MLK Day Shootout – 2019 standouts and sleepers
San Diego’s junior class has a number of quality prospects. However, many juniors hover below the radar for one reason or another.
Some don’t play on major travel teams, and others have played junior varsity their first two seasons.
We had a chance to see a few such prospects at Davion Famber’s MLK Showcase, and here’s a rundown on the junior prospects who impressed.
Lights out shooters
Donovan Baasch, 6-0 G, Madison
Baasch has one of the prettiest set shots in the class. He possesses deep range and is almost automatic when his feet are set. In addition, Baasch is a smart passer and has a high basketball IQ. He has very pedestrian athleticism and lacks explosion, which limits his scoring to the three-point line and occasional runners. If he can add that over the course of the next year, he’s a true sleeper.
Isaiah Robinson, 5-9 G, Christian
Robinson’s prepubescent look makes some people mistake him for a freshman. But he’s a junior, and a very potent shooter. Blessed with a very quick release, Robinson provides the floor spacing that Christian’s offense needs. Much of his future as a prospect will depend on how much stronger and explosive he can get, which will allow him to be better defensively and off the dribble.
Scorer deluxe
Grant Childs, 5-11 G, Steele Canyon
Childs is a rapidly improving prospect, largely because of his ability to score the rock. Childs puts pressure on defenses by getting downhill and he draws a ton of fouls. When he’s not at the free throw line, Childs is scoring off of strong drives and hitting midrange shots. He’s streaky from three, but should improve with tightening of his mechanics. The next stage for Childs is to improve on the defensive end, as he has all the tools to be a very good on-ball defender.
Jordan Gaines, 5-11 G, Christian
Gaines is a wiry, quick right-hand dominant scorer who can heat up in a hurry. He’s not the most consistent shooter, but as aforementioned, if he hits one, then other shots will follow in rapid succession. He has a tendency to hunt shots, however. Improving his overall feel and shot selection will only elevate his scoring prowess.
High flyer
Jackson Larsen, 6-6 WF, Christian (Featured photo)
If there was a player who looked the part of a D1 recruit during Monday’s proceedings, it was Larsen, a long, lanky face-up four with some serious athleticism. He showed it early in the game versus Army Navy, driving down the lane and throwing down a thunderous dunk. Larsen can step out and shoot the three as well. Larsen struggles to finish against contact and has to improve his off hand, and needs to be more consistent on the offensive end to catch his game up to his very solid physical gifts.
Intriguing talents
Jabir Muhammad, 6-1 G, Crawford
Muhammad is an assertive scoring guard with a quick release on his jump shot and fairly quick first step. He kept his team in the game against El Capitan as the shorthanded Colts fell down the stretch. The biggest thing holding Muhammad back is his frail frame. If he can add size over the next year (a big if given his body type), he could have a great senior year.
Keyshawn Bradley, 5-11 PG, Madison
Conversely, Bradley has a solid build and good quickness, and certainly looks the part of a solid hoops recruit. He has a streaky jump shot, and made a few strong drives to the rim, but his decision making is very raw, as he is quite indecisive in pass-drive situations. This leads to a fair amount of turnovers. Bradley, a very young junior, is still one to track given his physical gifts and his improvement year over year.
Randy Tucker, 6-5 C, El Capitan
Tucker is a huge kid at 6-5, 250 pounds. He takes up a lot of space in the middle and is getting better at catching and finishing around the rim, though he is limited to finishing with his dominant hand. He needs to get in better condition to fully realize his potential down on the block.
Andrew Peters, 6-3 WF, Hoover
Peters is a big-bodied utility forward with solid ball skills and an assertive nature to his game. He can drive to the basket, score or make the right read with the pass, and is a willing shooter from three. He’s come a long way in terms of improving his body to unlock more of his natural talent, but will only get better if he continues to work on his conditioning.
Crafty playmakers
Michael Totah, 5-6 PG, West Hills
Generously listed at 5-6, Totah doesn’t pass the eye test, but he is a savvy point guard who makes plays for himself and others. He throws crisp passes in the halfcourt and strong outlet passes in transition and makes the right read on out-of-bounds plays. Left alone, Totah is a solid three-point shooter. In other words, he is a great complement to Cameron Barry in the back court.
Dominic Safarta, 5-6 PG, Christian
Safarta is a wizard with the ball with a penchant for flash. He has mastered the art of the hesitation dribble, and changes speed and pace to keep defenders off balance and create scoring windows for himself. While Safarta has improved his decision making, his flashy style still results in a high number of turnovers and low percentage shots. Given his diminutive stature, he will need to continue to improve his decision making and play more under control to turn the corner as a prospect.