Grassroots Update: Washington Elite 17U
Over the past few years, Anthony Slater has parlayed his coaching and playing experience as a former Division I player at Florida Atlantic to help players reach the college level with the Washington Elite AAU program. This spring the 17U team has already seen one unsigned senior reach his goals and the hope is this summer will see more 2018 and 2019 players find a college home.
Here’s a breakdown of the roster and how they have performed this far:
Christian Zamora (2019 Lynden HS) – Zamora is a 6-foot-5 shooter who is capable of playing inside-out. He has defended well on the perimeter and Slater believes that Zamora is one of the most underrated players in the state. Zamora is getting attention at the high Division II level from schools such as St. Martin’s, Seattle Pacific, and Biola while some Division I schools such as Montana State and Florida Atlantic are also watching his progress.
Spencer Wright (2019 Bothell HS) – Wright, at 6-foot-3, is described as a smaller version of Latrell Sprewell by Slater. He’s an all-around player who can play lockdown defense on any one of the three perimeter positions. He has a nice shot from the perimeter and with several of the 2018 players having left the team, could blossom more this summer.
Ben Dublanko (2019 Aberdeen HS) – Dublanko, at 6-foot, is what Slater describes as a sleeper and actually compares him to JJ Redick. He’s shown a great touch from the perimeter, a solid handle, and good quickness. Dublanko recently attended camp at Oregon State and was one of the top players there, and Slater believes that if Dublanko played in the Seattle metro area he would get more publicity.
Mitchell Jones (2019 Starwood HS) – Jones has been in the program for a few years and is an undersized big man at 6-foot-4. Despite his lack of size, he’s been able to average a double-double this spring. Largely due to his lack of height the majority of interest has come from NWAC schools as well as other smaller schools such as George Fox.
Diego Gutierrez (2019 Pasco HS) – Gutierrez has provided point guard depth for the team. He’s heady and knows the game and can hit the open shot. So far NWAC and NAIA schools have shown some interest.
Karl Dremmah (2018 Lake Washington HS) – Dremmah has committed to national JC program Cowley County in Kansas over at least ten other national JC offers, but is able to still play this summer as he is an academic qualifier. At 6-foot-8, he’s been the anchor in the middle for the team, averaging a double-double. Since he’s an academic qualifier, there are Division I schools looking at him in the event there’s an opening on their roster late, such as Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Bakersfield, Eastern Washington, Missouri State, as well as Division II schools such as Seattle Pacific and Concordia.
Jordan Potts (2018 Bothell HS) – Potts, like Dremmah, has already made a college commitment to Eastern Wyoming JC, but similarly is an academic qualifier so he can play this summer. Slater notes that Potts has Division I-level shooting ability to go along with good size (6-foot-5) on the wing. NAIA schools are interested but Potts also recently made a visit to Cornell.
Art Palacios (2018 Sunnyside HS) – Palacios has committed to Northwest University but has not yet signed so he is eligible to play this summer. Slater considers Palacios as one of the top five point guards in the state last year as a pass-first floor leader. In addition to Northwest, Black Hills State and Graceland continue to show interest.
Malik Coats (2018 Renton HS), who played in the spring, has signed with Cowley County CC in Kansas.