Adidas Gauntlet LA: 17U Raising the Bar
There’s no better time for a player to bring the best of their game than the live viewing period.
The first one of the spring kicks off this weekend as college coaches will flood gyms across the country in search of their program’s next star or program or glue guy.
The Adidas Gauntlet’s regional format makes a stop in Irvine beginning Friday. Many of the west coast’s top Adidas-affiliated teams – separated into Gold and Silver divisions – will be on hand for the three-day event, capped by bracket-style playoff system Sunday evening to name a regional champion.
Some of the SoCal’s top players will be on hand, including 6-foot-9 center Onyeka Okongwu (Compton Magic/Chino Hills), the Dream Vision duo of 6-foot-7 wing Jake Kyman (Santa Margarita) and 6-foot-6 wing Julien Franklin (Villa Park), 6-foot-8 wing Max Agbonkpolo (Pump-N-Run/Santa Margarita), 6-foot-6 forward Jonathan Salazar (Dream Vision/St. John Bosco) and Compton Magic’s brother tandem of 6-foot-9 forward Isaiah Mobley and 6-foot-10 forward Evan Mobley.
While most of the cameramen will be focused on the players mentioned above and other top-flight prospects from neighboring states, the following junior class prospects have a good chance of upping their recruiting stock.
Ethan Anderson, Pump-N-Run
Anderson played very well at the So-Cal Spring Tip Off, using the freedom given by coach David Rebibo to score at a high and efficient clip. The 6-foot-1 Fairfax High combo guard is as tough, durable and physical as they come at the position. Anderson can bully his way into the paint and score around the basket through contact or pull-up for a mid-range jumper with confidence.
Isaiah Hill, Compton Magic
Hill is a two-sport stud, moonlighting as a quarterback for his Bakersfield Liberty high school team. The 6-foot-2 point guard carries a lot of his quarterback mindset to the basketball court. He manages the pace of the game, doesn’t turn the basketball over and takes what the defense gives him offensively.
2019 Bryce Pope Gamepoint Elite guard Bryce Pope has the opportunity to show his improved game to college coaches this weekend.Jarred Hyder, Team Eleate
Hyder turned in two impressive weekend efforts during the non-live events that he’s played in. The 6-foot-3 Cajon standout has vastly improved his ball handling and lateral speed. He’s a knockdown mid-range jump shooter with improved range from deep and is a high IQ player both on and off the court, boasting a 4.0 grade point average.
Bryce Pope, Gamepoint Elite
Pope had a stellar high school season with Torrey Pines where he shredded the evaluations that he’s just a spot shooter. The 6-foot-3 guard has tightened up his ball skills and quickened his first step which have allowed him to get by defenders and do a lot of scoring damage from the mid-range level.
Isaiah Pope, Compton Magic
Pope has a couple of mid-major offers under his belt right now, but a good weekend could catapult him into the high major conversation. The Orange Lutheran High guard is up to 6-feet-4 and is shooting it much better from 3-point range. That improved range has opened up the rest of the floor for his smooth drives and finishes.