Francisco’s Finest: Geico TFI (LV Orange/Bishop Gorman)
Francisco’s Finest: Geico Top Flight Invite (LVO Orange/Bishop Gorman) GILBERT, AZ.—Since school started in this virtual world of learning, my mind has been working at a frenetic pace developing lessons and projects for my students. However, when a colleague of…
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Continue ReadingFrancisco’s Finest: Geico Top Flight Invite (LVO Orange/Bishop Gorman)
GILBERT, AZ.—Since school started in this virtual world of learning, my mind has been working at a frenetic pace developing lessons and projects for my students. However, when a colleague of mind—and fellow Prephoops writer—Devin Ugland text me about this event on ESPN2, it was a no-brainer to put my studies down and watch some hoops. It began with a tilt between national powerhouse Big Red (Mater Dei) versus one of Arizona’s in Tri Starting 5 (Sunnyslope). Toss in the likes of consensus No. 1 prospect Chet Holmgren and scoring dynamo Jaden Hardy translated into an epic day of hoops viewing.
Will McClendon Will McClendon 6'4" | SG Bishop Gorman | 2021 State #42 Nation NV (Bishop Gorman)
2021, WF, 6-foot-4, 220 pounds
Joel’s Take: McClendon, who is committed to UCLA, is a rugged wing-type who impacts the game in a variety of ways. While growing up on the Grassroots scene, he was mostly a pull-up shooter in transition who played hard at both ends. He isn’t a bouncy athlete, but he grinds his opponents with his moxie. Snatching rebounds and tossing out nifty assists are part of the package, but his jump shot (streaky at best) needs to get more consistent going forward.
Darrion Williams Darrion Williams 6'6" | SF Bishop Gorman | 2022 State NV (Bishop Gorman)
2022, PF, 6-foot-6, 210 pounds
Joel’s Take: Grant Rice struck gold in the free transfer market when Wiliams and fellow classmate AJ Storr AJ Storr 6'6" | SF IMG Academy post grad | 2022 State #119 Nation FL arrived on the Gael campus. Williams is a blue collar 4-man who impacts the game with his nose for the ball and evolving perimeter skill set. He can operate from the elbow and pick apart the defense or knock in the open jump shot. He moves well without the ball, can face-up his defender and attack, and shows good scoring skills in the paint.
Zaon Collins Zaon Collins 6'0" | PG Bishop Gorman | 2021 #37 Nation NV (Bishop Gorman)
2021, PG, 6-foot-1, 160 pounds
Joel’s Take: The UNLV-bound Collins is one of the best point guards—at both ends of the floor—on the West Coast. He has an ideal frame with long arms and he has excellent speed and quickness. His ability to manage the half court offense and push it hard in transition is noted. His vision is impeccable and he rarely gets himself into trouble with the dribble. To take his game to a new level he will need to tighten up his jump shot to keep his penetration game going.
Daniel Rouzan Daniel Rouzan 6'8" | PF Bishop Gorman | 2021 CA-S (Bishop Gorman)
2021, 6-foot-7, 230 pounds
Joel’s Take: Rouzan, who has transferred in from Rialto/Eisenhower, gives Head Coach Grant Rice everything they are lacking. He is a true 5-man with soft hands, fundamentally sound moves on the block, and he gives you an honest effort each time out. Despite being undersized against Prolific Prep, he used his thick frame to carve out space and finish over Nathan Bittle and others.
AJ Storr AJ Storr 6'6" | SF IMG Academy post grad | 2022 State #119 Nation FL (Bishop Gorman)
2022, WF, 6-foot-6, 195 pounds
Joel’s Take: This was my first real look—not counting the mixtapes that are prevalent nowadays—at Storr. He is that quintessential wing-type who has a great frame with length and a feathery shooting touch from the perimeter. He can catch lobs over the defense, slash his way to the rim, or show off his on-balance jump shot.