Adidas Gauntlet LA: Top So-Cal 16U Performers
Momentous Sports Center in Irvine played host to the Adidas Gauntlet’s west coast regional stop, drawing the top adidas-affiliated travel ball teams in the region for the three-day event.
There was a plethora of talent and plenty of top prospects on display from the 17U level on down to the 15U level, and the following So-Cal area players were among the best at the 16U level.
Wilhelm Breidenbach, Compton Magic
Breidenbach, a 6-foot-8 freshman, is one of the highest motor and most skilled big men in his class. He was finishing with touch with either hand over the weekend, can stretch the floor with face-up set shot, or take less-mobile forwards and centers off the dribble and score on straight line-drive finishes. One of the most underrated part of Breidenbach’s game is his passing ability out of the high post. He’s willing and capable of finding cutters and open shooters.
Freshman F/C Wilhelm Breidenbach had his versatile skill set on display at the adidas Gauntlet regional event this past weekend.Bradley Ezewiro, Pump-N-Run
Ezewiro brought his physical paint presence to the table all weekend. The 6-foot-8 sophomore forward is a power finisher in every sense of the term. He looks to dunk everything with two hands when he gets paint touches and he continues to get quicker and more explosive off the ground every game out. Ezewiro changes ends of the floor well in transition and that’s due to improved conditioning.
Yassine Gharram, Compton Magic
Gharram has proven to be a calming force on just about any team he’s played for. The 6-foot-2 point guard plays with good pace and a high basketball IQ, both allowing him to command the flow of the game and stay in control. Gharram, a sophomore, operates well out of high ball-screen action, getting into the paint to set up a teammate with a kick-out 3-pointer or taking the open driving lane for a paint finish.
Darryl Jackson, Compton Magic
Jackson was letting the perimeter jumpers fly with consistency and confidence on the weekend. The 6-foot-2, class of 2020 combo guard is as smooth as they come with the ball in his hands, but the improvements with his 3-point and mid-range jump shots have opened up a whole new aspect of the game for him.
Isaiah Johnson, Dream Vision
Johnson won’t get the publicity like some of the other talented players in the class of 2020 and that’s mainly because he’s not flashy, both in play and in attitude. The 6-foot-6 forward goes about his business quietly, but gets a lot done when he’s on the floor. Johnson defends, rebounds, runs the floor with purpose, cleans up the garbage and wears opponents down with his high motor and fundamental scoring abilities in the paint.
Ben Ramirez, EBO
Ramirez, a sophomore at Beverly Hills high school, is one of the more under-the-radar players in So-Cal’s 2020 class, but that’ll change if he continues to play the way he did this past weekend. The 5-foot-11 point guard weaved his way through the defense in the half-court setting, getting into the paint where he finished with a consistent floater. Ramirez was good in transition, as well, taking opportunities when they were there, but not forcing the issue.