Nor Cal Previews First Spring Event of 2019 Part I
The last weekend in March kicked off the viewing of high school players playing with their aau teams. The NorCal Spring 2019 Showcase event was held at variouse sites in NorCal. I was at James Logan High School in Union…
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Continue ReadingThe last weekend in March kicked off the viewing of high school players playing with their aau teams. The NorCal Spring 2019 Showcase event was held at variouse sites in NorCal. I was at James Logan High School in Union City on Saturday and Dublin High School on Sunday. This is where the 17u and 16u were playing. For this event I focused on this age group. There is no doubt there were many good players at this event. This is a list of some of them.
Austin Patterson 6’2 2020 WCE Nor Cal 16U
I thought Austin had himself an outstanding weekend. He demonstrated he’s capable of playing both guard positions. He can be a scorer and appears comfortable playing the lead guard position with his solid handles, and his impressive scoring. He was consistent in his driving and finishing at the rim as well as knocking down his open shots. Rarely did he take bad shots or turn the ball over.
Michael Pearson 5’10 2020 Lakeshow Elite 17
Michael is starting off the spring where he finished his high school season, being that steady performer that consistently gets it done. He’s comfortable leading his team at the point guard position. His solid handles and a willingness to push and pass ahead have defenders scrambling to get back on defense. His mid-range game is becoming more consistent and his 3-point shooting has gotten better. He’s always been a prospect that can make important shots down the stretch.
Marcus Green 6’2 2020 Arsenal 17
Marcus always plays with a controlled tenacity, he’s has speed and quickness. At 6’2 his long, wiry frame can cover space on both ends of the court. He’s called upon to be more of a scoring guard right now, with his handles he can get to the rim, and his quick first step helps him knock down his mid-range jumper with some consistency. He’s a decent shooter from 3pt range. He’s a good ball handler and a willing passer. A good on ball defender, moves laterally and makes opponents work to bring the ball up the court. I look forward to watching him progress over the spring and summer.
Tiler Fears 6’2 2020 Lakeshow 17 Black
A solid prospect whose ability to knock down the mid-range jumper consistently caught my attention. He has a good shooting form and gets good lift on his shot. He’s a good shooter off the dribble and he comes off screens well. He handled the ball pretty good in the open court while being pressured, making good passes and often attacking the basket.
Isaac Padilla 6’4 2020 Hotshots Elite 17U
A wing type player who likes to gets out on the wings in transition. With his long wiry body he had some nice finishes in the open court, a few dunks, which is probably when he’s at his best, slashing and attacking on the move with space. The lefty has a smooth shot from mid-range all the way out to the 3 line. With his long arms and good lateral movement has the potential to be a good defender.
Oscar Chang 6’8 2020 Bay City 17s Showcase
The weight room has begun to pay-off for Oscar, he seems to be gaining some muscle that allows him to be have more presence in the post area. His offensive game is still a work in progress for a player standing at 6’8 in high school, with that being said he does have good footwork and did have some good finishes around the basket. I would like to see him be more aggressive down on the block On the defensive end he moves well in the post area, his arms are always extended taking up space and ready to disrupt a shot or go get a rebound.
Ryan Kiachian 6’8 2021 WCE Nor Cal 16U Hunter
Ryan is a good prospect. His fundamentals are good, he has good footwork in the post area, he’s a good passer from the low and hi posts, he has good footwork offensively in the post area but stronger and more bulky players tend to give him the most problems. He sets good solid screens, he has shown the ability to shoot behind the 3-point line and with good form. He runs the floor with a purpose, and he has good hands. When Ryan gets into the weight room and his body fills outs his game will go to another level. Right now he plays a solid role in the middle for his team by playing good post defense and working hard for rebounds and put backs. Keep this prospect on the radar he’s a 2021 with room to grow his game.
Donjae Lindsey 6’1 2021 Lakeshow 16’s Elite
No flash, just a solid well rounded prospect who has made a name for himself with his play. He has confidence. He can play both guard positions . He handles the ball well in the open court using his speed and strength to get past defenders. He’s a good passer, he combine strong handles, speed, quickness and strength to get into the paint at will and absorb contact and convert with a nice spin move, or a floater. He has a good first step, a good mid-range shot and can knock down the 3. Donjae usually guards the best player on the other team , he’s an excellent defender, has quick hands good lateral movement and can disrupt the flow with his pressure on the point guard.
Jordan Pope 6’0 2022 Arsenal 16U Elite
This young prospect has the tools to become one of the top play makers in Nor Cal. A combination of strength and quickness allows him to be a very difficult to defend. He’s got Solid handles and attacks hard on the drive. He has a quality mid-range game and a good shooter from the 3-point area. My Biggest take on this young prospect was watching him perform down the stretch in close contests. He had the ball in his hands and consistently was able to convert in traffic and knock down big shots with the game on the line.
Jaylen Thompson 6’5 2022 Arsenal 16U Elite
This Team Arsenal 16U is loaded with prospects. Jaylen has a long slender body whose added some muscle. Jaylen continues to expand his game in the spring with this team. He’s been working from the outside in. I think that’s a good thing for him, he usually starts in the post with his high school team. This weekend he showed me he can attack the basket hard with two dribbles from the wings, a dribble drive pull up, and a catch and shoot from the wings. I forget he’s a Freshman because does a lot for his teams, he’s always been a solid contributor who doesn’t make a lot of mistakes for a youngster. He rebounds and runs the floor. This summer could be a defining time for this prospect.