MLK Day Shootout – Unsigned senior standouts
We’re a little past the halfway point of the high school season, and players in the Class of 2018 who haven’t signed to a college are running out of opportunities to showcase their talents to college coaches and scouts.
January provides a penultimate platform for many of these kids in the form of showcases.
At Christian High, Head Coach Davion Famber and crew gave teams a great opportunity to do just that.
So, which unsigned prospects helped out their cause the most? Prep Hoops gives you our take.
Unsigned standouts:
Best point guard
Nashom Carter, 5-9 PG, Christian HS
The 5-9, 175 floor general has hovered under the radar for years, first at Point Loma and now at Christian. He has a college-ready frame, plays with excellent pace and can create for himself and others. He is also dependable with the ball, as evidenced by his high assist-to-turnover ratio. The knock on Carter earlier in his career was that he was a streaky perimeter shooter. He has addressed that over the course of his career, and is now a very dependable shooter out to the college three-point line. Carter could help a Division 2 program given the opportunity.
Best scorer:
Cameron Barry, 5-11 G, West Hills HS
We’ve waxed about Cameron Barry in an earlier report, but this reinforces our belief in Barry’s abilities. The 5-11 combo guard didn’t shoot it great, but you could see his crafty skillset despite the missed shots, which more often than not fall. Barry should be a no-brainer for NAIA-level programs, and with added muscle could crack a D2 program.
JC Canahuate, 6-1 PG, Army Navy
Canahuate has been on a tear to start the season, and he had his scoring package on display against Christian. He is a legitimate threat from all three levels, and can score at the rim through contact. He doesn’t have elite quickness or burst, but is very crafty and deceptively strong. Canahuate has a chance to play at the NAIA level, and could go higher if he goes the JUCO route to improve his point guard play.
Most upside:
Emanwel Henry, 6-5 SF, San Diego HS
Henry, a lanky 6-5 lefty for the upstart Cavers, has improved more than any senior prospect in San Diego city this year. He possesses a smooth shooting stroke, and he knocks down shots from midrange and the three with regularity. He has to continue to work on his right hand (very left hand dominant), but much of his future will depend on how he responds in a college weightroom. At 160, he is rail thin, and probably will need a redshirt year to add the strength necessary to compete at the JUCO level. But once he does, his ceiling is quite high.
Malik Campbell, 6-3 PG, San Ysidro HS
Blessed with great size and length (6-3, likely 6-7 wingspan), Campbell has the body that college coaches salivate over. Defensively, he was tremendous for the Cougars at the top of their trap in the second half of the comeback win over Madison. He turned over the Warhawks guards on several consecutive possessions, using his length and active hands to get into passing lanes. Offensively, however, Campbell is still quite raw, meaning that he will need JUCO to refine that skillset. But few guards possess his frame, giving him a distinct advantage in the future.
Leroi Barrett, 6-2 SG, Madison HS
Barrett has quietly been solid for the Warhawks this year, but looking into the future, he has a great frame and athleticism and can score it off the bounce and is a willing rebounder. He is another player who skill wise has a ways to go, but his frame will make him a project worth investing in for a junior college coach.
Most physically ready to contribute:
Chris Modica, 6-1 PG, Hoover HS
At 6-1, 180, Modica is a load for opposing point guards. He has a burly frame, and while not explosive, does a great job changing speeds and using his size to get into the lane and create for himself and his teammates (solid vision). He has a nice array of floaters and runners off the dribble to boot. His mechanics slip a little from three (shot gets flat with little rotation), but he converts threes at a reasonable clip. What makes him intriguing is that he has the body type that will allow him to play at a junior college right away, especially in California, where many of the players are years removed from high school.
Grant Hansink, 6-4 PF, El Centro Southwest
Hansink a chiseled four man who runs the floor hard, finishes in the paint and can step out and sink mid-range jump shots. He held his own against Oregon State signee Warren Washington despite giving up seven inches in the matchup. He is the type of player who could contribute for a college program due to his strength and skill.
Best shooter:
Gage Sanders, 6-0 PG, Steele Canyon HS
Sanders, a wiry lead guard, is one of the best shooters in the class, but his game has evolved over the years. Now, Sanders has very good burst off of his first step, and is getting better at finishing through contact. But when push comes to shove, very few kids knock down shots like Sanders when his feet are set, or off of one dribble. A full high-academic qualifier receiving interest from multiple Division 3 schools, Sanders has the potential to be an All-Conference type at that level.
Eric Pompa, 5-9 PG, and Ryan Silva, 6-0 G, El Centro Southwest HS
Pompa and Silva were two of the surprises of the event. We don’t get to see many of the Imperial County teams during the year, so Pompa stood out with his quick-trigger release, great balance and lift on his jump shot. He also is a solid ball handler who can fly up and down the court. He needs to play with better pace and not settle for jump shots all the time, but he’s one for junior colleges to monitor. The same applies for Silva, a knockdown shooter who hit five threes in the loss to Mission Hills. In addition to his shooting, Silva’s defensive ability and rebounding stood out as well.
Most fun to watch:
Neilryan Pangilinan, 5-4 PG, Sweetwater
It will be very difficult for Pangilinan to play at the collegiate level due to his slight frame (120 pounds, narrow shoulders) and size. But that doesn’t mean Pangilinan can’t play the game. He’s easily one of the most exciting players with the ball in his hands in San Diego. His combination of quickness, handle and fearlessness make him a highlight waiting to happen. He needs to learn how to change speeds, and his shooting (one handed shot) is streaky, but at some point the evaluation goes out the window with him.