Francisco’s Finest: The Classic at Damien (On the Rise)
Francisco’s Finest: The Classic at Damien (On the Rise) LA VERNE, CA—Each and every season The Classic at Damien continues to build it’s reputation and as it stands now, it’s the “must-see” tournament on the West Coast. With an eighty…
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Continue ReadingFrancisco’s Finest: The Classic at Damien (On the Rise)
LA VERNE, CA—Each and every season The Classic at Damien continues to build it’s reputation and as it stands now, it’s the “must-see” tournament on the West Coast. With an eighty team field broken up into five divisions, quality and quantity are at your doorstep. With that being said here is the breakdown of our observations throughout the final day at the top two divisions: Platinum and Gold.
RJ Smith (Damien)
2022, WF/SG, 6-foot-3, 175 pounds
Smith has added a consistent jump shot to his terrific all around game.Joel’s Take: Overall, Smith is a solid all-around basketball player for someone so young. He has a solid frame with good length and is pretty bouncy. His jump shot has improved immensely since the summer and he has range to the 3-point stripe. Despite being 6-foot-3, he is a terrific rebounder with a nose for the ball. Defensively, he needs to improve his lateral quickness, but he’s a basketball player with a good feel for the game.
Kylan Boswell (Colony)
2023, PG, 6-foot, 160 pounds
Joel’s Take: Boswell is one of the best point guards for his class in So-Cal. He has a tight crossover, keeps the ball low, and he is equally good at scoring as he is facilitating. He has a knack for scoring in the mid-range area where his pull-up game is efficient. He gets off his shot off quick and his range extends to 20-feet. He forces it a bit at times, but overall he is solid.
Benny Gealer (Rolling Hills Prep)
2022, PG, 6-foot-1, 160 pounds
Joel’s Take: Gealer is molding into a solid all-around point guard. As a freshman he took far too many ill-advised shots, but his pace has slowed down a bit and he’s making better decisions. He has good, not great speed, but he gets where he needs to go. He is a quality shooter off the catch or with his pul-up game. His ball skills are crafty and his head is always up navigating the defense.
Fidelis Okereke (King Drew)
2020, PF, 6-foot-6, 225 pounds
Joel’s Take: Okereke is a physical specimen and should be a solid get at the DII level. His offense is limited and he lacks feel around the basket, but he can rebound and defend. He knows how to carve out space and he has strong hands to snag rebounds in traffic. His touch is limited and he needs to improve his elbow touch, but he’s a beast with a high motor.