The LEAGUE: Francisco’s Finest (2018 Standouts/Sleepers)
The LEAGUE
Orange Lutheran High School
Orange, CA.— Etop Udo-Ema, the architect of the The LEAGUE as well as the director of Compton Magic, has made his weekly event a must-stop for scouts and fans alike. As the fall season winds down, this is one of the last chances to evaluate some of the elite players and teams that will contend in California and Nevada.
Francisco’s Finest
2018 Standouts
Darryl Polk (Long Beach/Poly)
PG, 5-foot-8, 145 pounds
Joel’s Take: Arguably the quickest guard in the West. He doesn’t have ideal college-level size, but his burst, mindset, and improved offensive game should garner him some more attention during this senior campaign. He uses his blinding speed and quick hands to snatch numerous steals. His decision-making can be erratic at times (tries to do too much), but overall he brings it every single game.
Hunter Woods (Pasadena/Muir)
WF, 6-foot-5, 190 pounds
Joel’s Take: Woods has long arms and a college-type frame that should fill out nicely at the next level. The rangy lefty is a streaky shooter (needs to get on balance while releasing shot), but his ball skills have improved in the open court and he possesses terrific length.
Jamal Bey (Las Vegas/Bishop Gorman)
SG, 6-foot-5, 180 pounds
Joel’s Take: After an up-and-down summer, the Washington commit has put together a number of fine performances this fall. Against Chino Hills, his shot wasn’t falling in the 1st half, but in the 2nd half he big shot after big shot from all three levels to lead his team to a win. The innate ability is there for him to make an impact for Washington, but his assertiveness at both ends needs to be more consistent.
Ofure Ujadughele (Chino Hills HS)
SG, 6-foot-3, 185 pounds
Joel’s Take: Ideal frame, explosiveness, and a non-stop motor describe this diamond in the rough 2-guard. Ujadughele forces the issue a bit too much (needs to implement a jump stop) and his jump shot is streaky, but he is a tenacious on-ball defender and he impacts the game with his rebounding and active hands.
2018 Sleepers
Kevin Kobrine (Corona Del Mar HS)
2018, WF, 6-foot-5, 180 pounds
Joel’s Take: One of the biggest surprises of the day went to Kobrine. He is known for his volleyball talent (committed to UCLA), but his basketball skills are impressive as well. Blessed with that prototypical wing-type frame with terrific length, a bevy of athleticism, and some budding ball skills, Kobrine made play after play at both ends.
Andre Ball (Chino Hills HS)
2018, WF, 6-foot-7, 185 pounds
Joel’s Take: Ball is coming off a shoulder injury that kept him out of action for most of his junior campaign. The willowy 4/3 has exceptional leaping ability to go along with a frame that oozes upside. His ball skills are raw and his jump shot needs consistency, but he has the physical tools to be a Division 1 prospect in the future.