Creme of the County: Best of the 2020 class
LA JOLLA, Ca. — The third annual Creme of the County, executed yearly by our Prep Hoops colleague Aaron Burgin, is a must-attend event for both prep basketball prospects and media alike.
Saturday at La Jolla Country Day school featured 10 games, ranging from the class of 2022 to the class of 2018, and had an ideal mix of San Diego’s top prospects and under-the-radar players.
The class of 2020 was highlighted by two games – “Creme” and “Select” – complete with 57 players from varying degrees of high school production and college potential.
In the 2020 Creme game, St. Augustine forward Chibuzo Agbo proved to be the most well-rounded prospect. His ability to do a little bit of everything well helped his team to a victory and earned him game MVP honors in the Creme game.
At 6-feet-6, Agbo scores with efficiency around the basket and out to 17-feet. He has rebound and push capabilities, is an advanced passer for his size, position and age, and can guard multiple positions.
One of three class of 2021 players participating, Cathedral Catholic guard Thomas Notarainni, was easily the best transition finisher in that game.
The burly 6-foot-3 rising freshman used his strong frame and body control to absorb and score through contact on the break to the tune of a game-high 17 points.
Another 2021, and Cathedral Catholic-bound prospect, 6-foot-7 forward Obinna Anyanwu, had a solid showing as he scored 16 points in a variety of ways.
Anyanwu, like the above-mentioned Agbo, is super versatile for his size, can score with either hand around the basket and operates on the perimeter with either a face-up mid-range jumper or straight line-drive to the basket.
Bishop’s sophomore Nakial Cross showcased an improved all-around skill set at Saturday’s Creme of the County.Bishop’s sophomore Nakial Cross has always been one of the highest upside prospects in San Diego, but showed that his offseason work is starting to pay off.
Cross, at a rangy 6-feet-7, has all the mobility and bounce you’d want in a combo 3/4 and his skill is beginning to emerge. Cross stepped out and hit a couple of perimeter jumpers which is a crucial step in his development.
Foothills Christian sophomore Yassine Gharram easily separated himself as the best playmaker of the bunch.
Gharram, at 6-feet-2, has a high-level feel off the bounce, can create offense for himself or others, passes with purpose and IQ and scores from three levels with ease.
The best pure shooter in the 2020 Creme game was Torrey Pines shooting guard Brandon Angel.
The long 6-foot-3 sophomore has a smooth shooting stroke with ideal mechanics, arc and rotation on his ball. Angel is a threat from any spot behind-the-arc and can stretch it out to the college 3-point line.
Other 2020 Creme game standouts included: Nick Herrmann (Torrey Pines); Beon Riley (Mater Dei Catholic); Luke Haupt (St. Augustine); Kailen Rains (San Ysidro); Elijah Randall (San Marcos); Alex Wade (Cathedral Catholic)