Director’s Cut: California Edition

As the first half of the grassroots season comes to a close we wanted to touch base with programs directors and coaches to see how things went during April and May. These articles aim to provide updates on the teams as well as under the radar players or the kids who are on track to have a big July.   Team Name: West Coast Elite UAA Mid-Season Update: A program that has been extremely successful at nearly every age group all year long. The 17U squad who competes in the Under Armour Circuit has only one loss this year and that came on a last second buzzer beater. A group that may lack in front-court depth, makes up for it with stellar backcourt play led by highly recruited 2020 point guard, Nico Mannion. Under the Radar Players: 17U • Oscar Lopez - 6'4 G - super tough kid that can do a little of everything, great teammate, headed in to the summer with zero offers, now hold seven • Tory San Antonio - 6'4 G - attacks the paint and makes you pay at the rim, great passer and has an improved outside shot, young kid that will have a big July • Dennis Rodman Jr - 6'6 F - prototypical 3 and D type guy, will knock down shots and guard the opposing teams best player 16U • Lamont Butler - 6'1 G - while he already holds 11 offers, he missed the spring with a fractured ankle, has the capability to emerge as the top PG in 2020 with a strong spring • Ryan Evans - 6'3 G - has shot 45% from deep this year, tough kid that can get going in a hurry • Dillon Depina - 6'3 G - led the team in scoring during the first half of the year, vastly improved 3 point shooter that is an extremely physical kid to match up against Where can you find them in July?: July 11-14: UA Challenge - Atlanta, GA July 20-22: Elite 100 - Claremont, CA July 25-27: UA Finals - Las Vegas, NV   Team Name: Dream Vision Mid-Season Update: Another program that has been successful at all levels. Both the 16U and 17U teams for Dream Vision are long and athletic in which they love to use that to their advantage. These squads that love to push the ball up the court and use their athleticism and on defense they want to pressure you 94 feet and make you work for everything. Under the Radar Players: 17U • Sedrick Altman - 6'3 G - holds mid-majors offers but could make that jump into high major stuff come July, plays above the rim, can jump out of the gym, a menace on defense • Alimamy Koroma - 6'9 F - has a bunch of mid-major interest right now, can post up or step out and knock down a mid range shot, defense improving, good feet for a big man 16U • Will McClendon - 6'4 G - not the most athletic kid but handles the ball at a high level, has a great stroke from deep and create his own shot, high IQ kid • Boubacar Calamby - 6'11 F - jumps out of the gym, feet are tremendous for his size, can put on weight but a definite high major prospect • Cole Anderson - 6'8 F - can handle the ball, plays at the wing spot and can score at will, makes some highlight plays above the rim • Isiah Johnson - 6'7 F - post player that can bully his way to the rim, another kid that can soar above the rim, can score in the midrange Where can you find them in July?: July 12-15: Adidas Gauntlet Finale - New York, NY July 18-22: Adidas Summer Championships - Orange County, CA July 25-29: Tournament TBD - Las Vegas, NV   Team Name: Compton Magic Mid-Season Update: A group that only has one loss on the year from a team that couldn't miss that specific day. This Compton Magic crew will compete for titles all throughout July with all the talent they have on their roster. The scariest part is that most of the core of this group will return next year as they are playing up on 17's this year including five player forward in the class of 2020, Evan Mobley. Under the Radar Players: • Jaylen Clark - 6'6 F - man child that is super athletic, can score the ball but plays primarely as lock down defender for this group, sophomore playing up • Isaiah Hill - 6'0 F - playing along side so many high major guys that he plays a different role, super tough kid that will make that high major push in July Where can you find them in July?: July 12-15: Adidas Gauntlet Finale - New York, NY July 18-22: Adidas Summer Championships - Orange County, CA July 25-29: The Vegas Finals - Las Vegas, NV   Team Name: BTI Prospects Mid-Season Update: The BTI Prospects program has had a successful spring. Throughout the program teams have competed at a high level and made progress as they head into July. This 17U group can do a little bit of everything as they can push the ball and get out and run or slow things down and execute in the half court. Under the Radar Players: • Jonny Garnett - 6'5 F - long kid that will do a little bit of everything, can finish around the rim or create for himself • Chris Garnett - 6'3 G - shoots the ball well, high IQ kid, high level defender usually matches up with the best player • Ben Yarovinsky - 6'3 G - knockdown shooter that comes in and produces off the bench, defensively still working on things Where can you find them in July?: July 8-12: All Academic Camp - Boston, MA July 19-21: Cream of the Crop - Garden Grove, CA July 26-29: Fab 48 - Las Vegas, NV   Team Name: Gamepoint Elite Mid-Season Update: A program that competes in the Adidas Silver Gauntlet and both the 16's and 17's qualified for the Finale in New York. The 17U group won the Adidas event in Los Angeles to qualify. They are a guard heavy squad that loves to shoot threes and get going from deep. As for the 16's they are also a smaller crew but get things done with their energy and constant defensive pressure. Under the Radar Players: 17U • Bryce Pope - 6'3 G - shoots the leather off the ball, crafty kid that can get to the rim, physical kid that has a high ceiling at the next level • Jackson Larson - 6'7 F - runs the floor well, gets rebounds and protects the rim, super atheltic kid • Christian Rose - 6'7 F - defends at a high level, good feet, physical kid that can back you down 16U • Kimo Ferrari - 5'10 G - high level shooter that will be a pest on defense, loves getting his teammates involved • Patrick Roberts - 6'8 F - under the radar kid due to injury during the season, super athletic big that is very versitile, a force when healthy, expected to have a big July, needs to put on some weight Where can you find them in July?: July 12-15: Adidas Gauntlet Finale - New York, NY July 18-22: Adidas Summer Championships - Orange County, CA July 25-29: The Vegas Finals - Las Vegas, NV   Team Name: Lakeshow Mid-Season Update: A 17U group that has been solid so far in the season. This is a group that had high expectations coming into the season and are still working to meet those goals. A group that has the ability to make some noise in July. Keep an eye on the 16U group for Lakeshow, a squad loaded with talent both in the front and back court. Under the Radar Players: • Xavion Brown - 6'2 G - extremely athletic, kid that slashes to the rim at a high level, pass first kid that loves getting teammates involved, great on defense • Luke Barrett - 6'5 F - can fill up the box score, future D1 player that will be able to score at a high level • Aaron Murphy - 6'7 F - holds a few offers but looks to make a jump into that next tier in July, coming off a knee injury but has been phenomenal all summer • Chance McMillian - 6'1 G - explosive scorer, makes it look easy on the offense, defense is coming along to match the offensive production Where can you find them in July?: July 13-15: NorCal Summer Tip Off - Livermore, CA July 19-22: Cream of the Crop - Garden Grove, CA July 26-29: Fab 28 - Las Vegas, NV   Team Name: San Diego Elite Mid-Season Update: A team that has maybe not won as many games as they have wanted to this spring but have developed over the first half. This is a group of kids who are easy to coach and really care about each other so Coach Tyler Walsh says it makes his job really easy. This group does like to get in the open court to find easy buckets and on D they will defend the length of the court. A group that can't be taken lightly in events. Under the Radar Players: • Sam Rex - 6'2 G - can guard 1-4, really good at putting the ball on the deck and getting to the rim, drawing D2 interest • Roman Wright - 5'9 G - strong physical kid that plays bigger than he his, crafty kid that has a great handle of the ball, high motor • Jared Brown - 5'10 G - great catch and shoot or off a few dribbles, improving on defense • David Letu - 6'5 F - physical kid that can step out and knock down a shot, good footwork, rebounds well • Trevor Fallet - 6'0 G - spot up shooter that has grown greatly this spring, more confident in his ball handling, solid rebounder for a guard Where can you find them in July?: July 13-15: Still working to finalize. July 19-22: Cream of the Crop - Garden Grove, CA July 26-29: Fab 48 - Las Vegas, NV   Team Name: 3 Ball Mid-Season Update: A 17U group that is full of kids playing up. A team full of 2020's that hold their own playing in 17U divisions. This group loves to play with pace and spread the floor with shooters who are looking to knock down an outside look. Under the Radar Players: • Caleb Whalen - 6'0 G - high level competitor, can finish well, quick kid that can push the ball greatly up the court • Gage Gomez - 6'2 G - still growing and adding muscle, college ready shot and high IQ kid • Bryce Hilton - 6'5 F - super disciplined kid on and off the court, finishes around the rim well, strong intangables for the next level • Jeremy Hicks - 6'1 G - developing kid to keep and eye on, nice stroke • Max Rowley - 6'0 G - continuing to grow and working on his game, trains well and can shoot at a high level Where can you find them in July?: July 11-15: West Coast Elite Summer Kick Off - Irvine, CA July 19-22: Cream of the Crop - Garden Grove, CA July 25-29: Bigfoot Classic - Las Vegas, NV   Team Name: EBA Pharaohs Black Mid-Season Update: This is a talented group that is still working on putting everything together. Another group that gets going in transition and wants to use their athleticism to get easy scores. Under the Radar Players: • Deng Agoth - 6'5 G/F - super lengthy kid that is a stud in transition, handles the ball at a high level for his size and is crafty getting to the rim Where can you find them in July?: Still working to finalize their remaining July schedule.   Team Name: Costal Elite Mid-Season Update: A program that had a strong first half of the year. The 15U level is loaded with talent, the 16U group is getting better and the 17U crew is competitive in every event. The 17U group us long and athletic, a team to keep an eye on in July. Under the Radar Players: • Malok Majak - 6'7 F - long athletic kid that is growing in the game every day, raw project that has taken big steps this summer, soft touch from 12-15 feet • Kofi Aboagye - 6'2 G - strong physical kid that can guard the length of the floor, high level motor, makes any team better • Gum Majak - 6'8 F - long skilled big that has good fit, need to improve his motor but has solid intangables already • Austin Cook - 6'4 F - sophomore playing up that has made a name for himself, high ceiling on him moving forward Where can you find them in July?: July 13-15: Pangos Summer Sweet 16 - Garden Grove, CA July 19-22: Cream of the Crop - Garden Grove, CA July 26-29: Fab 48 - Las Vegas, NV   Team Name: Cali Rebels Elite Mid-Season Update: A crew that has had its ups and downs during the year but through reps and time together things have improved. This squad sits around .500 and looks to improve that record in July. This Cali Rebels team has good balance to it as it can beat you from outside or pound the ball inside through their bigs. Under the Radar Players: • Milos Filipovic - 7'0 C - 15 year old kid playing up, skilled kid that is still learning his length and size, good outside touch, solid footwork, needs to work on getting stronger and remaining confident • Mason Owens - 6'2 G - really good defender, long kid that can get going from outside but also slash to the rim, has progessed greatly over the last year, needs to continue to get stronger • Jack Stone - 6'0 G - tough defender that can go and get you a bucket, ball handling is improving, high IQ kid Where can you find them in July?: July 7-8: Clash of the Counties - Westminister, CA July 12-15: Summer Tip-Off Tournament - Anaheim, CA July 19-22: Cream of the Crop - Garden Grove, CA July 25-29: Bigfoot Classic - Las Vegas, NV   Team Name: California Supreme Mid-Season Update: A program that has a history of being widely successful and this season seems no different. While Cal Supreme may be a bit younger at levels than they have been in the past they haven't let that hold them back as they have stayed highly competitive all year. The youth of the program is extremely bright in the eyes of Director/Coach Gary Franklin. Under the Radar Players: 17U • Amir Adams - 6'5 W - surprising year so far, lengthy kid that can shoot the ball, still becoming more physical, a guy that has caught the attention of colleges • Doctor Bradley - 6'5 F - kid with high upside, really athletic kid • Diggy Winbush - 5'11 G - crafty kid that controls the game, high IQ kid, loves competiton 16U • Demetrius Caleb - 6'4 F - skilled lefty that can stroke the ball from deep, played at the top 100 this year, high ceiling • Christian Johnson - 5'11 G - led his high school to a state title as a freshman, great ball handler that controls the game • Jaren Harris - 6'0 G - guard that can play on or off the ball, scores well and gets others involved • Jean-Baptiste Mukeba - 6'8 F - big body in the middle that gets above the rim, hybrid type kid that can play in or out Where can you find them in July?: July 6-8: Cal Supreme Mini-Camp - Pasadena, CA July 12-15: Summer Tip-Off Tournament - Anaheim, CA July 20-22: TBD July 25-29: Bigfoot Classic - Las Vegas, NV