SoCal Recruiting Roundup (Part III)
With the 2019-2020 high school basketball season fast-approaching, senior prospects (and one junior) are quickly cutting their lists of potential college fits and many have taken it a step further by shutting down their recruitments with a commitment. In this…
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Continue ReadingWith the 2019-2020 high school basketball season fast-approaching, senior prospects (and one junior) are quickly cutting their lists of potential college fits and many have taken it a step further by shutting down their recruitments with a commitment. In this piece we analyze some of the pledges among Southern California seniors. Here are the third five.
Devin Askew to Kentucky
Askew is the first class of 2021 prospect off the board and he went to the highest of levels as many expected him to do by picking Kentucky. There is some speculation that the 6-foot-3 point guard will eventually move in to the 2020 class and head to Lexington next fall and his game is certainly ready to do just that. The Mater Dei standout has a high level feel for the game, has improved his passing and distributing over the last two years and is an effective three-level scorer. One thing that all high level players have in common is a relentless work ethic and Askew doesn’t stray from that.
Mason Hooks to Princeton
Hooks is one of few true post players in SoCal and in the country, really. The 6-foot-10 center boasts broad shoulders on his 260-plus pound frame and he knows how to use that strength to his advantage in the paint. Hooks can score with his back to the basket and with a rolling hook shot across the lane. He does have some modern big man to his game with his ability to knock down the face-up shot the the 3-point line. For Hooks to be a successful rim protector at the next level he will need to improve his vertical leaping ability to contest shots at a high level.
Bishop Montgomery forward Isaiah Johnson recently committed to Oregon State.Isaiah Johnson to Oregon State
Johnson’s progression from intriguing but raw freshman at Crean Lutheran to Pac 12 recruit at Bishop Montgomery has been one of the better storylines in SoCal high school hoops over the last three years. The 6-foot-7 forward isn’t the most skilled guy on the floor, but he’s the hardest working and most productive in just about every game he plays in. Johnson is a big time athlete in transition and crashes the offensive and defensive glass with purpose. What stands out most about Johnson is his ability to guard 1-5 at the high school level, and because of his lack of a refined perimeter skill-set, his defensive acumen could help him see early playing time at OSU.
Camren Pierce to Cal Poly SLO
Pierce doesn’t get enough credit for how good he is at basketball. The 6-foot point guard doesn’t play on a shoe circuit club team or a high school team that is followed by a horde of cameramen, but because of that he’s been able to develop an all-around game complete with a high IQ and vocal leadership qualities. Pierce is a steady ball handler and decision-maker and his competitiveness and ability to defend his position will be valued assets at the next level.
Aidan Prukop to Cal Poly SLO
Prukop is another member of the solid class put together by the new coaching staff at Cal Poly. The 6-foot-4 wing has developed from a spot shooter to a guy who can still hit the open catch-and-shoot, but who can also initiate offense and create shots for himself and others off the bounce as the biggest improvement Prukop has made to his game over the last few years has been in the ball handling department. Prukop has good size and length to defend Big West wings and, coming from Mater Dei, already has a good understanding of team defensive concepts.