Practice Report: Sunset Apollos
Practice has started around the state and PrepHoops Oregon continues to make the rounds to get a look at teams before the season starts. Thursday afternoon’s visit was to see the Sunset Apollos. Head coach Todd Sherwood has some of the most size in the Metro League and the Apollos should be able to make some noise this season.
Here are observations on some of the team’s top players at practice:
Will Reese (2019)
Reese has been Sunset’s top post player for a couple of years now and that shouldn’t change his senior season. At 6-foot-6, he has good size for the middle but over the summer he worked on expanding his game offensively. While the release is a little slow, Reese can face up and hit the open jumper out to three-point range, and has the ability to put the ball on the floor a little and attack the basket. Defensively, he’s a shot-blocking threat both directly facing the opponent or coming in from the weak side. A good student, Reese is being hotly pursued by several local D-III programs.
Braeden Sato (2020)
Sato is the engine the drives Sunset’s offense. He’s lean and smaller at 5-foot-8 but he worked over the summer to build strength and it shows. Sato pushes the ball well up the floor and looks to make the right play and doesn’t over-penetrate. His outside shot is improving but it’s his ability to get the ball to the open shooters that will dictate the Apollos success this season. Largely because of his size, Sato projects as a D-III/NAIA type of player but he could get some D-II looks as well. We will have an update posted on him soon.
Tristan Rainbolt (2019)
Sunset has perhaps the most size in the Metro League and Rainbolt is a big reason why. At 6-foot-7, he’s not only tall but has some fairly good athleticism to add to his height. Rainbolt runs the floor well and can finish in transition with the dunk, but can also face up and hit the perimeter shot. Rainbolt is moving up to varsity from JV so there will be some adjustment but based on what we saw in practice, he could be a sleeper.
Colby King (2020)
King may have been the most productive player we saw during the window of practice we watched. A big reason why is the solidly built 6-foot-4 junior has a great motor. King was playing hard on both ends, fighting for rebounds, and taking the ball strong to the basket. He struck us as the type of player that makes an impact on the game even if you don’t run a single play for him with the ball.
Sam Mulheim (2019)
The 6-foot-2 senior will also be a key contibutor to the team according to Sherwood. The younger brother of current Portland Pilots women’s basketball player Maddie Mulheim, Sam Mulheim like her sibling can shoot it from the outside.