2020 Rankings Update: Well under-the-radar
We’ve featured many of the top players in our latest class of 2020 rankings at length throughout the year.
Players the likes of Evan Mobley, Ziaire Williams, Josh Christopher and the rest of the top 10 get plenty of ink and publicity throughout the year and don’t need much help from us to do so.
As is the norm with any set of rankings, there are always a handful of players who end up being well under-the-radar
The following five players are ranked no higher than No. 55, but have the potential to rise in the coming updates.
Well Under-the-Radar
Albert Pichardo, Army-Navy
Pichardo, the highest ranked prospect on this list at No. 57, is beginning to open some eyes with his play in the spring. The 6-foot-3 wing is active on both ends of the floor, plays with a high motor, and has a consistent 3-point shot off the catch. The next step for the San Diego All-Stars wing is to continue to add to his off-the-bounce game.
J.D. Plough, Peninsula
Plough is one of the better scorers that no one talks about. The 6-foot-3 Peninsula High shooting guard has a throwback type of game, using his smooth mid-range pull-up game as his main source of scoring. Plough averaged 13.1 points per game during his sophomore season while shooting 43 percent from the field. If Plough can start to become a more consistent shooter from 3-point range, his No. 72 ranking will certainly get higher.
Los Alamitos guard Kevin Kent has the opportunity to take his game to another level this summer and into the fall.Kevin Kent, Los Alamitos
The Griffins had an experimental season that had Kent in the starting five some games, then coming off the bench in others. With that said, the 5-foot-7 point guard earned good reviews from the Los Al coaching staff as far has his basketball IQ and motor go. Kent is a speedy playmaking point who is better as a mid-range shooter than a 3-point shooter. One of the most important parts of his development will be his shooting from distance.
Evan Oliver, Citrus Valley
Oliver is another prolific scorer who doesn’t get his proper due because he’s a bit undersized for his position. The 5-foot-10 shooting guard, who comes in at No. 67, poured in a team-high 21.6 points per game last season for Citrus Valley. No one can deny Oliver’s 3-point shooting prowess, toughness, or basketball IQ. He’s one of the more competitive players Southern California has to offer and will earn more publicity as he rounds out his playmaking capabilities with Team Eleate this summer.
Jake Tawhiao, Mater Dei Catholic
Our No. 75-ranked prospect has a reserved approach to the floor, both in game and attitude, but there’s no questioning Tawhiao’s vision, basketball IQ and passing abilities. The 6-foot-3 Gamepoint 16s combo guard see’s the floor well both in transition and half-court settings and has a pass-first mentality that may get lost in the club basketball landscape at times.