A Scout’s Take: San Diego Showcase (Biggest Sleepers)
A Scout’s Take: San Diego Showcase (Biggest Sleepers)
SAN DIEGO, Ca.— Two of the most well-known basketball gurus in San Diego—Charlie Mercado (Gamepoint) and Anthony Boltan (Vista HS) put on a terrific event (San Diego HS Showcase) that left a plethora of fine memories. First and foremost, when you add a Southern Section powerhouse (Rancho Christian) as well LA City Section favorite Fairfax to the mix, chances are you’re going to attract a nice crowd—and it did in droves.
Garrett Schaefer (Temecula Valley)
2020, PG, 6-foot-3, 170 pounds
Joel’s Take: One of the more intriguing guards in San Diego, regardless of class is Schaefer. His older brother (Riley) is having a productive career at Cal Poly and the younger Schaefer is on his way as well. He has a terrific frame with long arms and overall good length. He pushes the ball well in the open court, gets rid of the bal quickly, and can score at the rim. At this stage he is a diamond in the rough, but with continue experience at the point guard position, the talent is there for him to play at the next level.
Emilio “Melo” Sanchez (San Diego Mater Dei)
2021, CG, 6-foot-2, 160 pounds
Joel’s Take: If you’re looking for one of the better all-around guards in the San Diego Class of 2021, look no further than Sanchez. He’s got good size, ideal quickness, and a solid skill set. He can play both guard positions due to his savvy for the game and skill. He advances the ball in transition, can get to the rim, or nail the mid-range jump shot.
Yassine Gharram (Foothills Christian)
2020, PG, 6-foot, 160 pounds
Joel’s Take: Gharram is a point guard with a bevy of moxie. He is a true leader on the court who plays both ends with skill and assertiveness. Defensively, he has good lateral quickness as well as active hands. He attacks hard in transition and will either nail the pull-up jump shot or snap a pass to an open teammate. He has a tendency to force the issue at times, but he’s a gamer.
Devin Fortune (Murrietta Mesa)
2019, WF, 6-foot-4, 185 pounds
Joel’s Take: The physical tools are evident with Fortune, now it’s time for the skill set to continue to evolve. He has an ideal frame for the next level with long arms and broad shoulders and the explosiveness is evident. He gets most of his points in transition where he can explode to the rim and he can knock in the occasional jump shot, but his upside is promising.
AJ Burgin (San Diego)
2021, CG, 6-foot-2, 165 pounds
Joel’s Take: San Diego was down a number of key performers, thus it was Burgin who had pick up the pieces—and he did indeed. He is a combo-guard who is equally effective as a scorer as he is at facilitating. He set up his teammates for easy scores, but still hand time to knock in a number of deep jump shots.
Brandon Angel (Torrey Pines)
2020, PF, 6-foot-7, 190 pounds
Joel’s Take: Angel has that prototypical frame with broad shoulders and long arms and his strength is improving as well. He is a fluid athlete who can play inside and out, but is more comfortable playing on the perimeter due to his soft shooting touch. He is quite potent shooting off the catch from the corners and projects well as a pick-and-pop 4-man.