San Diego High School Showcase – Junior Sleepers
Corky Smith Gym in San Marcos was abuzz last weekend for the two-day San Diego High School Showcase.
Organized by Gamepoint Basketball, the field included some of San Diego’s top programs and several of the top teams from the City and Southern sections.
We’ve given you standouts, breakout performers and guys who impressed with their improvement. Now, we delve into some sleepers, with underrated juniors up next.
San Diego High School Showcase – Junior Sleepers
Jack Bailey, 6-2 SG, Rancho Buena Vista
Bailey is simply one of the best shooters in the region. He gets his feet and shoulders squared quickly, and has one of the quickest releases you’ll see. Predominantly a catch-and-shoot threat, Bailey showed some flashes of shot making off the bounce, limited to one or two dribbles.
Noah Fields, 6-6 PF, Rancho Buena Vista
Bailey’s frontcourt mate is a big sleeper in his own right due to his long, rangy frame, excellent rebounding and budding skillset. He can hit shots out to 15 feet, but needs to continue to work on his consistency from that distance and beyond. But his physical growth really stands out. He’s got an outside chance of growing a few more inches, and if he gets to 6-7, 6-8, he will be a sleeper statewide.
Jackson Schultz, 6-3 G, Temecula Valley
Schultz, a long, rangy and crafty lead guard prospect, filled in capably for Schaefer during the first half of a win over Cathedral Catholic. Schultz has impressive court vision and can make all the passes you want to see out of a point guard, with either hand. He is a very reluctant scorer, though, and can be unselfish to a fault.
Vincent Warren, 6-4 F, Mater Dei Catholic
Much of the talk about Mater Dei Catholic (and rightfully so) has been about its deep sophomore group. But Warren and several of the Crusaders juniors have made huge strides. Warren is a jack-of-all trades forward who impacts the game with his motor and nose for the basket. He does most of his damage 15 feet and in, scoring on short drives, offensive boards and pick-and-roll layups. But he continues to improve his handle on short drives, and he gives an honest effort on defense. A very young 2020 prospect, Warren has some nice upside.
Isaiah Jones, 5-10 G, Vista
Very few players are blessed with the wheels Jones possesses. He can fly in the open court, and is doing a better job of playing under control, though that can still be an issue at times. Jones has an excellent motor, and impacts the game with his ability to rebound (very bouncy) for a guard and lock up perimeter scorers. His development has been an underrated part of Vista’s sustained success since the graduation of Taurus Samuels and Isaiah Morris.
Charlie Schmitz, 6-4 W, La Costa Canyon
Speaking of rebounders, there might not have been a more relentless one, pound-for-pound, Saturday morning than Schmitz (Cathedral’s Obinna Anyanwu might have something to say about that). Schmitz simply has a nose for the ball, and pursues missed shots relentlessly, both in the paint and out of his area. His offensive skill set is evolving, too, and he can shoot it from the short corners and put the ball on the deck off the wing. He needs to smoothen out his shooting mechanics from three, but moving forward, Schmitz is a player to monitor.