Best of the West: 17u Standouts (Pt. 4)
The Pangos Best of the West Shootout was one of very few club basketball events to take place in Southern California due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The event featured some solid SoCal-based programs and individual talents at Ladera Sports Center…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe Pangos Best of the West Shootout was one of very few club basketball events to take place in Southern California due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
The event featured some solid SoCal-based programs and individual talents at Ladera Sports Center in South Orange County. Below is my fourth set of standouts from the 17u level games I was able to get my eyes on. Players are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT PART I
CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT PART II
CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT PART III
Chance Stephens Chance Stephens 6'2" | SG Riverside Poly | 2022 State CA-S , 2022, Cali Rebels – Stephens is one of the best young perimeter shooters in the region. The 6-foot-2 junior has deep and consistent three-point shooting range, understands how to move without the basketball to find open shooting pockets, and has an effortless release with a balanced base.
Brenden Terry, 2021, Cali Rebels – Terry was a beast inside throughout this event due to his high motor to go along with his strength and explosiveness on his 6-foot-7 frame. The senior forward is an active offensive and defensive rebounder who runs the floor in transition and has the hands and footwork to make tough catches and finishes in the painted area.
Jaylen Thompson, 2022, Southern California Academy – Thompson is another Northern California transplant to land at SCA. The 6-foot-6 wing holds a handful of high level offers which include Arizona, Alabama, LSU, Stanford and USC and it’s easy to see why those programs showed early interest. Thompson has the prototypical body type and game for his position at the next level as a long, wiry, slashing and scoring wing who can defend multiple positions. What may set him apart, and lead to a strong college career, is the improvement to his catch-and-shoot three-point shot.
Jalen Weaver Jalen Weaver 6'8" | SF Colorado Prep | 2021 #170 Nation CA-S , 2021, Southern California Academy – Weaver made his way to SCA from Colorado and the Nevada-commit is one of those players who you need on every team because of the way he competes and impacts the game in a variety of ways. Weaver can stretch the floor to the three-point line, score through contact in the paint, but his defensive prowess is what will make him an impact player at the next level. At 6-feet-4, Weaver can guard multiple positions and is an instinctual shot blocker with great timing on defensive rotations.
Darvelle Wyatt Darvelle Wyatt 6'4" | PF Etiwanda | 2021 State CA-S , 2021, Prodigy Elite – File Wyatt under the “glue-guy” category for his consistency and impact on both ends of the floor. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound forward is a tough cover for most interior players because of his combination of touch and footwork to go along with his willingness to create and power through contact. Wyatt showed the ability to stretch the floor to the perimeter in pick and pop situations, as well.