Creme of the County: Event Surprises, Part 3

<p>For the first time since 2019, San Diego basketball player took the floor in the 3P Creme of the County, a one-day showcase aimed at giving players a chance to showcase their talents in front of a bevy of media and scouts.</p> <p>(Full Disclosure: it’s my event. No, seriously, it is)</p> <p>It was great to be able to host the daylong event, and see so many of the region’s top players competing. One of the things I personally enjoyed was seeing certain prospects that came in unheralded and stole the show. Here is the final group of surprises at the event.</p> <h2>Creme of the County: Event Surprises, Part 3</h2> <h3>Kai Brown, 5-11 2024 G, St. Augustine</h3> <p>Brown was the second of six Saintsmen to win an MVP award on the day, and arguably the biggest surprise. The long, athletic brown changes speed and pace well, gets into the paint and is a above-average finisher around the basket. Additionally, he is a solid shooter from the perimeter. He's behind one of the deepest back courts in San Diego, but he's got a lot of upside in his own right. </p> <h3>Jack Leininger, 5-9 2023 G, Del Norte</h3> <p>Leininger was the second Del Norte player to surprise in this setting, and he did it with fundamentals, high-level skill set and efficiency. But he also had some moments of flash, including a nasty crossover into a one-dribble pull-up that drew "oohs" from the crowd. </p> <h3>Jake Bishop, 6-1 2024 G, Mission Hills</h3> <p>Arguably the biggest surprise of the AM sessions was Bishop, who hit four threes to keep his 2024 Creme team in the game. Bishop has nice length and flawless mechanics. He gets his feet set and shoulders squared to the basket and has a fast enough release to get his shot off under duress. </p> <h3>Ali Johnson, 6-1 2022 G, Point Loma</h3> <p>Johnson is one of SD's more intriguing senior prospects. A long, and quietly explosive guard who can finish above the rim, Johnson is still raw in terms of his feel. But as he displayed during his showcase game, he has better physical tools than most. </p> <h3>Isaiah Reed, 5-10 2022 G, Army Navy </h3> <p>After not seeing Army Navy last year, this was my first time to see the Reed twins, transplants from Orange County. Isaiah, a sneaky explosive combo guard, was impressive in his team's win. He has a nose for the basketball and doesn't need it in his hands to make an impact. He's a senior to keep an eye on this season. </p>