A Scout’s Take: FAB 48 (Underclassmen Stock Raisers)
A Scout’s Take: FAB 48 (Underclassmen Stock Raisers)
LAS VEGAS, Nev.—Although Hal Pastner and UAA Finals had a lot of talent within their gyms, the FAB 48, directed by Gary Charles, Dinos Trigonis, and Grant Rice, continue to be the cream of the crop of Las Vegas Grassroots hoops. From the beginning (Compton Magic taking down Team Takeover in a thriller) to DC Premier claming the championship over The Truth, the Fab 48 delivered in a big time way.
Ziaire Williams (Sherman Oaks Notre Dame) Club Team: BTI Select
2020, CG, 6-foot-7, 180 pounds
Joel’s Take: Williams took a major leap forward during his sophomore season and it continued this spring and summer. At the FAB 48—to the national pundits—he took his game to an elite level. Battling against the best of the best—including E1T1 with Vernon Carey Jr., Scottie Barnes, and CJ Walker—Williams, at times, was the best player on the floor. He has a point guard feel for the game, an improved middle game, and a jump shot that is dependable.
Nimari Burnett (Napa Christian) Club Team: Team Why Not
2020, SG, 6-foot-3, 170 pounds
Joel’s Take: Burnett, who is originally from Chicago, is evolving into a nice player here on the West Coast. The skilled combo-guard can score from all three levels, fly to the rim off the dribble, and knock in the jump shot. His length and savvy in the paint allows him to finish through and around contact, while his vision makes him a nifty passer in traffic.
Terren Frank (Sierra Canyon) Club Team: Dream Vision
2020, WF/PF, 6-foot-8, 210 pounds
Joel’s Take: When I think of Frank, what immediatley comes to mind is consistency. The skilled 4-man has a deftly shooting touch out to 20-feet, exhibits fundamental footwork in the paint, and is an improved athlete. This inside-out 4/3 needs to improve his lateral quickness to guard on the perimeter, but overall his progress has been good.
Devin Askew (Mater Dei) Club Team: Big Red
2021, CG, 6-foot-5, 190 pounds
Joel’s Take: Playing for the Monarchs, your overall game will evolve, or else. Or else, what? You won’t play. Gary McKnight and his staff demand efficiency and savvy decisons, and Askew has improved in both of those categories. Coming out of middle school, Askew was a score-first guard, but now he is making better decisons. He can still knock in 3s on a consistent basis and finish in the lane, but now he is finding open teammates, cutting off of screens, and becoming a better all-around player.
AJ Hoggard (Huntington Prep) Club Team: PSA Cardinals
2020, PG, 6-foot-3, 200 pounds
Joel’s Take: People may scoff at my Marcus Smart comparisons, but after watching Hoggard, it’s more than just his body-type. The burly point guard dominated each of the games I watched with his strength, rebounding, and finishing ability. He can carry defenders on his hip, snap passes to open teammates, and he competes at both ends of the floor. Smart, while in high school in Texas played and lead in a similar way.
Daishen Nix (Trinity International/NV) Club Team: Simply Fundamental
2020, PG, 6-foot-4, 185 pounds
Joel’s Take: Nix is a big point guard type who isn’t overly quick, but he pushes well in the open court, has the strength to attack smothering defenders off the dribble, and can explode to the rim. He knows how to use his body, changes speeds, and equally effective as a distributor as he is a scorer. One of the better 2020 point guards in the country.