COTC Senior Open Run – Event Sleepers
In addition to writing for Prep Hoops, I also organize events in the San Diego. This weekend, I hosted the inaugural Creme of the County Senior Open Run, a showcase for unsigned seniors.
The last-minute venue switch to Mission Bay High School didn’t dampen the turnout or the enthusiasm, as 34 of the region’s unsigned senior crop – and one sophomore – participated in three games in front of onlookers and several college coaches.
In the second of several reports, we look at the sleepers at the event, including several guards who opened our eyes, and a wing who has a chance to be a Division 1 player when it’s all said and done.
Charles Williams, 6-6 W, La Costa Canyon
Williams is the most intriguing senior prospect perhaps in all of San Diego due to his combination of size and skill on the perimeter. He’s primarily a catch and shoot guy at this stage, but has a little wiggle off the bounce to create open jumpers from the midrange. He needs to physically get stronger and develop that third level of scoring at the basket in the half court, which is why I think he’s an ideal one-year JUCO candidate. He’s got Division 1 potential if it comes together.
Grant Childs, 5-10 G, Steele Canyon
He doesn’t have a high profile “north of the 8,” as we say in San Diego, but the Steele Canyon senior (featured image) is one of the best scoring guards in the section. Childs does pound it a bit at times and his shot selection can give you pause, but when he’s feeling it it’s hard to argue with the results. He gets downhill to his right and finishes plays with a nice midrange and layup package. Childs is also an excellent defender to boot. At the juco level, he could refine his playmaking skills and shot selection and could develop into quite the guard.
Keyshawn Bradley, 6-0 G, Madison
I’ve been a big fan of Bradley’s game for some time, and he’s starting to put it together as a very young senior (turns 17 this month). Bradley has the prerequisite length, athleticism and handle you’d like from a college combo guard. He is improving his shot selection and his decision making off the bounce. I’d like to see him become more assertive at times offensively attacking the basket, where he finishes at a solid clip. Another likely JUCO product, if he takes care of books and ball at that level, he could wind up playing his way into the D2 ranks.
Zack Tynes, 5-11 G, Mira Mesa
If there is one word to describe Tynes, it’s tough. The 5-11 guard looks more like a high school linebacker than combo guard, and his physique and physicality resemble that of a football player, too. Tynes makes his mark on defense, where he is a lockdown perimeter defender. He has excellent lateral quickness and anticipation, and uses his strength to overpower smaller guards into turnovers. Offensively he’s raw, but he’s an excellent glue guy at the high school level and there’s always room at the JUCO level for someone who is committed to the defensive end.
Jaylen Reynolds, 5-8 G, Eastlake
The long, lanky lefty looks like he’s a high school freshman, but the senior has a very mature game. He’s crafty off the bounce and showed that he can both avoid contact and absorb contact and finish with a very seasoned package of layups and runners. Reynolds is also longer than you would expect, and this helps him defensively guarding bigger guards. His shooting from three needs work, and he’s not a burner off the bounce, but his craftiness makes up for it. Has the grades and scores to be a D3 player.
Tryston Trejo, 5-11 G, Mission Vista
Mission Vista’s floor general has nice size at 5-11 and length and is a crafty customer off the bounce. He’s not a tremendous athlete, but changes speeds and uses his crossover to get by defenders, and he’s a very solid passer in pick-and-roll and drive and kick. Additionally, he is a solid shooter from the perimeter. The Timberwolves look to be significantly better than last year’s 2-24 season, and Trejo will be a big part of the improvement.
Andre Love, 5-11 G, San Diego
Love has been playing with a ton of confidence during the latter half of fall league, and he continued his impressive streak at this event, scoring from three, midrange and attacking the basket. Love has nice length, good change of pace, and is improving in all facets of his game. His decision making with the ball still needs to improve, but he’s making very solid strides in that area. He’s a player who will need to go to JUCO and possibly greyshirt to get stronger to handle the rigors of junior college ball, but he’s worth the investment.