SoCal Tipoff Standouts: Part III
Report on 2018 So Cal Spring Tip Off
The 3rd annual So Cal Spring Tip Off was held April 7-8 at Next Level Sports Complex in Garden Grove. 120 teams from the western United States participated. Scouts/media in attendance included Joel Francisco- Prep Hoops, Gerry Freitas- Hoop Review scouting service/Hoopreview.net, Devin Ugland-Prep Hoops/Hoops by Ugland, Frank Burlison- Burlison on Basketball, Greg Rosenberg-Arizona Varsity, Dave Keefer-Californiapreps.com, Roy White- West Coast Hoops, Jerina Madayag- Premier Ball, Christian Popoola- Premier Ball, Chris Cook- Phase 1 Hoops, Justin Boswell- Cal Hi, Alexis Sostre- Sports Top 100, Thomas McDonald- Passport Playas, Richard Whiteside- Baller Visions, Kenya Thomas- Overtime. Here is a report on the event.
Top Prospects: (*indicates highest consideration)
5’10 PG Kayden Davis of Brophy Prep 2021 (Aim High 16U)
Strong 1-man with a high IQ. Thicker frame/build and he is crafty. Knows how to change speeds. Can shoot it from deep and makes good reads to teammates. Will need to improve overall speed.
6’5 SF Mikey Davidson 2018 of Ventura HS (805 Family 17)
Active and hard-nosed wing who fearlessly attacks the cup and finishes over and through contact. Moves well without the ball and cuts hard along the baselines which results in easy paint finishes.
6’0 SG D.J. Davis 2020 of Corona Centennial HS (The Truth EYBL 16U)
Knockdown 3-point shooter both off the catch and off the dribble. Has deep and consistent range on his jump shot with a quick trigger and ultimate confidence. Has good ball skills which help him create his own shot off the dribble.
6’6 SF Pierce Davis 2020 of Bradshaw Christian HS (Team Lillard 16U)
Active, high motor wing who thrives in the transition setting. Uses his speed and length to fill the lane wide and slash to the basket where he can finish through contact or above the rim. Good potential as a perimeter defender. Knows how to use his length to his advantage on that end of the floor.
6’1 CG Stephen Davis 2020 of Santa Barbara HS (805 Family 17)
Long and smooth athlete who is at his best when finishing in transition. Uses his long strides, body control and elusiveness to evade defenders on the break and finish strong at the rim.
*6’6 F Majok Deng 2019 of Salpointe Catholic (Powerhouse 17UAA)
Long and thin athlete. More of a slasher/finisher at this point. Attacks aggressively on the drive. Ok 3-pt shooter. Gets a lot of points on the offensive glass.
6’3 SG Dillon DePina of Heritage Christian HS 2020 (WCE 16UAA- LA)
Goes hard in transition, pulls up fairly well in the half court. Moves well without the ball, good shooter with 3 range, has a pull up floater.
6’6 PF Sebastian Deprez 2021 of Claremont HS (Prodigy Elite 15U)
Fluid and mobile young big man complete with length and ability to change ends of the floor well. Uses his length on the defensive end when altering and blocking shots and collecting rebounds at a high rate.
6’10 C Fallou Diagne 2020 of Tri-City Christian Academy (Jamal Murray Elite)
Mobile and active five-man with a good motor and conditioning. Serviceable rim protector and rebounder due to his length and good defensive instincts. Still a raw offensive prospect.
*6’2 CG Keith Dinwiddie 2020 of Culver City HS (The Truth EYBL 16U)
Good ball skills and pace to his game. Does a nice job of getting paint touches both in transition and half-court settings and finding open shooters out of it. Can finish around the basket with a floater or through contact.
6’4 CG Xavier Dusell 2020 of Chaparral HS (Team Harden 16)
Consistent three-level scorer who puts it in the bucket a variety of ways. Knocks down the open 3-point shot either off the catch or off the bounce. Uses the dribble and his athleticism to get into the paint where he can pull-up for a short jumper or get to the basket and score. Showed some good vision and passing. D 1 prospect.
6’7 PF Justin Ebor 2021 of Oak Park HS (The Truth EYBL 16U)
Physical and active four-man who does a lot of the dirty work. High level rebounder on both ends of the floor, sprints the middle of the court in offensive transition, cleans up the offensive glass with put-backs. Versatile defender with his combination of size, length and mobility.
5’11 PG Akil Edwards of St. Patrick-St. Vincent HS 2019 (Team Lillard 17U)
Strong and athletic. Handles and passes it well, effective in transition- can finish. Defends well.
6’5 G/W Eddy Egun of El Camino HS 2018 (Pro Skills Sports Academy 17)
Real athletic, decent burst, long arms, handles it well, good passer, capable in transition (pulls up ok), sees the floor, moves ok without the ball, shoots it ok with 3-point range, has an ok floater drive, solid driver, can rebound and defend.
6’8 C Jacob Eyman of Hillcrest Academy 2019 (Truth EYBL 17U)
Aggressive five man. Can post up, has a nice jump hook. Pursues rebounds consistently. Can defend.
5’10 PG Tyrese Eugene of Ironwood HS 2018 (AZ Factory 17U)
Strong 1-man with a much-improved shooting stroke. 3pt range and can drive it to cup. Defends hard on the ball and occasionally uses a pull-up.
5’10 G Jack Elliot 2019 of Agoura HS (BTI Premier 17)
Knockdown 3-point shooter with range, a quick release and repeatable mechanics on his jump shot. Can hit from multiple spots from beyond the arc.
6’3 CG Matt Essien 2018 of Etiwanda HS (Prodigy Seniors)
Ballhawking on-ball defender with good length and lateral speed. Guards multiple positions, can switch on to bigs and hold his own in pick-and-roll action. Offense is most effective on catch-and-shoot perimeter jumpers with time and space.
6’5 F Kevin Fassu 2019 (BTI Elite 17)
Athletic, long slasher that gets to the rim and finishes. High school 2018 grad, but he apparently is planning on going to a post grad prep.
6’4 SF Joseph Feeney of Brophy Prep 2020 (Aim High 16U)
Face up forward with range to the 3. Can bang inside and score it. High motor to rebound and plays hard. Very competitive player and smart. Can drive the ball to the hole off the dribble and will pick up full court to defend. Has some PG skills to control games.
6’2 SG Jaibreon Ferguson 2020 of Heritage Christian HS (West Coast Elite 16 Silver)
Good downhill athlete with length and body control. Side steps defenders on the break and finishes at the rim with consistency.
6’5 CF Andre Fields of Warren HS 2019 (Team LA 17)
Strong, ok athlete. Decent ball skills for a post man. Has a one-bounce drive. Can post up some, ok rebounder.
6’2 SG Joel Finney 2018 of Cooper Academy (Cooper Elite 17)
Wired to score in either transition or half-court situations. Can knock down the 3-point pull-up or mid-range jumper. Finishes well around the basket whether through or around contact.
6’4 SF Eric Fox 2020 of Royal HS (Hard Work Basketball 16)
Crafty scorer around the basket with ability to finish with either hand. Has good footwork on the block and at the mid-post level. Utilizes shot fakes and jab steps to create space and counter lack of vertical athleticism. Stretches the floor to 3-point range.
*6’7 PF Terran Frank of Sierra Canyon HS 2019 (Team LA 17U)
Talented athletic scorer. Capable ball handler. Can shoot it consistently from 15-feet and extend to the 3. Above the rim athlete with good length and has a big motor. Contests shots at rim defensively and rebounds at a good rate. (MM+)
*6’7 SG/SF Julien Franklin 2019 of Villa Park HS (Dream Vision 17)
Really nice size and length for his position but must get physically stronger. Possesses fundamental footwork on the perimeter and in the paint. Knocks down the open 3-point shot with regularity, but can also get into the paint, draw defenders and dish to open teammates. Has a lot of potential as a perimeter defender. Committed to Oregon State.
5’9 SG Anthony Frausto of Adolfo Camarillo HS 2020 (SoCal Future)
High IQ player can defend his position. Good shot to the 3 and can get to the rack with a nice burst.
6’5 G/W Otis Frazier of Buckeye Union HS 2019 (Powerhouse 17UAA Joseph)
Very athletic guard/wing. Handles it well, shoots it fairly well with 3 range. Has a nice first step. Can rebound.
5’7 PG Jeremiah Frieden of Hesperia Christian HS 2019 (IEBP-High Desert 17U)
Diminutive PG with great speed who can shoot the 3. Runs the team well and makes smart decisions and makes good reads.
6’5 SF Owen Fromm 2019 of Redlands East Valley HS (IEBP Red 17U)
Hard-nosed wing who does all of the little things. Solid on-ball defender, good rebounder for his position and will step over and take a charge. Active around the basket offensively with good hands and touch in the paint.
*6’8 F Stephan Gabriel 2019 of Hillcrest Prep (Jamal Murray Elite)
Athletic and versatile combo forward with a strong, chiseled frame. Skilled for his size with the ability to clean the defensive glass, lead the break and distribute to teammates with vision and precision. Scores it well from the mid-range and close-range levels, using his powerful frame to overpower rim protectors and finish through contact. Shoots the three a little and can dribble operate on the block.
6’4 F Chris Garnett of Campbell Hall HS 2019 (BTI All- Stars 17U)
Good defensively on the wing and inside. Lefty can shoot it a little facing up. Moves well and very competitive. High academic player.
6’4” PF Johnny Garnett of Campbell Hall HS 2019 (BTI All- Stars 17U)
Great defensively in the post. Long with good timing. Two handed rebounder who is a very good outlet passer. Paint scorer primarily but moves well end to end. High academic player.
6’7 PF Anthony Garza 2020 of Shadow Ridge HS (Powerhouse Price 16U)
Solid scorer from 15-feet and in where he can face-up and take guys off the dribble. Also has a couple back to the basket moves in his arsenal. Thrives as a passer out of the high post. Keeps the ball high, surveys and makes high IQ decisions with the ball. Good rebounder.
6’8 F Jack Garza 2019 of Corona Del Mar HS (WCE 17 Silver – LA)
Very good 3-pt shooter with size. He’ll need to add another dimension to his game.
6’8 PF Truman Gettings 2021 of Harvard-Westlake HS (Team Why Not 16U)
Extremely physical and strong forward who embraces contact and uses it to his advantage. Finishes well with either hand around the basket, rebounds at a high clip both offensively and defensively and is rarely outworked by his opponent.
6’1 CG Trent Goldmann 2021 of Redondo Union HS (Los Angeles Elite 15U Premier)
Catch and shoot threat from multiple spots behind the 3-point arc. Uses the shot fake well to get into the paint and create for teammates.
6’3 SG Dominic Gonzalez 2020 of Ironwood HS (AZ Factory 16U)
Strong, physical off-guard who uses his strength to his advantage when getting in the paint and scoring through contact. Attacks gaps well off the bounce and uses high level body control to elude defenders, stay on balance and score at the cup.
6’8 C Devin Green 2020 of Castro Valley HS (Team Lillard 16U)
Strong, wide bodied big who has some good early fundamentals on the block. Decent hands and feet. Uses his frame well on screen-roll action when burying a defender with a pick.
6’5 SG Max Guinn 2019 of Francis Parker HS (West Coast Elite 17 UAA)
High IQ glue-guy who can knock down the open 3-point shot with regularity. Makes good decisions with the ball and is a strong passer off the wing.
5’7 CG Gavin Guinn of Longfellow MS 2024 (WCE 15U Black-SD)
Feel and IQ for age are off the charts. Can shoot it consistently from the perimeter and create own shot already in 15U. Younger brother of Max Guinn will be very good down the road.
6’5 G/F Damien Guest Jr 2019 of Highland HS (Los Angeles Elite 17u Premier)
Long and strong frame, definitely looks the part. Good athlete with a lot of potential, finishes around the rim. Has range on his shot. Works hard on defense.
6’6 F Ethan Hamilton of Buckeye HS 2019 (Team Zona 17U)
Long and skilled forward who can play inside and out. Can score some with back to basket plus face up to the 3pt line. Uses length to rebound and block shots. Decent athlete needs to add weight. Committed to Glendale CC.
*6’3 CG Sean Harlston of Dominguez HS 2019 (Pump N Run Elite 17)
Impressive in this event. Real athletic combo guard with a motor. Goes hard in transition. Shoots it with range, aggressive driver. Good rebounder from the guard position.
*6’2 CG Amani “Mook” Harris 2019 of St. Bernard HS (West Coast Elite 17 UAA)
Has dynamic playmaking ability both on and off the ball. Showed improved explosiveness of the ground when finishing in transition above the rim. Can create his own shot off the dribble and prefers to pull-up from the mid-range level on his jump shot.
*6’4 PG Dominick Harris 2020 of Pacifica Christian OC (Dream Vision 16u)
Well known HM prospect. Dynammic athlete, can score in bunches. One of the few guards that can score on three levels: at rim, mid-range and from 3. Sees the floor in transition. Gonzaga commit.
*6’6 F Dre Harris 2019 of Red Mountain HS (Powerhouse 17UAA)
Strong frame – wide through shoulders, long arms. Can be physically dominant at times. Good athlete…a lot of upside here.
6’0 CG Gabriel Harrison 2021 of Point Loma HS (West Coast Elite SD 15 Silver)
Strong, physical guard who can operate both on or off the ball. Consistent 3-point shooter and aggressive when getting downhill and attacking the basket.
5’10 PG Kaden Headington 2019 of Edison HS (SCA 17)
Poised and high IQ lead guard who can knock down the open catch and shoot three. Does a nice job of getting into the paint with an efficient amount of dribbles and kicking to open shooters or dropping a bounce pass to a big man.
*6’4 CG Andre Henry 2020 of St. Francis HS (BTI Select 17)
High IQ and controlled combo guard who practices good decision making even when under duress and pressure. Aggressive attacker of the basket both in transition and half-court settings, but doesn’t force many offensive actions and uses his vision and timing on passes to set up teammates. Good rebounder for his size and position who pursues the ball well.
6’7 PF De’Andre Henry 2020 of Mountain Pointe HS (Team Harden 16U)
Big-bodied forward who uses that girth and strength well in the paint. Has good hands and touch around the basket. Knows how to carve out space in the paint and provide entry passers with a good target. Accomplished rebounder.
6’0 CG Keith Higgins 2021 of Chaminade HS (BTI Prospects 17)
Long and wiry prospect with a good early feel for the game. Smooth stroke from 3-point range and is comfortable shooting from multiple spots and with deep range.
*6’10 F Coleman Hawkins 2020 of Antelope HS (Dream Vision 16u)
Very intriguing prospect, because of his ability to shoot the 3. Can handle and pass and get to the basket on the drive. Has length and athleticism as well. HM prospect. Starting to emerge…
*6’6 G Adam Hess 2018 of St Thomas More (BTI Elite 17)
Talented combo guard was one of the more impressive players of the weekend. Pure shooter with range. High level mid-range game, with one or two dribble pull-up. Very good athlete as well.
6’4 G Akil Holloway 2018 of Skyline HS (I Play Elite 17)
Lefty that can penetrate and get his shot off in traffic. Appears to be a streaky shooter, but he did show ability to knock down the open 3.
6’7 PF Anthony Holley 2018 of Roosevelt HS (Cali Elite 17 Blue)
Active and high motor forward with good length. Uses his length and athleticism to contest shots at the rim and rebound the defensive glass. Changes ends of the floor with purpose and is always looking to rim-run in transition.
5’10 CG DJ Holmes 2021 of Bonita HS (Chaos 16 SD)
Crafty and strong guard who is constantly in attack mode on the offensive end. Good ball skills, strong frame for his class and combination of dribble moves and physical downhill speed helps him finish in the paint.
*6’8 F Daron Holmes 2021 of Millennium (Powerhouse Hoops 15u)
Super long, gets to the rim and finishes. Makes plays defensively. Showed the ability to make open 3. Has a knack for getting shot off in traffic.
6’3 SG Kiimani Holt 2020 of Rancho Solano Prep (Powerhouse Price 16U)
Strong, physical and explosive athlete who likes to get into the paint, draw contact and finish with power through it. Can hit the one or two-dribble pull-up mid-range jumper with regularity. Has a lot of potential as a lockdown perimeter defender. Good rebounder for his size.
6’0 PG Josh Holloway of Valley Vista HS 2019 (AZ Factory 17U)
Fast defensive scoring lead guard. Great pull-up from 17-feet. Can shoot it to 3. Quick hands/quick-twitch athlete. Can make plays for others but has to cut down on his turnovers.
*6’10 C Mason Hooks 2020 of Harvard-Westlake HS (BTI Select 17)
Physical paint presence with broad shoulders and a chiseled frame. Capable finisher around the rim with either hand. Understands he’s on the floor to contest shots, rebound, set strong picks to free guards and finish around the basket when called upon. Had a hard time keeping up to the breakneck pace of the games.
*6’9 C Marcus Hopkins of Pope John XXIII 2018 (Team Lillard 17U)
Thicker build/frame runs court and is very athletic. Jump hook shots, offensive rebound put-backs and dunks is most of his scoring arsenal. He will prep to 2019 class. (D1 player)
6’8 C Miles Houston of Hamilton HS 2019 (Powerhouse Hoops 17U Schumaker)
Thicker post player with a nice shooting touch. Runs court and rebounds at a good rate. Can shoot it to the 3pt line but mostly consistent to elbow and in. Has hook shot and uses two hands to rebound. Good frame and length. (D1 prospect)
6’0 G Bryce Howard 2019 of Westlake HS (BTI Select 17)
Lightning quick with the ability to play both on or off the ball. Uses his speed to his advantage on the defensive end when sitting in a defensive stance and sliding to stay in front of his man. Puts a lot of pressure on the rim in transition as he gets downhill quickly and gets into the body of the defender and draws fouls when attacking.
5’8 PG Spencer Hubbard 2020 of Harvard-Westlake HS (Team Why Not 16U)
High IQ and pass-first point guard who understands how to control pace and knows where to set each of his teammates up to be most successful. Doesn’t over-dribble and rarely turns it over.
6’2 CG Akoye Hudson of home school 2022 (WCE 15U UAA Gold-LA)
Downhill scoring guard with great length and body. He has a decent shooting stroke from the perimeter but is best at getting to his spots on the floor he wants with a tight handle. Very good court vision. Rumored to Leuzinger HS.
6’4 G/F Justin Huelskamp 2019 of San Joaquin Memorial (Cali Stars 17 Platinum)
Skilled wing. Penetrates and makes good decisions. Finds open guys, good passer. Can finish around the rim.
*6’9 C/PF Willy Isiani of ASI Prep Academy 2018 (ASI Prep Academy 17U)
Talented scorer with high IQ. Can shoot it to the 3 consistently (one of the best bigger shooters viewed) and create own shot off the dribble. Good length and rebounds well. Has a hook shot to use and understands the game. Good passer and can block an occasional shot. Will only have 3 years of college to use. (D1 player)
5’11 PG Demorceau Jackson 2020 of A.B. Miller HS (Primo Soldiers 16U)
Good command for the point guard positions. Tight handle on the basketball and can get into the lane as he pleases with his change of speeds and countless dribble moves. Has good length on his 5’11 frame and a high-level feel for the game.
6’10 C Oton Jankovic of Napa Christian HS 2019 (Team Lillard 17U)
Face up 5-man to the 3. Smooth stroke and plays like a euro center. Decent athlete and rebounds well in his area. (D1 player)