Area Rankings: PDX Metro (West) – Top 10
We’re here to answer the question of, “Who are the 10 best prospects in the Portland area?” What are the stipulations? Well since the fact is that the PDX Metro area is rather large and full of prospects, we decided…
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Continue ReadingWe’re here to answer the question of, “Who are the 10 best prospects in the Portland area?”
What are the stipulations? Well since the fact is that the PDX Metro area is rather large and full of prospects, we decided to split it in two – East and West, with the Willamette River the line of demarcation. We’ve already taken a look at the East – so in the West regardless of class and regardless of positions, what are the top 10?
#1 – Jackson Shelstad Jackson Shelstad 6'0" | PG West Linn | 2023 State #55 Nation OR (2023 West Linn)
Perhaps it’s unfair but the fact that Shelstad is already drawing comparisons to former all-time state great and Lion Payton Pritchard is quite indicative of the potential the young point guard has. Currently listed at 5-foot-11 he’s probably not finished growing both in height and physical stature and this past season he more than proved that he can play – and excel – at the varsity level. Shelstad plays with a tremendous feel for the game and ranks as one of the top deep three-point shooters in the state. He’s already picked up multiple Division I scholarship offers and coaches in the Pac-12 will be closely watching him the next three years.
#2 – Drew Carter Drew Carter 6'3" | SG Tigard | 2021 OR (2021 Tigard)
The resume continues to build for Carter as the Tigard junior earned Three Rivers League MVP honors and First Team 6A All-State mention. The 6-foot-3 wing ranked second in the state in scoring, using his sweet stroke from the perimeter and his athleticism to create and finish at the rim. Already considered a Division I basketball recruit, the star quarterback is starting to see a rise in his recruitment on the football field too – with a recent offer from Colorado really elevating his stock.
#3 – Trace Salton Trace Salton 6'5" | SF Lake Oswego | 2021 State OR (2021 Lake Oswego)
With graduation losses and the move of Wayne McKinney to Southern California, there was an opportunity for Salton to step up this year and the junior delivered. With his strong 6-foot-5 frame, he proved to be a matchup nightmare for most down low. And as his perimeter game develops, Salton will become even more of a mismatch for opponents. College programs have noticed this as UC Riverside recently stepped up to give him his first Division I scholarship offer.
#4 – Dane Erikstrup Dane Erikstrup 6'10" | C Beaverton | 2021 State OR (2021 Beaverton)
Erikstrup was unique this past season as he became one of the only people in the state that most opposing defenses centered on stopping him. At 6-foot-10, he towered over most opponents and he used his soft touch and ability to finish with either hand to dominate in the paint. But Erikstrup isn’t chained down to the post as he is capable of stepping out and hitting long range jumpers out past the three-point line. He’s been working on improving his strength and athleticism and there’s no question college programs are watching his development closely.
#5 – Mason VanBeenen Mason VanBeenen 6'9" | PF West Linn | 2022 State OR (2022 West Linn)
Another big man who continues to come along is VanBeenen. At 6-foot-9, he has the footwork and skills to score down low but may be more comfortable out on the wing, where he can create off the dribble or use his soft touch to hit jumpers. The key with VanBeenen continues to be the physical nature of the game but he has been making progress.
#6 – Jalen Grable Jalen Grable 6'3" | SF Westview | 2021 OR (2021 Westview)
Grable has emerged as one of the top run-and-jump athletes in not only the PDX Metro area but the entire state. At 6-foot-4, he’s one of the best finishers on the break and he’s able to use his athleticism to his advantage both on the boards and defensively. Grable’s offensive game is still coming along as the majority of his scoring still comes around the basket.
#7 – Malik Brown Malik Brown 6'0" | PG Tigard | 2023 State OR (2023 Tigard)
While everyone knew that Brown and his twin brother Kalim would one day make an impact at Tigard, it was somewhat of a surprise they would do so immediately. Malik Brown Malik Brown 6'0" | PG Tigard | 2023 State OR ended up becoming the starter at point guard and he was a big part of Drew Carter Drew Carter 6'3" | SG Tigard | 2021 OR ’s supporting cast. As he learned on the fly, the 5-foot-11 freshman was a solid floor leader, passer, and defender.
#8 – Brady Grier Brady Grier 6'5" | SF Westview | 2021 State OR (2021 Westview)
Grier showed signs of becoming a major contributor his sophomore season and his development continued in 2019-20 as he became one of Westview’s main offensive weapons. At 6-foot-5 he has the size to score near the basket but also has a very nice touch from the perimeter. As his ability to create and score off the dribble improve, so will his statistics across the board.
#9 – Roy Bunn Roy Bunn 5'9" | PG Jesuit | 2021 State OR (2021 Jesuit)
After playing a major role coming off the bench for Jesuit’s 2019 6A title team, Bunn was thrust into the starting lineup and he more than delivered. He seamlessly fit right into the point guard role, directing the Jesuit motion offense by exceling in the drive-and-kick to the Crusaders outside shooters while also scoring a bit on his own. He was a real pest on defense as well.
#10 – Kyle Hamnes Kyle Hamnes 5'10" | CG Century | 2022 OR (2022 Century)
Hamnes is a bulldog of a combo guard, with an attacking mentality off the bounce while also having the ability to knock down open shots from the three-point line. He was one of the more productive members of the Class of 2022 this past season and with Century’s graduation losses, he’ll step into a very prominent role in 2020-21.