Hustle SZN Kickoff 2024 All Tournament Team
This past weekend, Irvine, CA played host the Hustle SZN Kickoff event marking the beginning of the AAU basketball season. Some of the top talent from Northern and Southern California, and Nevada took part in the two-day event. I was…
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Continue ReadingThis past weekend, Irvine, CA played host the Hustle SZN Kickoff event marking the beginning of the AAU basketball season. Some of the top talent from Northern and Southern California, and Nevada took part in the two-day event. I was able to focus on the players from the Class of 2024, and here’s a look at some of the players who stood out throughout the course of the weekend.
1. Ja’marrion Smith – Mojave (CA)
Smith was consistently one of the better scorers of the weekend playing for West Coast United. He has the ability to score from all three levels. He can handle the ball and has a pretty good slashing game. He can draw contact and get himself to the free-throw line. Comfortable making plays with the ball in his hands and he can knock down step-back jumpers. He also uses screens well to free himself up. He can Euro-step his way into the lane. Looks like he has some high upside as a wing prospect.
2. Dedan Thomas Jr – Liberty (NV)
Thomas was not only one of the best point guards of the weekend, but one of the best players as well. He looked very comfortable and in his element playing up on a 17U team with West Coast Select. He has a solid feel for the game as a young player and he’s got good court vision and awareness. He pushes the pace well in transition and can find his open teammates. He doesn’t get rattled by defensive pressure and he’s a crafty ball-handler who can get to his spots. A real point guard.
3. Izaias White – Lathrop (CA)
White-Dempsey was another 2024 player who played up in the 17U Division with Lathrop Thunder. He’s a very solid wing prospect who has a little bit of playmaking to his game. In transition, he can hit the open teammate or finish the play himself. He’s very active in the paint and around the rim and snakes in for offensive rebounds and put-back opportunities. Strong player with good body control who finishes through the defense. He’s got good defensive instincts and can start fast breaks with his defense.
4. Jayden Jones Jayden Jones 6'4" | SG Desert Oasis | 2024 State NV – West Coast Select
Jones was one of the better wing prospects of the weekend on a very good West Coast Select team. He can handle the ball on the break and he keeps his head up. Makes the right reads/passes. He’s also a knockdown outside shooter who moves very well without the ball. He floats out to the perimeter or makes good cuts cuts on the baseline. He likes the corner three, he squares up well and gets his feet set and has good shooting mechanics.
5. Cedric Ragland – Timberline (WA)
Ragland is a pretty solid guard with a good slashing game who played with West Coast Academy. He’s strong too and can power his way to the rim through the defense. Finishes strong over bigger defenders. He can draw the defense and hit his teammates with little dump-off passes. Not really a point guard, he’s more of a scoring guard, but he’s comfortable with the ball in his hands and making plays. He isn’t the biggest player on the court, but he fights hard on the glass.
6. Tyrese Lynch – Cali Elite Anthony
Lynch is a bit of a tweener between a guard and a forward. As he gets older, he’ll likely get a more defined position, but he was still one of the better standouts from the weekend. He’s not really a point guard but he can handle the ball and he can slash to the rim. He’s real aggressive and looks to draw contact on his drives. He can finish through contact even if he doesn’t get to the free-throw line. He gets out on the break and can consistently beat the defense down court. Can shoot it well from three-point range.