Unranked 2020 San Diego Players to Watch
San Diego has a lot of talent in the 2020 class. A number of players that didn’t make our updated rankings have strong chances of making an appearance in the future – and rising higher than some who are already on the list. Some didn’t make it due to injuries that didn’t give our scouts an opportunity to see them play this year. Others hover below the radar for other reasons.
Who are some of the unranked names that you should get to know? Prep Hoops So-Cal has your breakdown:
Unranked 2020 San Diego Players to Watch
Mission Bay G Savaughn Davis is a relentless combo guard who is improving on the ballSavaughn Davis, 6-2 G, Mission Bay/ West Coast Elite – SD Silver
Davis had a solid campaign as a key contributor on the Bucs’ Open Division championship team. During the club season, he’s playing more on the ball than he did in high school, with mixed results. Davis, the younger brother of former Georgia Tech PG Justin Moore, has good size and instincts at the point guard position. He plays at a relentless pace on offense, attacking with right-hand drives and looking to finish through contact. While streaky from the perimeter, Davis has shown he can string together threes off the catch. And while he shows flashes of good feel in the pick-and-roll, Davis has a tendency to over penetrate and force shots. When he is at his best, Davis is one of the more promising combo guards in the class in San Diego. Expect him to make our prospect rankings in the next update.
Elijah Randall, 6-5 WF, San Marcos/ Coastal Elite
Randall had an inconsistent year as he recovered from a foot injury that sidelined him the first month of the season. This spring, however, Randall has returned to form, playing a big role for Coastal Elite’s 16s – and 17s. Randall has a stocky frame and solid ball skills for a wing (very good passer). He has improved his shooting off the catch to go along with his developed midrange game and his ability to finish through contact. What he lacks in elite athleticism he makes up for in toughness and intensity. Think poor man’s Georges Niang of Iowa State.
Patrick Roberts, 6-8 PF, Christian/ Gamepoint
Roberts missed his entire sophomore year recovering from scoliosis surgery. He has emerged an inch taller and no worse for the wear. The energetic post has a rail-thin frame, but is quite bouncy and does all of the intangible things you like to see from young bigs – he runs the floor hard, protects the rim and competes on the boards. He’s good for at least one highlight finish above the rim each game. Roberts needs better feel and footwork in the post and he must add strength to his frame to keep him from getting pushed around in the paint and to hold on to the ball when pressured.
DeShaun Cooper, 6-8 PF, Balboa School/ California Select
Cooper recently reclassified to 2020 after transferring from Poway to Balboa School midseason. His evaluation is quite similar to Roberts: He is a long, explosive big man who runs the floor and has an impact on the offensive boards, where he looks for follow-up jams. He needs to improve his assertiveness on the defensive boards and as a rim protector to fully realize his athletic potential. Additionally, his post skills are rudimentary at best. But very few prospects have his combination of size and athleticism.
Solomon Little, 6-2 G, Balboa School/California Select
Cooper’s teammate on the California Select 16u team, Little is a wiry combo guard with impressive length and burst. His quick first step allows him to get into the teeth of the defense, where he can knock down his go-to pull-up jumper or finish at the rim. He shows flashes of court vision in transition, where he can make the nifty assist or the pull-down outlet, but he needs to continue to improve his overall court vision in the halfcourt, where he can get tunnel-visioned. While his mid-range game is very good, Little’s mechanics tend to break down shooting from further distances. Little has the pieces, however, to move quickly up the rankings in future updates.
Kobe Sanders, 6-3 SG, Steele Canyon/ Gamepoint
Sanders has a frame that oozes with potential. He has good size, great length and is a deadly shooter off the catch. He also is a willing passer who possesses good court vision. His frame, however, is problematic, as he lacks the strength to finish through contact or to score consistently beyond his three-point shooting. Becoming stronger and improving his game off the bounce are top priorities.
Jalai O’Keith, 6-4 WF, Foothills Christian/ San Diego All-Stars
O’Keith looks the part of a Division 1 prospect. He has an impressive, strapping build and great length. He can handle the ball and has shown the ability to play on the ball during the spring. O’Keith also shoots it well off the catch. But despite these gifts, his skill set is still behind his physical attributes. He has a tendency to over dribble, resulting in turnovers. O’Keith needs to improve his on-ball defense and rebounding. He is a project, but one with a tremendous amount of upside.