Hoops By Ugland Skills Summit: Best Big Men
Irvine, Ca. — Saturday's Hoops By Ugland Skills Summit at Beckman high school featured 90-plus players from the classes of 2019 to 2022.
The event featured two hours worth of intense skill work, guest speakers with deep roots in the basketball community and camp games to close out the day.
Here are the top big men performers, regardless of class, from the event.
Anthony Garza, Shadow Ridge (AZ)
Garza has a budding inside-out skill set and a nice frame to boot. The 6-foot-7 forward is active and mobile in transition, understands how to establish deep post position, and has soft touch around the basket. Garza stepped out on the perimeter a handful of times and showed good shot mechanics.
Bradley Ezewiro, Bishop Montgomery
Ezewiro was on a mission to break a rim or a backboard during the camp games. The 6-foot-8 forward caught a number of lob passes and finished them off with powerful two-handed dunks. Right now, dunks and power finishes in the paint are the focal point of Ezewiro's offensive game.
Deshawn Johnson, Washington Prep
Johnson, at 6-feet-5, is a bit of an undersized four man, but there's no questioning his production. The recent Washington Prep addition rebounds well in and out of his space, can hedge and recover on high ball-screen action, and finishes well through contact in the paint.
Rancho Solano Prep forward Hunter Ruck was the best shot blocker at the Hoops By Ugland Skills Summit.Hunter Ruck, Rancho Solano Prep (AZ)
Ruck was the best shot blocker and one of the more active big men in the gym. The 6-foot-9 forward has great length and his timing and quickness off the floor allowed him to pin multiple layup attempts against the backboard. Ruck changes ends of the floor well in transition and beat his defender down the floor for easy buckets on numerous occasions.
Isaiah Holm, St. John Bosco
Holm had some of the best hands, touch and traditional post footwork in the gym. The 6-foot-8 forward/center caught every pass — good or bad — thrown his way and showed the dexterity and coordination to gather himself, get on balance and finish in the paint. When Holm did get a touch on the block, he showed drop step and finish ability to either hand.
