Hoops By Ugland Fall High School Showcase: Top Wings
ONTARIO — The inaugural Hoops By Ugland Fall High School showcase brought together 20 of Southern California’s well-known programs, in addition to some looking to get their school on the map, and a prep school program from Arizona. The one…
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Continue ReadingONTARIO — The inaugural Hoops By Ugland Fall High School showcase brought together 20 of Southern California’s well-known programs, in addition to some looking to get their school on the map, and a prep school program from Arizona.
The one day event featured 18 games inside the Colony high school gymnasium with highly recruited and under-the-radar players showing out in their respective games. Below you will find evaluations and analysis of six of the top wing performances of the day.
Denim Dawson, Colony
Dawson has long been one of the most dynamic open court athletes in SoCal, and while that hasn’t changed, the 6-foot-5 junior continues to add to and improve his overall game. One of the biggest upgrades Dawson has made is on the defensive side of the ball as a shot blocker and rebounder. While he continues to be a high flying finisher, Dawson has also shown growth when shooting the 3-point shot off the catch.
Kiimani Holt, PHHoenix Prep Red
Holt, an Arizona-based prospect committed to Portland State, is the very definition of a transition threat. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound senior is a powerful downhill athlete who absorbs contact, stays on balance and can score above the rim or with an acrobatic finish. Holt showed his defensive chops, as well, taking on some difficult assignments and guarding multiple positions.
David Manea, Beckman
Manea has the chance to be one of the leading scorers in Orange County this season and he’s only a freshman. The 6-foot-5 wing uses a combination of power, footwork and soft touch to score efficiently in the paint, and when he gets downhill going to his right, there’s little a defender can do to stop him. Manea needs to work on his ball skills, especially going left, to round-out his already impressive skill set.
Josh O’Garro, Santa Clarita Christian
O’Garro continues his rise from unknown to a guy with next-level potential. At 6-feet-5 with impressive length and fluid athleticism, the junior has the prototypical size for a next level wing and adds plenty of skill to go along with his natural basketball frame. O’Garro is a smooth finisher in transition and can break defenders down in isolation to get to the rim. He also has smooth shooting mechanics out to the 3-point line.
Sonora’s Marqui Worthy (left) used his inside-out skill set to impact the game on both ends of the floor.Malik Thomas, Damien
Thomas remains one of the premier scorers in the area and his improvements as a catch-and-shoot threat from distance have only enhanced that. The 6-foot-3 junior is always in attack mode in transition and gets into the paint at-will because of his strength and balance. Thomas has improved his offensive IQ over the last couple of years and forces far less offensive action than he used to.
Marqui Worthy, Sonora
Worthy is an interesting prospect because of his physical make-up and skill set. The sophomore stands about 6-feet-2 and sports a strong 185-pound (or so) frame. Worthy uses that strength to abuse smaller defenders in the paint and power through contact for close-range baskets. Worthy also has the ball skills to operate on the perimeter and initiate offense as needed.