SDSU Team Camp: Frosh/Soph standouts
Our final report from last weekend’s SDSU Team Camp is a nod to the future, with a look at some of the top rising freshmen and sophomores on hand. San Marcos PG Chris Howell and Balboa School F Fallou Cisse were the top prospects, and had the attention of SDSU’s coaching staff throughout the weekend. Here were some of the other standouts.
SDSU Team Camp: Frosh/Soph standouts
Derrien Carter Hollinger, 2021 W, Foothills Christian
The 6-4 lefty has great size and a solid, long frame and has become an excellent perimeter defender. Foothills Christian used him to shadow Mission Bay PG Boogie Ellis all game, and he did a good job being phsyical with Ellis on drives and closing out on jump shots. Offensively, Carter-Hollinger has improved his shooting and while streaky, he hit a number of jumpers from three and off the drive.
Kailon King, 2021 PG, Patrick Henry
No rising sophomore prospect has improved more than King, who has grown from 5-8 to 6-0 over the course of a year. He has long arms and high hips and looks like he’s not done growing. King is a smooth shooter off the catch and showed improved scoring off the dribble from midrange and at the rim. The next step in King’s development will be adding burst off the dribble in the half court and lateral quickness.
Nikko Taylor, 6-3 G, Vista
Taylor came up huge for Vista during their run to the title game, proving to be a solid third ball handler and playmaker to complement Jordan Hilstock and Makiah Morris. Taylor plays with nice pace and always has his head up on drives, and is a willing passer in the halfcourt. He picked and chose his scoring spots effectively, as the lefty scored a number of key buckets off the bounce. Improving his off hand and consistency from the perimeter in the next step.
Jessie Campbell, 2021 G, Mater Dei Catholic
Campbell is blessed with excellent lateral quickness, elite length, and is a dogged on-ball defender. Offensively, his skill set is a bit raw, confined to straight line drives (draws a lot of fouls), but he shows flashes of solid court vision. As he develops, his perimeter shooting will need to come along to keep defenses honest on his drives.
Hayden Gray, 2021 PG, Santa Fe Christian
The 5-10 playmaker plays with a confidence that few guards in the class possess. He uses changes of speed effectively to create space in dribble penetration, and has the court vision to hand out assists of the highlight variety. When his feet are set, Gray will also knock down shots out to the college three.
Trevan Martin, 2021 G, Santa Fe Christian
Martin’s physical slashing gives the Eagles a dimension they otherwise would lack. The 6-2 guard accepts contact and finishes through it on strong drives in the halfcourt, and he is a threat to finish above the rim in transition. His jumper is streaky, but playable. Changing directions in the halfcourt – where he’s a bit rigid – will need to develop moving forward.
AJ Burgin, 2021 G, San Diego
The 6-2 combo guard had a solid weekend at both guard positions. He is an improved scoring threat from mid-range and at the basket, which complements his shooting from the perimeter. An area where he has shown the most growth is with his handle, as he is more confident advancing the ball against pressure. Burgin’s court vision also stood out, as he made plays for teammates in drive-and-kick scenarios. He needs to play lower and improve his vertical athleticism to open up more facets of his game.
2022 prospects
Dimitrius “DJ” Dudley, 2022 G, San Ysidro
Dudley is blessed with impressive physical gifts – The 6-2 guard has length for days and can finish above the rim. Dudley is a slithery customer on the wing, and can finish through and around contact at the rim in the halfcourt. His shooting from midrange (solid pull-up jumper) and from three is streaky, but playable. He has the makings of an elite combo guard/ wing prospect.
Devon Arlington, 2022 G, San Marcos
The scoring point guard has had several strong outings for the Knights, complementing Chris Howell in the back court with his ability to create his own shot (crafty, quick ball handler). One area of his game that has improved is his shooting from outside of the paint. Arlington’s shot is now playable, something that you couldn’t say months ago. Like many young scoring guards, Arlington’s efficiency will improve with improved shot selection.
Riyaan Jiwani, 2022 G, Pacifica Christian
Jiwani proved to be a big asset to his team over the weekend with his prolific shooting. The 5-10 guard can shoot it from anywhere on the court, and has a quick release to boot. While he utilized the head fake to create driving lanes, he needs to consistently employ it, as defenses are going to start keying on his shot on the catch.