Jim Harris TOC: Scout’s Take
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA— Although the Grassroots club season is the most efficient way to see as many players as possible against the best competition, I enjoy watching these same kids play with their high school teams where you see every element of their game on display. Many times during the “club” season, players don’t have the opportunity to exhibit their all-around skill set due to playing on an ultra-talented team—in other words they may not face adversity or don’t have to exhibit any leadership qualities.
Francisco’s Takes
Mensah is a great get for San Diego State
While watching San Diego State commit Joel Mensah in the EYBL, I noticed the obvious length, good hands, and excellent feet. On the other hand, I saw a lack of assertiveness and attention to detail in the area of fundamentals. However, at the Jim Harris TOC, Mensah was a no nonsense leader who dominated the game with is length, timing, rebounding, and an impressive soft touch out to 20-feet. Look for Mensah to have an immediate impact for the Aztecs.
Eyman and Rodman have room for growth
Two of Orange County’s best prospects 6-foot-8 Jacob Eyman and 6-foot-5 junior D.J. Rodman exhibited their talent at the Jim Harris Tournament of Champions—but there are areas of their games that need attention.
Eyman is gifted shot blocker and he has a nice touch to 19-feet, but in order for him to make an immediate impact at the next level (UTEP), he needs to be much more assertive (playing through contact), make a more concerted effort in the areas of rebounding and sprinting the floor in transition.
Rodman has a knack to score from all three levels, but to take his game to another level he needs to keep his head up while navigating the defense and learn to move without the ball (cutting, etc.) to make the game easier.
2019 Alamudun shows promise
The biggest surprise of the event was the emergence of 6-foot-5 junior Jakob Alamudun. The Marina High School inside-out threat plays with a high motor and has a knack to score. He attacks relentlessly in transition and will post up opponents when he sees an advantage. His ball skills are quite good in the open court and his rebounding ability is as potent as I’ve seen thus far during the Holiday tournaments.
Hammonds exhibits D1 skills
Kaison Hammonds, ranked No. 3 in the Prep Hoops Colorado rankings, showed off his advanced skill set and feel for the game. He has a lengthy frame with very long arms and his IQ for the game is high-level. He converted a number of 3-point shots, delivered some laser assists in transition, his head is always up at both ends of the floor monitoring and guiding his teammates. Defensively he has active hands, length, and the instincts to be a high-level defender. Denver has offered, while Georgia Tech, Wyoming, San Francisco, Washington State are monitoring his progress.
Up-and-coming 2019 point guard Joseph is on the rise.
Coree Joseph, a 6-foot junior point guard out of Diamond Ranch is a true floor general who knows how to run a team. He was fearless leading his team into a physical match up with Orange County power JSerra and their talented big man Joel Mensah. Joseph can knock in the 3-ball, break down defenders off the dribble and facilitate the offense. Defensively, he slides his feet well and has active hands.