Ryse Up Fall Classic Day 1
This Saturday, Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, CA was host to the Ryse Up Fall Classic, in memory of former Redondo Union High School basketball player Ryse Williams. Williams was committed to Loyola Marymount back in 2017, but passed…
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Continue ReadingThis Saturday, Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, CA was host to the Ryse Up Fall Classic, in memory of former Redondo Union High School basketball player Ryse Williams. Williams was committed to Loyola Marymount back in 2017, but passed away a mere day before graduation due to a rare form of cancer.
The two-day event moves to Culver City High School on Sunday, and all proceeds will go to the Ryse Williams Charitable Foundation.
I attended the event on Saturday, and here’s a look at some of the top standouts that I saw.
1. Ralph Cruz – Long Beach Poly 2022
Cruz is a strong player on the insider. He runs the floor very well for a big man in transition. He’s always got his head up and he puts himself in position to catch a pass from his teammates on the break. He finishes well at the rim and he’s a good cutter along the baseline. A good rebounder who gives a ton of effort on the glass. He can draw contact well too and get himself to the free-throw line.
2. Nick Andrews – Beverly Hills 2020
Andrews is a solid point guard and floor leader. He has good court awareness and good court vision; he makes the right plays. He’s a good shooter both from the midrange and from the three-point line. When he has the angle, he uses the glass for jumpers; a lost art in today’s game. He runs the floor well in transition and he get all the way to the rim and draw contact to get to the free-throw line.
3. Jadon Jones – St. Anthony 2020
Jones is a very versatile player who is able to do a little bit of everything on the court. He’s an efficient scorer who can shoot from midrange and from three-point range. He’s a forward, but if need be, he can handle the ball and bring it up court to set up the offense. When he as the ball in his hands, he can create for himself on the perimeter or attack his defender off the dribble and get to the rim. Great at drawing contact. A strong defender who match up in the paint or on the wing.
4. Dior Johnson – Mayfair 2022
Johnson is a young guard, but has incredible poise like that of an older player. Despite being down, he helped engineer a comeback with his leadership and solid play. He can shoot from distance, but what really makes him difficult to guard is his slashing game. He’s a strong guard who can get to the rim with ease. He can absorb contact from defenders and still finish the play at the rim.
5. Justin Gladney – Fairfax 2020
Gladney is a solid floor leader as well. He’s a scoring point guard, he knows when to get his teammates involved, but he can also be a deadly scorer. He can shoot from the perimeter, but his main bread and butter on the offensive end is his ability to get to the rim. He’s got a quick first step and can beat his defender off the dribble easily. He finishes well at the rim and he has a nice little floater. An overall tough player, especially on the defensive end.
6. Jaren Johnson – Lynwood 2020
Johnson is a solid guard who is capable of playing both point guard and shooting guard. He acts as the primary ball-handler for Lynwood and is usually setting up the offense. He is solid when it comes to creating his own shot on the perimeter and he has range out the three-point line. He has a good slashing game too and is able to get to the rim. Can shoot with defenders in his face. He has good length on the defensive end and he contests shots well on the perimeter.