Classic at Damien: Top Unsigned Seniors (Part II)

Devin Ugland January 2, 2020 @ 09:00 AM

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. 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. 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. 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. Austin Cook, Damien The 6-foot-4 wing has played at a high level of competition in all four years of his high school career and his experience shows in his play. Cook always seems to be in the right place at the right time, he practices ball security on the offensive end which limits turnovers and he's made positives strides as a passer and rebounder. Cook is known as a player who can stroke the three ball with consistency, and while he still has that in his arsenal, he has plenty of other tools to help a program at the next level. Nick Bowden, St. Bernard Bowden's tournament was cut short due to an ankle injury, but his impact was still felt while he was on the bench as St. Bernard's energy was clearly down without its senior leader. The 6-foot combo guard is one of the highest motor players in all of Southern California and that's manifested with how he competes on each and every possession. Bowden is getting some high Division II looks and he's the type of guy who could carve out a role on that level and at the low major Division I level as well. Amound Anderson, Leuzinger Anderson's lack of recruitment is one of the more baffling stories in all of SoCal high school hoops. The four-year varsity starter is putting up some unreal scoring numbers this season and he makes it happen with an ease and smoothness to his game that makes it all the more impressive. The 6-foot-3 swingman has the ability to initiate offense and play off the ball because of his shooting prowess. Anderson told my colleague, Joel Fransisco, that he has yet to receive and offer from any level which is absolutely mind boggling. Elijah Alonso, Dublin Alonso is a physical specimen at the guard position. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder is a consistent three-point shooting threat off the catch, but also uses that strength to his advantage when getting into the paint and absorbing and finishing through contact. Alonso averaged double-figure scoring for the event and rebounds the basketball well for his size. Jaylen Clark, Etiwanda While many of the seniors mentioned haven't been quite as highly-regarded as Clark, who is a Top 150 ranked player in the country, he certainly has to make the list. The 6-foot-5 wing made his debut for Etiwanda after transferring from Corona Centennial, and though he got off to a slow start, he picked things up quickly in the second half. Clark scored all 17 of his points after halftime, with the majority of them coming in a downhill, transition finishing style. Clark has plenty of mid to high major suitors right now, it'll just be up to him to pick where he best fits.