The Stage Act I: Top Playmakers (Pt. 2)

Photo: Aaron Burgin Twitter

Devin Ugland April 12, 2022 @ 01:31 PM

ANAHEIM — The Stage Circuit’s first act of hosting club basketball events in Orange County featured a strong contingent of teams and prospects from the west coast and beyond. The three-day live period event took place at Open Gym Premier in Anaheim and The Draft Sports Complex in Corona with teams from California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Texas, Canada and North Carolina represented. In this piece we take a look at the top playmakers from the event. Nate Simon, California Select - Simon is a quick twitch lefty who uses his speed and crafty ball handling ability to weave in and out of the defense and get into the paint where he can finish or find open shooters. Some of Simon’s best attributes are the intangible parts of his game: Toughness, competitiveness and playing with a high motor. Rayniel Wright, Compton Magic Premier - Wright is an unsigned senior who did himself some favors in this event. The 6-foot-1 point guard is a long, wiry and athletic playmaker whose shiftiness and creativity off the dribble makes him a tough cover for opposing defenders. Wright, who helped St. Bernard high school win a CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship, has great blow-by speed in the half-court setting and finishes well over rim protectors. Roosevelt “Tru” Washington, AZ Firestorm Elite - Washington is one of those "three-level scorers" who is wired to put the ball in the basket, but can also play on the ball as a primary ball-handler and decision-maker. The 6-foot-4 guard has an impressive combination of size, speed, strength and athleticism that he uses to his advantage on the break where he can finish through contact or above the rim. Washington flashed a consistent pull-up left-handed jump shot off of a one or two dribble pull up. [player_tooltip player_id="994921" first="Titus" last="Davis"], Team Keenan Allen - Davis jumped off the court as a guy to watch based on his overall impact on the games we saw him play in. The 6-foot-1 point guard plays fast and with a high motor, but manages to stay under control and make good decisions in transition. Davis has explosive speed in the open court and did a nice job of putting pressure on the rim while keeping an eye for open shooters or playing a two-man game with his big men. [player_tooltip player_id="985637" first="Tylen" last="Riley"], Las Vegas Knicks - Riley had a strong junior campaign for Durango high school in the Las Vegas area and carried that momentum into the first live period event of the spring. The 6-foot-3 point guard operates with great pace in transition, is willing to get off the ball, uses his court vision and change of speed and tempo to get into the lane, and opts for the simple play more often than the flashy one.