Classic at Damien: Top Unsigned Seniors (Part I)

<p>LA VERNE — Damien high school played host to its annual Classic at Damien post-holiday high school hoops tournament and the competition didn't disappoint. The event drew 80 teams from multiple states and were spread across five divisions.</p> <p>The Platinum Division featured the best of the best with Rancho Christian upsetting Sierra Canyon, 85-81, in an overtime thriller. Gonzaga-bound point guard Dominick Harris led the Eagles with 32 points, while junior guard Jaden Byers had one of his best overall games of his career, finishing with a controlled 20 points. Evan Mobley, widely regarded as the No. 1 player in the country for the class of 2020, finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds.</p> <p>For Sierra Canyon, it was Ziaire Williams leading the way in his Trailblazers' debut, scoring 28 points, while Kentucky-bound guard B.J. Boston added 27 as Sierra Canyon fell for the first time this season.</p> <p>While the huge crowds, television crews and mixtape producers were focused in on the top teams and prospects at Damien, we wanted to shine a light on some of the top unsigned seniors who have the ability to help college programs at various levels.</p> <p><strong>Anthony Roy</strong>, Dublin</p> <p>Roy was an all-tournament selection in the Platinum Division and impressed media members and college coaches alike with his improved play. The 6-foot-4 wing not only looks the part on the floor, but gets the job done athletically both as a transition finisher and a versatile defender. Roy showed off an improved 3-point shooting stroke and there wasn't one game in the event he didn't connect on multiple deep balls. Roy is going to be a solid late addition at the Division I level.</p> <p><strong>Elisha Cofield</strong>, Birmingham</p> <p>If there was an all-energy team, Cofield would be the headliner. Very few guys play harder than the 6-foot-6 Birmingham forward, and while he may get a little out of control at times, the quality of playing hard is not something easily instilled in a player. Cofield is an active rebounder on both ends of the floor, has good timing as a shot blocker and runs the floor with purpose and can finish powerfully around the basket.</p> <p><strong>D.J. Jackson</strong>, Etiwanda</p> <p>If you're looking for a guy with a high level of toughness, Jackson is your guy. He set the tone early in Etiwanda's close semifinal loss to Sierra Canyon and showed the Trailblazers that he, nor his team, were going to back down. Jackson has the ability to play both on or off the ball, can create for himself or others off the bounce and defends at a high level both individually and within a team concept.</p> <p><strong>Shane Bell</strong>, Salesian</p> <p>Bell was a guy I noticed on travel circuit as someone with three-and-D potential and he lived up to that in his performance with Salesian. The 6-foot-4 wing has a long wiry frame, spreads the floor with a smooth shooting stroke, and is especially accurate from either corner. Bell showed that he can defend multiple positions at the high school level and comes from a well-coached program.</p> <p><strong>Devin Tillis</strong>, Windward</p> <p>Tillis is a guy that many SoCal basketball followers have been clamoring for Division I coaches to offer. The 6-foot-6 forward didn't have his best individual effort at Damien, but his skill-set at his size, basketball IQ and long term potential were impressive enough for UNLV to pull the trigger on his first Division I offer. </p>