So-Cal Live Period events: Saturday standouts, Day 2
The second half of Saturday I had a chance to attend Ryan Silver’s West Coast Elite Spring Kickoff. Hundreds of teams converged on American Sports Center for the live-period event, and there were multiple standouts. So-Cal Live Period events: Saturday…
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Continue ReadingThe second half of Saturday I had a chance to attend Ryan Silver’s West Coast Elite Spring Kickoff. Hundreds of teams converged on American Sports Center for the live-period event, and there were multiple standouts.
So-Cal Live Period events: Saturday standouts, Day 2
Most improved
Maurice Holmes, 6-6 2020 W, West Coast Elite San Diego
Holmes has made marked improvement with his perimeter skill set, and it comes with continued conditioning and sculpting of his frame. Always a solid catch-and-shoot threat, Holmes is now attacking off the dribble with a purpose, and finishing through contact. He even threw down a couple of emphatic slams for good measure.
Best passer
Jailen Nelson, 5-10 2020 PG, West Coast Elite San Diego
The Carlsbad point guard has picked up where he left off during high school season, facilitating at an extremely high level. Nelson never seems to throw an off-target pass, and always shooters in rhythm and leads cutters. But Nelson is more than just a good passer, he is an improved scorer from the perimeter and in the paint.
Slashing and scoring
Savaughn Davis, 6-3 2020 G, SDA Soldiers
Davis attacked the paint with positive results for SDA Soldiers in their win over NBBA, finishing through contact and drawing fouls with regularity. The Mission Bay guard also rebounds the ball well for a guard, which allows him to advance the ball in transition – where he looks to attack.
Manning the point
Jordan Montgomery, 6-0 2020 PG, SDA Soldiers
Montgomery is making the most of his new digs, leading SDA Soldiers to a solid weekend at the WCE Spring Kickoff. The Rancho Christian guard pushes the ball with a purpose in transition, and changes speeds effectively in the half court. I was really impressed with his improved scoring through contact to complement his slick passing.
Best 2022/2023 prospect
Alexis Marmolejos, 6-1 2022 G, SDA Soldiers
This honor could also go to 6-5 Ky Green (brother of Josh Green), but I’ll give the nod to the speedy Marmolejos. A relentless penetrator, Marmolejos is an absolute blur in the open court. Once he learns to better harness that speed and play with better pace, he will be as difficult a guard to cover in Socal.
Best unsigned senior
Bryce Fitzgerald, 6-7 2019 PF, YBA Elite
Fitzgerald has a big body, solid athleticism and a versatile scoring package. He works hard to carve out position on the block and finishes above the rim with regularity. But Fitzgerald can also step out and hit the perimeter shot with a very fluid release. Some school will get a steal picking him up late in the process.
Best shooter
Nico Meza, 6-4 2021 SG, West Coast Elite San Diego
A very polished scorer, Meza had it working from all three levels in the 16u San Diego team’s competitive loss against YBA 17u Elite. But his ability to get his feet set and quickly let it fly from the perimeter stood out. Meza has come a long way improving his shot selection and as a result is as potent a scorer as there was on hand.
Notes:
- SDA Soldiers 17u Gold has a trio of undersized guards that can play at the next level in 5-10 Miles Williams, 5-10 Alex Bell and 5-11 Steve Stinson. Williams has been probably the most consistent both as a scorer and facilitator, while Bell has been impressive defensively. Stinson, more of a scoring guard, has shown flashes of solid court vision off the dribble drive.
- And 1 Academy 17u has a steady D3 point guard prospect in 5-9 Brady Williams. He is a capable facilitator, shoots it both from midrange and from three, and knows how to run a team.
- 6-4 W Elijah Randall (WCE San Diego 17u), looks leaner and as a result quicker on both ends of the floor. He continues his upward trajectory.
- 6-7 Saint Augustine F Nakial Cross might be the most athletic player in the gymnasium. He is ultra bouncy and has a very quick second jump. He has come a long way as a shooter too, but it’s the in between moments in his game that must improve for him to take the next step as a prospect.
- IEBP 17u has a pair of intriguing guard prospects in 2021s Sheldon Grant and Uryah Rojas. Rojas has had a major growth spurt to push him to 6-2, has slick handle and tremendous feel. Grant is a cerebral guard who has nice touch from the perimeter, but needs to get stronger.