Hustle Finals: Top Athletes
There was plenty of talent at the PrepHoops Circuit Hustle Region Finals, and as you might expect there were a number of guys who really impressed with the athleticism they brought to the table. Here’s a look at the top…
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Continue ReadingThere was plenty of talent at the PrepHoops Circuit Hustle Region Finals, and as you might expect there were a number of guys who really impressed with the athleticism they brought to the table. Here’s a look at the top athletes we saw this past weekend in Irvine.
Fallou Cisse (2021 Arizona Compass/California Select Black) – Cisse is a long and lean big man who ran the floor extremely well and was very fluid around the hoop. While his height measures at 6-foot-7, it is a good bet that his wingspan is past seven feet and he utilized that to his advantage on the defenisve end with a number of blocks. Cisse has a soft turnaround righty floater that he used often to score underneath and he probably finished with as many dunks as anyone in the tournament. He didn’t note any offers as of yet but he did prominently schools such as Fresno State and Texas Tech who have shown interest.
Anjay Cortez (2020 United Faith Christian/California Select Black) – In terms of raw athleticism, Cortez certainly has it. The 6-foot-5 wing/forward plays above the rim and really gets up and down the court in transition. Cortez was very aggressive offensively, at times trying to dunk everything in sight. A native of North Carolina, Cortez currently holds an offer from D-II Catawba and his hope is that going out to the West Coast will open things up even more this season.
Jaren Johnson (2020 Lynwood/The Truth EYBL 17U) – Johnson may not be particularly explosive but he has a smooth and silky demeanor that gives him what some may call underrated athleticism. The 6-foot-5 wing floated to the basket on drives, often drawing contact to get to the line. Johnson also has a nice looking jumper from the perimeter.
Deshawn Johnson (2020 Washington Prep/Fastbreak Sports) – Catch a glimpse from Johnson and the immediate reaction is “who is that?!?” because he already looks like a full-grown man. The 6-foot-6 forward/post is blessed with incredible strength and his game was about using that to his advantage down low. He ran the floor well and when Johnson dunked, he dunked with authority.
Ramel Lloyd Jr (2022 Taft/The Truth EYBL 15U) – Lloyd is blessed with a body that’s mature for his age and he definitely used it to his advantage for The Truth. He could physically overpower opponents on his way to the basket, but was also quick enough to get past them off the dribble. Lloyd had the length to finish at the rim as well. Extremely skilled, the rising sophomore already has a number of Division I offers in his name.
Caleb Nelson (2021 Carlsbad/Coast Elite Slayers 16U) – Nelson could also rank as one of the top shooters we saw but he’s also a great athlete. The 6-foot-5 wing/forward – who also doubles as a wide receiver on the gridiron – isn’t necessarily the run and jump type, but he’s an all-around athlete who is blessed with a very strong frame. He was able to use his strength to battle on the boards and get past opponents on drives to the basket, and he finished at the rim in transition.