Little Big Men – San Diego’s top players 5-10 and under
It isn’t easy being little on the hardwood. In a sport where 6-0 is considered “short,” you have to be extra special to succeed beneath that threshold. San Diego has a history of “mighty mice” types over the years, from…
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Continue ReadingIt isn’t easy being little on the hardwood. In a sport where 6-0 is considered “short,” you have to be extra special to succeed beneath that threshold.
San Diego has a history of “mighty mice” types over the years, from Steele Canyon’s Richie Williams to Sweetwater’s Spencer Mattox.
This year, there are quite a few players 5-10 and below who are having a big impact. Who are the best of the bunch?
Prep Hoops So-Cal gives you its best “little big men.”
Little Big Men – San Diego’s top players 5-10 and under
1. Jaren Nafarrete, 5-8 2019 PG, Foothills Christian
You can’t go wrong with either Nafarrete or Raymond Lu at the top spot, but we give Nafarrete the slightest of nods. Naffarete has been a quiet, steadying force on the varsity level for four years. He’s having a big statistical year, and comes up even bigger in crunch time for the Knights.
2. Raymond Lu, 5-9 2019 PG, La Jolla Country Day
Lu has wreaked havoc on opposing point guards since the day he stepped foot on the Torreys campus. This year, he has had multiple double-digit assists game and is the cog that makes Country Day’s offense the well-oiled machine that it is. Lu is one of the few SD players who can control a game without scoring a basket.
3. Jailen Nelson, 5-10 2020 PG, Carlsbad
The Lancers are on the verge of making an appearance in the U-T Top 10 poll, and Nelson has been the catalyst. Carlsbad is a different team since he joined the lineup after sitting out after transferring from Sage Creek. Nelson gets into the paint at will and dazzles with his creative passing and ball handling.
4. Kyle Paranada, 5-6 G, Montgomery
The Aztecs have one of the more gifted scorers in San Diego in Paranada. Despite being the smallest and slightest player on the floor, Paranada scores prolifically, especially from beyond the arc, where he hoists in jumpers from as far as the timeline. He recently set the school’s career scoring record, a testament to his bucket-getting abilities.
5. Adam Sevier, 5-10 PG, Poway
Poway’s leader has been wreaking havoc on teams all season. The athletic combo guard scores from all three levels and gives opposing guards nightmares on defense. He might also be the most confident guard on the list, a trait that a little guard has to have to have a big impact.
6. Dominic Safarta, 5-6 PG, Valhalla
Safarta transferred schools during the summer, and Valhalla has unleashed him on the Division 3 landscape – with devastating results. You could argue that no single player is more important to their team in San Diego than Safarta is to the Norseman. From bombing threes from the volleyball line, to the dazzling passes to his shooting teammates, Safarta has written a brilliant final chapter to his high school career.
7. Roman Wright, 5-10 PG, Rancho Bernardo
Wright has been the one constant in the Broncos starting lineup this year, on both ends. Offensively, Wright gets into the lane and creates for himself and his teammates, and hits shots from deep. Defensively, he picks up 94 feet with the best of them.
8. Alex Bell, 5-10 PG, Serra
This name might be a surprise to some who don’t follow the Q’s but Bell deserves to be mentioned among the best little guys in the section. A great first step, smooth shooting and fearless scoring describe this up and coming guard, who has his biggest games against the best opponents.
9. Gio Martinez, 5-7 PG, Olympian
The lilliputian leader of the Eagles has been on varsity since his freshman year, helping the Eagles make the CIF Finals that year. Since then, he’s been a steadying leader, using his speed to get into the paint and open up easy shooting windows for his teammates. His feisty mentality on defense is infectious.
10. Miles Williams, 5-8 PG, Christian
Williams essentially replaced Safarta at Christian. The Francis Parker transfer has had a breakout year shouldering a big offensive and defensive load for the Patriots. Williams has an advanced mid-range game, and defensively he’s a dog.
11. MoMo Stokes, 5-7 PG, Bonita Vista
Stokes is generally the smallest player on the floor, but that doesn’t stop him from mixing it up with the big boys. The Barons point guard is an underrated rebounder for his size, and does an excellent job of getting both feet in the paint on most possessions. One of four sophomores on the varsity team, Stokes and teammate DJ Sanders have made the biggest impact.
12. Steve Stinson, 5-10 G, San Diego
Like the kids say, Stinson is a “bucket.” The aggressive scoring guard has nice strength and athleticism, drives in straight lines and gets into the paint and absorbs contact on the finish. Stinson also has a solid mid-range pull-up package.
13. Jason Danso, 5-9 PG, Rancho Buena Vista
Arguably the best defender on the list, Danso has solid quickness, footwork, quick hands and an aggressive mentality on the defensive end. Coach Aaron Abrams uses him to frustrate the opponent’s best perimeter player, and it usually works.