West Coast Elite Colorado All-Star Camp Standouts: 2019
We will continue unloading our notebook from last Sunday’s West Coast Elite Colorado All-Star Camp through the weekend. There was a lot of good talent at the event, and it was interesting to see the players who had obviously worked…
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Continue ReadingWe will continue unloading our notebook from last Sunday’s West Coast Elite Colorado All-Star Camp through the weekend. There was a lot of good talent at the event, and it was interesting to see the players who had obviously worked on their games since the summer AAU season ended.
We continue now with the 2019 class, which included a good number of players who should make big impacts during their upcoming sophomore high school seasons.
Here we go:
Assane Diouf, 7-0 forward, Denver East
Diouf was very unfamiliar with the organized game when he arrived from Senegal last winter. He clearly has elite-level size, but he wasn’t sure how to move his feet, a process that was delayed by a number of injuries. At the camp we saw a player who had become much more comfortable moving in the post. He knew what to do when he got the ball, and he made some impressive moves near the basket. The ceiling is high as Diouf continues to learn the game. His size will be unmatched.
Jaedon Bowles, 6-5 forward, Manual
There is a reason Bowles is the No. 2 player in our 2019 rankings, and he did nothing to change our minds on Sunday. His athleticism is as good as any in the class. He’s the kind of player who is difficult to defend because a) he can handle really well for his size and b) he can often get where he wants to go with one quick, long and strong first step once he catches the ball. After guiding Manual to the 3A semifinals as a freshman, it’s going to be great to see what’s next for a player who clearly keeps getting better.
Jackson Lamb, 6-1 guard, Dakota Ridge
Really liked the energy that Lamb played with. He was always around the ball, deflecting passes, picking up steals, working hard for rebounds. He’s also got some good feel offensively.
JoVon Nelson, 5-11 guard, Chaparral
Nelson’s calling card is his quickness, and he uses it on both ends of the court. Handles it well in transition. Gets a little too sped up at times, but more often than not he’s making the right play with the ball. As he continues to develop his jump shot, he shows promise as a potential small-college prospect.
Levi Dombro, 6-0 guard, Grandview
Really liked the mid-range game Dombro displayed at the camp, he’s able to get into his shot off the dribble and can really stop on a dime while catching in transition. Those talents should be put to use well as he runs alongside talented Grandview point guard LeChaun Duhart this winter.
Blake Whitelaw, 6-7 forward, Regis Jesuit
Whitelaw is continuing to fill into his frame and is adjusting to the change in footwork that comes with that. But he’s got good natural feel for the game. He runs the floor well and shows nice touch around the rim. Has the frame and the awareness to develop into a strong shot-blocker. A player to watch as he continues to grow.
Samba Kane, 6-11 forward, Regis Jesuit
Potential, potential, potential. That’s the word that kept coming to mind when watching Kane. He has really good athleticism and is able to run like a guard. He looks pretty comfortable for a player who just arrived in the United States from Senegal late in the summer. He can sky and is constantly around the rim. Once he becomes more comfortable with some of the nuances of the game, he can be dangerous.
Darrian Leu-Pierre, 5-10, Vista Peak
The young guard played his way into the the top-40 game, one of only three 2019 players to do so. He’s the next in a seemingly unending line of Vista Peak guards who can really make things happen with their athleticism. Leu-Pierre is strong with the ball in his hands and makes quick decisions when he attacks the rim. There’s a lot to like about the young man’s game and it will fun to watch him develop.