Big Drip Part 2: Top 6 Performers from Washington 2023
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The Big Drip Hoops Showcase event at Auburn Mountainview High School on August 21 featured over 80 players playing four games each. The event allowed me to evaluate players in a new setting. Without the comfort of their “regular” teammates…
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Continue ReadingThe Big Drip Hoops Showcase event at Auburn Mountainview High School on August 21 featured over 80 players playing four games each. The event allowed me to evaluate players in a new setting. Without the comfort of their “regular” teammates or coaches, players were forced to adapt on the fly, figure out how to fit in, and show how much they understand the game.
Levi Pepper
Levi
Pepper
6'6" | SF
Selah | 2023
State
WA
2023 6-6 Small Forward Selah High School and Northwest Coastal
Pepper is a highly skilled, competitive and intelligent basketball player. He can play 1-5 in high school and at the next level he may be able to play three positions. Injuries have kept him off the court for much of the summer and last season but he showed up healthy and showed off at the Showcase. He averaged 20 points,10 rebounds and 2 assists and showed enough footspeed and strength to defend 1-5. What I love most about his skillset is his strong hands. He takes each dribble deliberately and carefully plots where and when to go next. He has the vision and IQ to put himself in the right spots and rarely makes poor decisions. He has three point range, a step back jumper, an effective jab series, a spin move and a floater to go with his power moves to the basket. He is a definite four year college prospect.
Dae’Sean Johnson-Holiman
Dae’Sean
Johnson-Holiman
5'10" | PG
Federal Way | 2023
State
WA
2023 5-10 Point Guard Federal Way High School
The lightning quick guard is a blur with the ball in his hands. He has all the attributes needed to be an effective point guard but what set him apart was his play off the pick and roll. He comes off ball screens looking to make the correct play and he has a ton of options. He can stop on a dime and rise up to hit a long-range jump shot, or he can hesitate and blow by helping defenders. He can draw a crowd with his eyes and dish to the rolling big man or throw across the court and accurately hit a shooter on target. He averaged 14 points, five assists and three steals over the course of four games.
Amare Jackson
Amare
Jackson
6'5" | SF
O'Dea | 2023
State
WA
2023 6-4 Small Forward Highline High School and PNW Prep
Jackson showed off his elite athleticism with a few highlight dunks and was explosive when transitioning to offense. He plays defense with a sense of urgency and loves to pressure the ball and get into passing lanes. He scored 10 points per game and had five rebounds.
Keon Dewalt
Keon
Dewalt
6'4" | SF
Silas | 2023
State
WA
2023 6-3 Small Forward Lakes High School and Tacoma United
Dewalt looked comfortable scoring 13 points a game and grabbing nine rebounds. He plays at a high tempo and has a great motor. When attacking the basket, he does not shy away from contact and is strong enough to stay on balance and finish at the rim. He has a good outside shot that right now is much better off the catch than it is off the dribble.
Elijah Cain
Elijah
Cain
6'2" | SG
Kentridge | 2023
State
WA
2023 6-2 Shooting Guard Graham Kapowsin High School
Cain is a true competitor who does all the little things that typically go unnoticed in a showcase. He crashes the offensive boards on every shot, he sprints back and talks on defense, he swings the ball to open teammates and sets good screens. He led his team in rebounding at 10 boards a game and was second in scoring with 14. He also had two assists and showed a willingness to defend bigger players inside.
Soren Dalan
Soren
Dalan
6'10" | C
W.F West | 2023
State
WA
2023 6-10 Center W.F. West High School and International Elite
Dalan is a huge post. He is an absolute beast inside and it is refreshing to see a big man who wants to play like a big man! He averaged 13 points, nine rebounds and one block per game. What does not show up on the stat sheet are all the times he was able to seal his man while his teammates drove to the hoop and he made it impossible for his man to provide any help defense. The lefty also has a good free throw shot and will use either hand and turn toward either shoulder when scoring around the basket. He does not have the foot speed to be a perimeter pressure defender yet, but he uses his length well to gap quicker players and makes a good effort to chase down players if he beats off of the dribble.