A Scout’s Take: Trevor Ariza Westchester Tip-Off Classic (Part 1)
A Scout’s Take: Trevor Ariza Westchester Tip-Off Classic (Part 1)
LOS ANGELES, CA—One of my favorite escapades during the holiday season is venturing out to Westchester High School for the Trevor Ariza Westchester Tip Off Classic. Sure the action is always enticing to the scouting eye, but it’s also an excuse to stop by Alejos’ for some fine Italian cuisine. With garlic fumes oozing out of my pours, there were some stellar performances to report on including So-Cal sleeper Alex Mishaw of West High School as well super junior Amound Anderson of Leuzinger High School.
Malik Salahuddin (Long Beach Poly)
2019, CG, 6-foot-1, 155 pounds
Joel’s Take: Long Beach Poly has always been known as one of the more tenaciously defensive teams around—and their catalys appears to be Salahuddin. He possesses superior lateral quickness, active hands, and mindset that marinates in moxie. His burst off the dribble is lightening quick and his pull-up game is on the rise. If his 3-point shot comes around his stock will continue to rise.
Alex Mishaw (West /Torrance)
2019, SG, 6-foot-2, 165 pounds
Joel’s Take: Mishaw plays as if he is shot out of a cannon. He blitzes up and down the court with a relentless passion and his motor never stops. He shashes his way to the rim, is a quick jumper, and he has a scorer’s mentality. He’ll advance the ball as well and his rebounding prowess is noticeble despite his lsight frame. He needs to become a better shooter and his ball handling could get tighter as well, but he can plays somewhere at the next level.
Julian Verrier (Hart)
2019, SG, 6-foot-2, 175 pounds
Joel’s Take: Verrier caught my eye with his tight all-around game. He utlizes the jump stop off the dribble, gets nice lift on his shot, and his passing showed a solid IQ for the game.
Pierce Sterling (Notre Dame/Riverside)
2019, PG, 6-foot, 155 pounds
Joel’s Take: The left-handed Sterling appears to be transitioning to the point guard position quite well. He is a scorer first and foremost, but he did an outstanding job of running the team in a highly competitive game versus Long Beach Poly. He changed speeds, snapped passes to open shooters, and nailed some pull-up jump shots.
Anton Mozga (Notre Dame/Riverside)
2019, SG, 6-foot-5, 180 pounds
Joel’s Take: Mozga has slowy, but assuredly, become a better player each and every season. He needs to finish through contact with more regularity, but he’s impacting the game in the areas of rebounding, scoring, and leadership.
Bradley Ezewiro (Bishop Montgomery)
2020, C, 6-foot-8, 230 pounds
Joel’s Take: The big and burly 5-man is making progress at both ends of the floor. His hands have improved and he’s finishing through contact at a more consistent rate. He still plays too straight up and down (poor balance at times), but overall his progress has been solid during his junior season.