Focus/AVAC Thanksgiving Showcase: Standouts
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA – As the holidays come, plenty of Americans are feasting on turkey and the holiday traditions. Despite all the good turkey and mashed potatoes at the dinner table, players have to stay hungry when it comes to…
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Continue ReadingRANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA – As the holidays come, plenty of Americans are feasting on turkey and the holiday traditions. Despite all the good turkey and mashed potatoes at the dinner table, players have to stay hungry when it comes to being on the court. Prep Hoops takes a look at players who feasted at the Focus/AVAC Thanksgiving Showcase
Tyler Rolison Tyler Rolison 6'0" | PG St. Bernard | 2023 State #150 Nation CA-S (Seven Days/St. Bernard) The 2023 guard was one of the top players at the Thanksgiving Showcase. Rolison showed the ability to contribute at both guard positions. Showing off an improved handle and new moves off the dribble, the speedy and athletic guard seems to be a more complete player now. It will be scary for opponents once the regular season comes. Rolison was able to take his opponents off the dribble and get to the rim, and also showed moves behind the arc to free himself for off the dribble 3s. When not scoring, he did a great job finding cutters and looking for the open man. What will set him apart is he is great defender. Rolison plays excellent team defense as he timed outlet passes and made correct rotations. Keep an eye on Rolison as he keeps climbing up the rankings.
Isaiah Brickner (West Coast Flight/St. Augustine) The San Diego product had a huge showing on the first day of play. Brickner plays much bigger than his size as he’s usually a guard with his high school team but was playing in the front court with West Coast Flight. He shows the potential to be an excellent 3 and D guy at the next level. Brickner is very athletic, was getting to the rim at ease and wrecked havoc both on offense and defense. He is a great weakside defender flying in for several swats and also on offense flying in for putbacks including a huge jam that got the gym rocking. He has a high motor and went for every loose ball in sight. Coaches at the next level love to have players like him.
Darius Carr Darius Carr 6'3" | SG Fairfax | 2023 State #63 Nation CA-S (Seven Days/St. Bernard) Like his running mate Rolison, Carr is another player who can play both guard positions. At the showcase, he showed the ability to get to the rim at will. Carr has elite athleticism and has the potential to create a highlight on any given fast break. He has a quick first step and is tough stopping in the open court especially when he is coming down hill. His ability to switch between rising up for a jam or finessing his way to the rim with a step back makes him very tough in the open court.
Jereamiha McDonald (Avac/Undecided) Tearing up the 13U division was the playmaking bigman. McDonald not only has the size advantage over his defenders but he was surprisingly nimble and creative with the ball as well. Jereamiha started the game by pounding the other team inside with pump fakes and spins in the key once he backed his defender down. In the 2nd half of the game, opponents started doubling and triple teaming him and he was able to keep his eyes up and find the open man. What is surprising for a guy his age and size is how well he was passing the ball. On more than one posession, McDonald caught the ball at the free throw line, pump faked, euro stepped his way in the key and threw dimes to a cutter or a man in the corner for a wide open three. McDonald is an intriguing prospect and shows a lot of promise.
Christian Gamboa (West Coast Flight/La Jolla) The guard was one of the top players at his position. Gamboa is a good mix of both pull up shooting and slashing. The 2021 guard displays a high IQ and creative passing as well constantly finding the open man on his team. On defense, Gamboa does an excellent job shuffling his feet and staying in front of guys. He is a high motor player that teams need to keep their eyes open on.