Bruce’s Best: Top Skills- West Coast Edition

It’s been a strange year, to say the least, however, I happen to be one of the fortunate ones. I was able to see a ton of talent over the last 12 months. With many states canceling or postponing their high school seasons, players have fled to greener pastures. Luckily for me, I’ve been able to see tons of prospects, allowing me to identify players with the top skill sets. Here’s a look at the West Coast players who are my best in each of these skills categories.  Best Shooter: John Christofolis 6’3 SG O’Dea (WA) 2021 – After looking at the numbers and talking to his peers, it really wasn’t that close.  Best R&J Athlete: Kiran OliverKiranOliver6'4" | SGPhhoenix Prep | 2021StateAZ 6’2 SG Phoenix Prep (AZ) 2021 – Jaw-dropping doesn’t even begin to describe this ridiculous R&J athlete Best Perimeter Defender: K.J Simpson 6’2 SG Chaminade (CA) 2021  – Lockdown defender who can dominate a game on the defensive end. Best Interior Defender:  Kaden PerryKadenPerry6'9" | CBattle Ground | 2021State#16NationWA 6’9 PF Battle Ground (WA) 2021 - Strength, lateral quickness, combined with rim protection ability. Best Rebounder: Daryian MatthewsDaryianMatthews6'5" | PFDysart | 2021StateAZ 6’5 PF Dysart (AZ) 2021 – Vacuum handed, fundamental rebounder. Most Versatile: – Malachi MurrellMalachiMurrell6'2" | SFShadow Hills | 2022State 6’2 SF Shadow Hills (CA) 2022 - Positionless defender that can legit defend 1 through 4 at the high school level.  Best Passer: Milos Uzan 6’3 PG 2022 Prolific Prep (CA)- Makes both the easy and the difficult throw alike.  Best Rim Protector: Isiah Carr 6’11 PF Las Cruces (NM) 2022 – Rangy shot-blocker who has good length and applies good timing.  Best Scorer: Jaden Hardy 6’4 CG Coronado (NV) 2021  – Unlimited range, flashy handle, combined with advanced level iso ability.  Best Upside: – Kaden PerryKadenPerry6'9" | CBattle Ground | 2021State#16NationWA 6’9 PF Battle Ground 2021 - Size and athleticism and he’s headed to a program known for developing players.  Best Handle: Tavionte Jackson 6’1 PG Las Vegas 2022 – Savy handles with the ability to use all COD’s effectively. Best Low Post Scorer: Pablo Banchero 6’9 PF O’Dea 2021 – Block bully that can disloge and then finish at the rim.  Best Physical Specimen: Alpha Chimbaze 6’4 SF Jserra (CA)  – Powerfully built specimen that’s fast and explosive.  Best Undervalued Prospect: Jaylen Alexander 6’6 SF Nampa (ID) 2021 - Been a long winding road for Alexander, but he clearly has the length, size, and scoring ability of a D1 wing.  Best Sleeper:  Alex Horriuk 6’11 C Jesuit (CA) 2021 - Big strong powerful 5 man changes ends of the floor fluidly.  Best P&R Guard:  Nolan Hickman 6’2 PG Wasatch (UT) 2021 - Not even a close 2nd, Hickman has the fundamentals and craftiness to dominate in ball screen action. Best Under 6’0: –  Simon WheelerSimonWheeler5'8" | PGBella Vista Prep | 2021StateAZ 5’9 PG Bella Vista (AZ) 2021 - Absolute Blur, that is impossible to stay in front of.  Best Effort Player:  – Ricardo SarmientoRicardoSarmiento5'11" | PGPhhoenix Prep | 2021StateAZ 5’11 PG Phoenix Prep (AZ) 2021 - Lockdown defender, leader, and high energy guy. Follow Prep Hoops