2021’s Best: Top Scorers
With the 2019-20 high school hoops season in the books, and the updated class of 2021 rankings set to drop any day now, there’s no better time to take a look at some of the top junior prospects by position.…
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Continue ReadingWith the 2019-20 high school hoops season in the books, and the updated class of 2021 rankings set to drop any day now, there’s no better time to take a look at some of the top junior prospects by position. Here are some of the guys who you can rely on to get you a bucket in just about any situation.
Peyton Watson, Long Beach Poly – The 6-foot-7 wing showed his all-around game this season as he inherited the role as Poly’s go-to guy. Watson has an effortlessness to his game that doesn’t come around very often and it showed most when beating defenders off the bounce, keeping his center of gravity low to he ground, and using his length to extend to the bucket for paint finishes. Watson was also took his mid-range game to another level as he took advantage of his size and length to elevate and shoot over defenders after stopping on a dime.
Reese Dixon-Waters, St. Bernard – If there’s one word that comes to mind when thinking of Dixon-Waters’ game it’s “smooth.” Like Watson, the 6-foot-5 guard gets to his spots and elevates for perimeter jumpers with ease, knocking them down from a variety of spots and distances on the floor. The recent USC-commit has fluid shooting mechanics and stays on balance through his shot no matter if it’s a catch-and-shoot situation or off the bounce.
Damien’s Malik Thomas is one of the premier scorers in SoCal’s 2021 class. (Photo: Jelissa Holder).Kenneth Simpson, Jr., Chaminade – The 6-foot-2 combo guard is one of the more powerful and explosive perimeter players in the state and he used those qualities to overwhelm defenders in transition. It’s nearly impossible to keep Simpson out of the paint in transition, and when he gets close to the rim, he can take off one foot for a poster dunk or power-up off of two feet for a finish through contact. Simpson is no slouch from the perimeter, either, as he can hit three-point shots when give time and space.
Malik Thomas, Damien – If there’s anyone who embodies the term “wired to score,” it’s Thomas, and he’s been that way ever since entering high school. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard has the ability to create offensive looks for himself in a variety of ways and is a guy who can make tough, off-balance and contested shots. Thomas has a knockdown pull-up jumper at the mid-range level and uses his strength to finish through contact around the basket. One of the biggest things that stands out about Thomas’ offensive repertoire is the fact that he’s comfortable and confident taking shots in clutch situations.
Josh O’Garro, Santa Clarita Christian – The 6-foot-5 lefty had a breakout season in helping the Cardinals with the CIF Southern Section Division 2AA championship. O’Garro used his length and athleticism to get by defenders and extend to the basket and finish. The biggest strides he made in his game came on the perimeter with his jumper. O’Garro has a good rhythm pull-up from the 15-foot mark on the baseline and became a more reliable three-point shooter as the season went on.