Nor-Cals Top 5 Players at Pangos All-West Frosh/Soph Camp
The 2018 All-West Frosh/Soph Camp held at Westminster High School in Southern California was the place to be if you live on the west coast and have hopes of playing college basketball. This camp featured the best prospects on the west coast and arguably in the country in this age group. At times I had to remind myself that these prospects are only Freshman and Sophomores and are at the beginning of this process. Although there was plenty of talent from Nor-Cal. These five prospects from Nor-Cal were selected to play in the Top 30 Cream of the Crop All-Star game.
Isael Silva 6’3, 2021 Pg, from Jesuit (Carmichael CA) was named MOP Sophomore in the camp. In the Top 30 game he scored 26 pts and handed out four assist. It’s easy to see why he’s considered one of the top point guards in the West. He makes good decisions with the ball, he has a natural flow to his game whether it’s leading on the break and looking for open players or deciding to attack the the rim. He has the ability to knock down 3pt shots consistently and he can finish at the rim with either hand.
I was pleasantly surprised when I found out D”uante (DJ) Johnson, a 6’5 2021 Wing from Moreau Catholic in Hayward Ca. was selected to play in the Top 30 game, but after watching him compete in 3 games of the camp, I realized he earned the right to be in the top game. No one attacked the offensive boards as aggressively and consistently as DJ. He has a nice 2 dribble drive move to the basket, and given the opportunity he will spot up in the corner for a 3 pt attempt. He also does a good job of rebounding and starting the fast break with his dribble.
Marsalis Roberson is a 6’4, 2021 prospect who attends Bishop O’Dowd in Oakland CA. Over the course of the camp I would look over on the other court and see Marsalis making a play. He obviously made a lot of plays in this camp because he too played in the final game scoring 9 points on a nice drives to the basket and he showed his range with a pull-up jumper and a 3 point shot. I’m looking forward to seeing more of this prospect during his season at Bishop O’Dowd. He makes plays.
Grant Tull 6’5, 2021 attends Gridley High School in Gridley, CA. Grant is a player who doesn’t need anyone to motivate him. I got the impression he loved competing in this atmosphere against the best prospects. Grant made his way into the final game with his versatility and hustle. The rangy lefty was knocking down three point shots, rebounding and starting the fast break, he has a pull-up jumper he used to score most of his points, and he used the 2 dribble drive to get to the basket for the finish, he works his way around the paint to get his fair share of rebounds and put backs, and was often the first player on the floor diving for loose balls . His original jersey was torn off scrapping for loose balls.
Joseph Hunter 6’3 2021. This guard will be playing at San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno Ca). I’m noticing more players from the Fresno area getting more attention because of another pretty good player (Jalen Green the #1 ranked 2020 player in the Country) from the area. Joseph played in the Top 30 game because he performed consistently through out the 3 games played in camp. He has the tools in the box. He handles the ball well, pushes on the the break and made some nice passes to cutting team mates. He attacks the rim hard on the drive, and has a good mid-range game, he proved he can shoot from behind the 3 point line throughout the camp, and he grabbed a good number of rebounds. Overall solid performance for this prospect. One to watch.
Congratulations to these prospects for being selected to the Top 30 Cream of the Crop Game. They were rewarded because they played hard and competed to the best of their ability against top competition on the West Coast.