MLK Day Showcase – Sophomore standouts
Christian Coach Davion Famber has rapidly established the region’s top MLK Day basketball event in Year 2 of the MLK Day Showcase. The nine-game event – which featured great hospitality and media-friendliness – featured several squads knocking on the door…
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Continue ReadingChristian Coach Davion Famber has rapidly established the region’s top MLK Day basketball event in Year 2 of the MLK Day Showcase. The nine-game event – which featured great hospitality and media-friendliness – featured several squads knocking on the door of San Diego’s top 10, including Montgomery, Carlsbad, Sweetwater and Mater Dei Catholic.
The number of sophomores who produced for their team was the big surprise of the showcase. We discuss their efforts in the first of two reports dedicated to the 2021 class.
MLK Day Showcase – Sophomore standouts
2021 W Caleb Nelson is a pure shooter off the catchCaleb Nelson, 6-5 WF, Carlsbad
Nelson was one of the purest shooters on hand, knocking down shots off the catch from three and midrange. He’s not much of a threat off the dribble yet, but can create space with his one-dribble pull-up, and elevate over smaller defenders. Scored a team-high 16 points in the win over Sweetwater.
Jimmy Mattox, 5-11 G, Sweetwater
Mattox runs hot and cold as a scorer, and his production goes as his outside shooting goes. When he’s on, as he was for stretches in the loss to Carlsbad, he’s tough – Mattox scored a team-high 14 points, but on 13 shots. For Mattox to take the next step as a prospect, he needs to develop mid range and scoring off of the bounce.
CJ McMillan, 6-5 F, Sweetwater
Carlsbad double teamed and denied McMillan the ball, limiting him to 5 points on the night. But the fact they paid so much attention to him shows how potent of a playmaker he is once the ball is in his hands. McMillan showed flashes of his skill off the dribble and forcefulness in the paint. He needs to play with better balance, but there’s no denying he’s got a ton of game.
Kailon King, 6-1 G, Mater Dei Catholic
King, who transferred from Patrick Henry as a freshman, had his breakout game in a Crusaders uniform, scoring 21 points in the 76-70 win over Rancho Bernardo. The smooth-shooting combo guard hit two consecutive triples and a pull up to put the game out of reach. The crafty King has solid ball skills and is a willing passer in the halfcourt. As he gets physically stronger, it will allow him to handle the ball better against pressure defense and finish through contact.
Jessie Campbell, 6-2 G, Mater Dei Catholic
Campbell’s defensive intensity turned the tide in Mater Dei Catholic’s win. He stole the ball from RB’s reliable senior point guard Roman Wright, which infused the Crusaders with confidence down the stretch. Campbell is physical and athletic, and thrives in transition and straight line drives in the halfcourt. As he becomes more comfortable managing the game in the halfcourt, his stock will soar.
Dreonta Raymond, 6-2 G, Crawford
Raymond is best described as a “basketball player.” He’s supremely productive – he led the Colts’ comeback win over West Hills with 16 points and 16 rebounds. He’s not a burner off the bounce, but he’s relentless and strong, and physical enough to finish plays through contact or draw fouls. Like a number of players at the showcase, he’s prone to prone shot selection and over dribbling, but I believe it’s more a result of the lack of depth and personnel around him. He’s a player.