Arizona Fall Shootout- Stock Raisers
Gerry Freitas put together a very good weekend of competition at Williams Field High School for his two-day Arizona Fall Showcase. Each team had four games to showcase their wares in front of several regional scouts, as well as college…
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Continue ReadingGerry Freitas put together a very good weekend of competition at Williams Field High School for his two-day Arizona Fall Showcase. Each team had four games to showcase their wares in front of several regional scouts, as well as college coaches in attendance.
This report is the first of several from the event, and touches on players who outplayed their current Prep Hoops rankings.
Donovan Dent Donovan Dent 6'1" | PG Corona Centennial | 2022 State CA-S , 6-3 2022 G, Prime 17u
I got to watch Dent a lot this weekend, and left with the impression that his current ranking (#27 So-Cal 2022) might be too low. The slender, crafty scoring guard plays with excellent pace and has a nose for the bucket. Dent changes speeds to elude defenders and finishes in an array of ways around, over and through shot blockers (much stronger than his frame suggests). While more of a scorer at this point, he has underrated court vision and doubles as a capable playmaker off the bounce.
Alpha Chibambe Alpha Chibambe 6'4" | SF JSerra | 2022 CA-S , 6-5 2022 W, Prime 17u
You can count on your hand the number of athletes more explosive than Chibambe, who put together a highlight reel of devastating dunks all weekend. An active rebounder who plays much bigger than his listed height, Chibambe explodes off the ground and has the strength to power through opposing bigs. But he’s not just a dunker: Chibambe is a capable spot-up shooter who moves well without the ball and a lockdown perimeter defender. He’s going to make a big move up the rankings from his current perch (#37 So-Cal 2022)
Otto Landrum Otto Landrum 6'8" | PF Torrey Pines | 2022 State CA-S , 6-9 PF, Gamepoint 16u Elite
Landrum (#49 So-Cal 2022) was a force all weekend, including an impromptu performance on the 17u level. The active big’s best attribute is his rebounding ability on both ends. Landrum pursues rebounds aggressively in and out of his area. He is also a very good passer in the half court and transition. But it’s Landrum’s rapid improvement of his mobility and lateral athleticism that have enhanced his scoring and playmaking ability on offense. He is solidifying himself as a Top 5 prospect in SD’s 2022 class and easily the class’ best post prospect.
Vincent Berlucchi Vincent Berlucchi 6'7" | SF La Costa Canyon | 2022 State CA-S , 6-7 F, Gamepoint 16u Elite
Berlucchi continues to impress with the development of his perimeter skillset and assertiveness on offense. If his feet are set, Berlucchi is a knockdown shooter off the wing and from the corner. He handles it well enough to finish straight line drives off of ball fakes and is a willing and clever passer off the bounce. In transition, Berlucchi sprints the lanes and has the athleticism to finish above the rim with force. The next step in his development is improving his finishing in the halfcourt, which should improve with improved upper body strength. But Berlucchi looks like a player who can move up considerably from his current ranking (#60 So-Cal 2022)
Tyson Robinson Tyson Robinson 6'0" | CG El Camino | 2021 State CA-S , 6-0 G, Coastal Elite 17u
Schools should really start paying attention to this compactly built scoring guard. Robinson’s three-point shooting improvement has been rather dramatic, to the point I can count on my hand the number of shots he missed all weekend. This pairs well with his ability to finish around the basket; Robinson (#55, So-Cal 2021) has a very nice package of floaters and runners around the rim, and absorbs contact and finishes through it. More scorer than playmaker, Robinson also is a very strong on-ball perimeter defender.
Christian Gamboa, 6-3 G, West Coast Flight
Gamboa didn’t get to see a ton of high level talent this weekend, but in a game against a competitive 17u team on Sunday, Gamboa shined the brightest. Gamboa attacked the basket at will (right-hand dominant), and showed feathery touch on his mid-range pull-up jump shots. He was streaky from three, but knocked down shots from the corner off the catch. He also showed his improved explosiveness almost pulling off a ridiculous driving dunk in the halfcourt. Gamboa doesn’t get a ton of fanfare on his HS team, but he could crack the rankings if he continues his solid fall play.