the offensive and defensive glass and down the court in transition. Bender’s motor and willingness to run the middle of the floor resulted in a myriad of easy buckets.
Long Beach St. Anthony wing Calvin Boone separated himself as one of the most captivating long-term prospects in the building.
Boone is a long and fluid athlete at 6-feet-4 who can knock down a catch and shoot triple or get to the basket and finish at or above the rim. His progress will be one to monitor over the next couple of years.