Creme of the County: Best of 2021 class
La Jolla, Ca. — The third annual Creme of the County, presented by San Diego basketball authority Aaron Burgin, provided a glimpse of the current crop of talent in the area, but also allowed the up-and-comers an opportunity to play in front of scouts and media.
The rising freshmen in the class of 2021 game played their first ever “high school” event Saturday at La Jolla Country Day school and Sweetwater’s C.J. McMillan stole the show.
The strong 6-foot-5 forward displayed a nice combination of size, mobility, power finishes and passing ability in his Creme game MVP performance. McMillan was near-unstoppable with the ball and a full head of steam. His ability to rebound, push the break and use his vision to find teammates is another layer of his impressive overall game.
McMillan’s performance was rivaled by that of San Marcos guard Chris Howell, who is perhaps the top 2021 prospect in all of San Diego.
Howell is a supremely talented and high IQ point guard who, at 6-feet-5 with high level vision and ball-handling ability, has the ideal size and skill set for a potential Division I level point guard.
Balboa Prep’s Fallou Cisse was the most vertically gifted prospect in the 2021 game, measuring at 6-feet-6 and exciting the crowd with a handful of bouncy dunks. Cisse is an effortless athlete who sprints the floor and finishes on the break every chance he gets.
Two of the top shooters among the rising freshmen were Gamepoint club teammates in San Diego High’s A.J. Burgin (yes, Aaron’s son) and Santa Fe Christian’s Hayden Gray.
Burgin connected on four 3-pointers from multiple spots behind the arc, and unlike many kids in this age of basketball, the 6-footer has been taught well in the fundamental shooting aspect of the game. Burgin also showcased a fearless attitude when attacking on offense.
Gray has a very nice feel for the game with the ball in his hands and does a lot of his shooting damage off of some rhythm dribbles. The 5-foot-9 guard is adept at using and creating off of ball-screens, but also understands that relocating after a dish can open up a catch-and-shoot 3-point opportunity.
Keavie Love of El Camino High was among the best perimeter defenders in the 2021 Creme game as his strong frame, coupled with lateral speed and physicality, made it difficult for any guard to get by him on the perimeter.
Speaking of physical guards, San Diego Christian’s Gabriel Harrison had a field day of using his broad shoulders and ability to stay on balance through contact to get to the basket and finish with a strong layup package.
Two of the better big men were Mater Dei Catholic’s Mauricio Reyes and Cathedral Catholic’s Dillon Wilhite.
Reyes, who is teetering toward becoming more of a wing, is super mobile and active at 6-feet-4. He has rebound and push ability, can get to the front of the rim and finish and can step out and hit shots on the perimeter.
La Costa Canyon freshman Brendan Perry earned the MVP award in the Creme of the County 2021 Select game.Wilhite is a legitimate 6-feet-6 who is also very mobile, strong and coordinated with either hand. He does most of his damage by outworking the opponent in transition and on the offensive glass, earning easy paint opportunities and second chance points.
There were a couple of freshmen in the 2021 Select game who proved they could have competed in the Creme game in La Costa Canyon’s Brendan Perry and Lakeside’s Dreontae Raymond.
Perry was the MVP of the 2021 Select game after a very impressive display of inside-out scoring, making the extra pass and high IQ decision making in late-game situations that helped his team to a victory.
Raymond was an absolute force early in this game. He has elite athleticism and finishing ability which he couples with one of the highest motors you’ll see. His defensive instincts when jumping passing lanes is as good as you’ll find.