From Freshman to Sophomores – New wave of young talent
With a new wave of talent hitting the Washington area there is a certain buzz you can feel when walking the streets of Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia. I can truly say this the most excited I’ve been in a long time. With power houses like Garfield, Rainier Beach, Cleveland, Bellarmine Prep, Timberline, Lincoln, Federal Way, Decatur and many other schools who have some of the best talent in the state. The game is at a new level. Kids are starting earlier than before, kids are training like never before and schools are recruiting like never before. The overall value of the game has increased. Washington was never known as the mecca for hoops. We have fought hard to start to receive the recognition we deserve. With players like Jamal Crawford, Nate Robinson, Brandon Roy, Michael Dickerson, Doug Christie and Isaiah Thomas paving the way for young ballers. We now have an awakening in our streets.
Class of 2020 5’10 point guard Elliott Hohman of Skyline High School Spartans. The combo guard is becoming a more and more common position in todays game. To be able to play both on the ball and off the ball generally, combo guards are plus sized point guards or undersized 2 guards who have worked on their games to allow them to be equally comfortable playing in either position.
Class of 2020 6’4 guard Cole Bajema. Cole is a talented and athletic wing who is coming into his own in recent weeks. He is getting accustomed to playing at a high level consistently, and is steadily improving as he adjusts to the speed and physicality he needs to play with at all times. A 6’4 versatile scoring wing who can defend the 1 through 3. Cole does a nice job moving without the ball, and constantly puts pressure on the rim.
Class of 2020 5’10 guard Bradley Graham. I was fortunate enough to get a glimpse of who I think will be one of the top guards in the State of Washington by his Senior year and even though I have seen a lot of basketball in the state of Washington throughout my years. I have never came across a player who excited me like this young man. Already at the age of 15 has some of the best handles I have seen on this side of the mountain. A quick release and limitless range. Literally has eyes in the back of his head and can see a play develop before it happens. He put few of the Boise Slam players in a spin cycle with some of signature moves.
Class of 2020, 6’2 guard, Mutdung Bol of Edmonds Woodway. Currently, Bol came off the bench last season and provided a spark for the Warriors and he’s done just that. Bol is a lanky 6’2, with extremely long arms and legs. But he’s also very smooth and has good ball handling skills for such a young and lanky player. He even has a bit of touch on his shot that always looks nice coming out of his hands. You can tell this young man still has a lot of growing to do. He’s got such long arms and long body it looks as if he will get to a solid 6’8 before he’s done growing.
Class of 2020 Joseph Dwyer though young, can play at a high level and has very high IQ. Joseph has a very intriguing combination of speed, fluidity and physicality on the wing. He is capable of knocking down perimeter jump shots, but can also use his speed to blow past his defender and expose mismatches against smaller defenders in the paint or off the dribble in transition and half-court situations.