So-Cal Live Period events: Friday recap
Opening night of the NCAA Evaluation Period took me to The Map Sports Facility for Hoop Salem Oregon’s So-Cal Live Showcase. Friday night’s marquee matchup featured two of the better independent 17u teams on the West Coast, Prodigy Elite and…
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Continue ReadingOpening night of the NCAA Evaluation Period took me to The Map Sports Facility for Hoop Salem Oregon’s So-Cal Live Showcase. Friday night’s marquee matchup featured two of the better independent 17u teams on the West Coast, Prodigy Elite and the So-Cal All Stars. But there were plenty of solid prospects around the gym. Here’s my rundown.
Top prospect
Ian Martinez, 6-4 G, So-Cal All-Stars
Even in a losing effort to a very good Prodigy team, Martinez stood out as the most complete prospect in the gym. The wiry, bouncy combo guard scores it prolifically from all three levels and is an underrated and unselfish playmaker. He also had some highlight chase-down blocks in transition, never giving up on plays.
Best Freshman
Kamal Muhammad, 6-7 2022 PF/C, Northwest Coastal Elite
The broad-shouldered post player has underrated length, soft hands and gives an excellent effort on the boards. He gets low and wide on the block and gives passers a good target. While not possessing polished post game, he shows flashes of skill on the block and from the short corners. Muhammad should be one to watch out of the Pacific Northwest.
Most intriguing
Mutdung Bol, 6-4 2020 G, Northwest Coastal Elite
Bol took some ill-advised shot and played too fast to start the game, but once he settled in, he played winning basketball in a win over IEBP. At 6-4, the wiry Bol has nice size and can play – and defend – both guard positions. He’s a crafty scorer, capable of getting hot from three, hitting the pull-up off the dribble and scoring in the paint with a nice floater package. When he dialed in with his decision making, Bol had some nice dimes in the halfcourt as well.
Jaylen Searles, 6-6 2020 W, Northwest Coastal Elite
Searles has eye-popping length and underrated explosiveness (nearly brought the house down with a one dribble tomahawk attempt off the wing). His jumper is playable from mid-range and his mechanics look sound. He has a tendency to float when he doesn’t have the ball, and must improve his effort level on defense. But the tools are there for him to be a D1 prospect.
Best unsigned prospect
Shaden Knight, 5-10 PG, Prodigy Elite
Knight, who is coming off a stellar senior year at Rancho Cucamonga, is a nightmare for opposing guards. He is a relentless defender who never gives up on a play, and has quick hands and great defensive footwork. Offensively, the speed merchant is a true point guard that looks to facilitate first and score second. There’s a place for him on a college roster.
Best shooter
Peter Carney, 6-2 SG, IEBP 17u
Carney doesn’t have a prototypical basketball frame, but he’s a prolific scorer with great range on his three point shot. He moves well without the ball, creating scoring opportunities off of pin-down screens and sharp cuts, and doesn’t need a lot of space to get his shot off. Whenever IEBP needed a bucket down the stretch versus Northwest Coastal, they turned to Carney.
Notes:
- IEBP 17u also got a solid effort from 2020 Redlands East Valley PG Hakeem Banuelos. The burly guard is so crafty with the ball and dropped dimes all over the court, and used his body to absorb contact and finish around the rim.
- Gamepoint 17u Select rising senior guard Jake Tawhiao had his scoring package on display in a win over Team Fly. Tawhiao has a scorer’s mentality, looking to attack the basket and finish through and around contact.
- NP4 Elite got solid efforts from unsigned prep wing Rayquan Everett, 2020 Lincoln guard Reggie Everett and unsigned senior wing forward Charles Williams III.