The final report from last weekend's EBO showdown explores the 2021 and 2022 classes. There were a number of standouts, and like 2020, we've broken them down by category.
Dunn is an impressive combo guard prospect who checks off many of the boxes in a potential high-level guard. He has great feel and plays with excellent pace, can operate in the high screen and roll, and can create off the dribble for himself and for his teammates. The right-hand dominant playmaker can shoot it efficiently from all three levels, but needs to improve his off hand and seeing the weak side of the floor in the screen-and-roll and drive-and-kick.
Boogie Evans, 5-7 2021 PG, St. John Bosco/ San Diego Soldiers 15u
A lot of point guards you see with Evans burst tend to play to fast, but the LA area prospect plays with great pace and controls the flow of the game. Evans is a nifty passer who can turn a simple outlet into a brilliant play. He also is one of the few guards on hand who utilized the mid-range pullup effectively. Evans is a streaky three point shooter who has a hitch in his shot from deeper distances, something he will need to correct moving forward.
Nick Walker, 5-8 2022 PG, Las Vegas Prospects 2022
The lefty is built like a running back, and plays with reckless abandon. Operating out of the high-screen, he sees the passing windows and looks to find his bigs rolling or shooters in the corners. When he needs to, he has the strength to finish through contact with his left hand. Like most lefties, improving his off hand will be the next stage of his growth.
Isaac Peralta, 5-9 2022 PG, California SEAL Team 15u
Peralta plays with great feel, and while primarily a scoring guard, has shown that he can also involve his teammates. He can score it from all three levels effectively. Peralta's toughness and will to win also stand out, as he wants to have the ball in his hand in crunch time. Improving his court vision will be key as he moves forward.
Biggest surprise
Kamron Beacham, 6-3 2021 F, Oceanside/ San Diego Soldiers 15u
Beacham is the type of player coaches love because he does the dirty work to get his team victories. He has a great nose for the ball and rebounds aggressively on both ends (boxes out and competes). In the screen and roll, Beacham has excellent hands and rarely misses around the rim. He is right-hand dominant, and sometimes struggles finishing with his off hand. This will be key moving forward for him, but he was clearly a revelation in an ever-deepening 2021 class in San Diego.
Xavier Williams, 6-4 2021 WF, St. Bernard/ Dream Vision 15u
Williams has made marked strides as a prospect since my last viewing a summer ago. He's much more fluid with the ball, which allows him to score more efficiently off the bounce. A solid shooter off the catch to begin with, Williams is evolving into a nice, three-level scorer. He is also a teriffic on-ball defender.
Best defenders
Tyson Robinson, 5-11 PG, El Camino/ San Diego Soldiers 15u
Robinson is one of those guards who sits in a stance and crawls into opposing guard's space, making it difficult for them to advance the ball in the open court, and even tougher to score off the drive in the halfcourt. He has exceptionally good lateral quickness, and stays low to the ground. Playing up in 16u, Robinson stifled opposing guards in the second half of games, where he dialed up the intensity.
Justin Mitchell, 5-10 G, Tri-City Christian/ San Diego Soldiers 15u
Mitchell keeps getting better with each viewing, and his defense and motor stood out this weekend. He dove for every loose ball (many that he created with his active hands) and competed every possession both on and away from the ball. Mitchell keeps his head on a swivel and sees both man and ball and has great anticipation, which allows him to shoot the passing lanes for steals.
Tough in the paint
Daniel Perez-Rouzan, 6-5 PF, Bishop Gorman/ Dream Vision 15u
A big-bodied, nimble footed scorer, Perez-Rouzan feasted on opponents playing 16u this weekend. He has excellent hands and can finish over either shoulder. Deceptively athletic, Perez doesn't need much space off his drop step to finish over defenders above the rim.
Joshua Jefferson, 6-3 1/2 PF, Las Vegas Prospects 2022
Jefferson was one of my favorite players to evaluate, because his feel for the game wildly exceeds his age. He has magnetic hands, and once he has his defender on his back, can score in the paint with either hand, and has very impressive post footwork. With professional athletes in his bloodline (father is a 6-9 former NFL lineman), Jefferson has the potential to be one of the best bigs in the class.
Best shooters
Brendan Perry, 6-3 SG, La Costa Canyon/ West Coast Elite-SD 15u
Perry is very much a three-level scorer, but his fluid release off the catch and off the bounce make him a tough cover. The lanky combo guard's release has quickened over time, which allows him to get shots off in tight spaces. He also thrives in transition, where he can finish the fast break with either hand. His first step is solid, but could use more pop.
Jake Sanderlin, 5-10 G, Del Norte/ Coastal Elite Premier 15u
Sanderlin is a crafty scoring guard with an exceptionally quick release. He is an efficient ball handler too, which allows him to create separation off the dribble and score off the bounce. His mid range repertoire is very impressive. As he develops, finishing plays through contact at the rim will be critical, as he is rail thin and struggles finishing around the basket.
Lots of upside
Isaiah Brickner, 5-11 2021 PG, St. Augustine/ College Bound 15u
Brickner has the most upside of St. Augustine's 2021 class, and he showed why this weekend. He possesses a great basketball frame with great length, and has an explosive first step off the dribble. When his feet are set, Brickner is also a solid shooter off the catch. He needs to improve playing on balance (using jump stops in the paint) and finishing and driving with his left hand.
Elder is a young 2021 prospect with a long, wiry frame and a ton of ability. He has solid footwork in the post and can also handle the ball on the wing. He had an impressive spin move and finish through contact that showed why he has a chance long term to be a prospect on the perimeter.
