Oregon Team Camp: Top Point Guards
We had the opportunity to drop by Oregon Team Camp on Friday and Saturday, and got a fairly good look at many of the top squads from Oregon and Washington that were in attendance. Some of the teams were missing…
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Continue ReadingWe had the opportunity to drop by Oregon Team Camp on Friday and Saturday, and got a fairly good look at many of the top squads from Oregon and Washington that were in attendance. Some of the teams were missing guys for various reasons – notably many top players were up in Bellevue for the WIBCA showcase – but there were plenty of quality players in action. Here are some of the top point guards we saw.
Jayden Vranes (2020 Crater) – Every time we see Vranes he’s playing his rear end off and that was the case this past weekend. The 5-foot-10 rising senior in particular was determined to get to the basket and charged in whenever he saw an opening. He finished at the basket fairly well or kicked it out to Crater’s open shooters, or working the alley-oop to completion with teammate Nate Bittle. While we have seen Vranes knock down perimeter shots, it was interesting that in the four Comet games we watched he didn’t attempt a single one.
Sam Harris (2020 South Eugene) – We’d seen Harris in AAU ball with Team Fly and honestly he didn’t make much of an impression with us in the spring. That was different here at camp. The 5-foot-9 point guard shot the ball extremely well, both from three-point range and off the dribble. And while we didn’t necessarily see him drive and create much, he moved the ball on the perimeter and took shots when he had them and didn’t necessarily force the issue.
London Smalley (2020 Westview) – Smalley is emerging as Westview’s leader both with his play at the point but vocally as well. On the floor, he pushed the ball up the floor and while he took more risks in Eugene than he did at PSU camp (which led to more turnovers), he was able to find guys cutting to the basket fairly well for baskets. Defensively he gave great effort as always and considering how many charges he took, he could be one of the state’s leaders in that stat this upcoming year.
Trey Galbraith (2020 South Salem) – We didn’t get to see Galbraith as much as we did at PSU Team Camp, but from what we did see the 5-foot-8 floor leader was doing about the same – hitting threes, making good decisions with the ball, and capably leading his team as much with his own scoring as needed as setting up others.
Jackson Shelstad (2023 West Linn) – Shelstad largely ran with West Linn’s second unit but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him run with the first team in the fall. The 5-foot-10 rising freshman plays with a maturity beyond this years and already shoots the basketball from the outside like a seasoned veteran. He showed off a crafty dribble and was able to get to the basket and finish in transition.
Noah Ogoli (2022 Tualatin) – Ogoli is a rising sophomore who didn’t necessarily do anything eye-popping for Tualatin at camp, but he was steady with the basketball and made good decisions. He showed off a solid shot from the outside and seemed to have a pretty good for the flow of the game. Ogoli plays with Team Fly for AAU ball.
Jaden Stanley (2021 Evergreen) – As we saw with him in AAU action this spring, the 5-foot-10 guard may not look the part physically but he plays with swagger and a chip on his shoulder. He was quick with the basketball, fearless driving to the hoop, and wasn’t afraid to let the opponent know about it when he scored on him.
Izaiah Vongnath (2021 Union) – Vongnath will likely battle for the starting point guard spot next season at Union and if the way he’s been playing this summer is any indication, the job is his to lose. Sure, he’s small at 5-foot-6 (if that) but he’s quick and he can really shoot it from long range. Defensively he makes up for his lack of size with quick hands and a peskiness.