2023 Player Watch from Hoop Review
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A couple of weeks ago the Hoop Review event in Oakland, CA was held, there was a good number of prospects from the Bay Area, Sacramento, and Fresno. NorCal has a large number of prospects with hopes of playing ball…
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Continue ReadingA couple of weeks ago the Hoop Review event in Oakland, CA was held, there was a good number of prospects from the Bay Area, Sacramento, and Fresno. NorCal has a large number of prospects with hopes of playing ball at the next level. Here’s my take on another group of 2023 prospects who I thought played well at this event.
Reid Jones 6’2 Combo Guard, Jesuit.
I saw Jones play two games on Sunday. He’s a prospect to keep an eye on coming out of the Sacramento Area. A good ball handler who’s head is always up while pushing in transition. He sees the court, he made good long passes up the court. He handles ball pressure, and was a good facilitator in half court sets. Off the ball he showed he could score when the opportunity presented itself. He has a good shot on the wings, and a nice pull up in the paint.
Kaleb Allison Kaleb Allison 6'1" | PG Pinole Valley | 2023 State CA-N 6’0 Combo Guard, Pinole Valley.
Allison is a athletic prospect who showed his versatility playing both guard positions. The lefty at 6’0 showed off his ability to throw it down on a couple of occasions in transition. Allison is fast, with a burst of speed that made it tough for defenders to stay in front of him. He moved over to point guard on Sunday, where was patient in running the offense, made solid passes to teammates, and could readily get his shot when needed. He’s on the Wright Watch list.
Darrien Russell 5’10 Point Guard, John Swett
Russell played well on Saturday the two games I observed. He’s a pass first point guard with good command, and patience to be an effective facilitator in the half court. He knows his teammates, and where to deliver the ball. He has good court sense. He plays under control most of the time, picking and choosing when to get into the paint for kick outs, dump offs, or just getting his own shot.
Donovan Cooks 6’1 Combo Guard, Dublin.
Cooks, spent some time at the off guard position at this event. He was aggressive on the finish in transition, got to the basket working the baseline, and challenging post players. He ran the point at times, showing good patience, vision, and passing skills. He had some success breaking down defenders on the drive. Cooks works to stay between man and ball, with good help on the defensive end. I’ll see more of him.
Courtney Anderson Courtney Anderson 6'4" | SG Dublin | 2023 State #151 Nation CA-N Jr 6’3 Shooting Guard Dublin.
A good catch and shoot prospect for now, he can make shots from the corner, and wings. He’ll sprint to one of those spots in transition for a no hesitation 3ptr. Anderson has a good upside, he’s long, still growing, and has a good understanding of the game. His handling is improved, he got to the paint a few times off the dribble. His long arms, and lateral movement should help on the defensive end.
Ahmaree McCullough Ahmaree McCullough 5'9" | PG Oakland Tech | 2023 State CA-N 5’11 Point Guard, St Joseph Notre Dame.
McCollough a good on ball defender, who’ll hound you up court, he has good speed moving laterally, and a toughness to make things difficult on the opposing ball handlers, and can be a disrupter to the opposing teams offense. He’s aggressive going to the basket, using body, and willing to take the hit to get his shot. McCollough has an improving mid-range jumper.