Nor Cal Summer Preview Day 1 Standouts

<p>July 2-3 PH NorCal was at the Nor Cal Summer Preview, an event for club teams to get some action before the live period July. There were a few high school teams who played as well. The games were at Chabot College in Hayward, Ca. 3 courts, 2 gyms. The first set of games began at 9:30, while the last was at 6:30. Here’s a couple of standouts from Day 1.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1503585" first="Rashad" last="Samuels"] 6’1 2023 PG of Chico HS.</strong></em></p> <p>He captured our attention with his up the court passing. The solid body guard made long strong passes whenever the opportunity was there. He has good vision and sees the court well as a pass first guard. He was good attacking the rim in transition, and playing through contact. </p> <p><em><strong>Semaj Clark 5’7 2025 PG of Wilcox HS.</strong></em></p> <p>He has a superb set of handles, with shifty moves to go with it. He’s a dribbler who can get into the paint for off hand finishes high off the glass to get his shot off over bigs. At 5’7 he has the speed, and craftiness to avoid the contact. He sets his big man up well with no look dump-off passes. </p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1389039" first="Jace" last="Thompson"] 6’2 2025 SG of Rio Americano HS</strong></em></p> <p>Thompson was one of the better shooters in this age group. He hit his first 3 shots from the corner behind the 3pt line. He ended the first half with five 3’s. He moves well along the baseline, and coming up off screens. He’s shot ready, squares up fast. He moves well without the ball getting several back-door buckets from overplay.</p> <p><em><strong>David O Balogun 6’5 2025 F of Cornerstone Christian HS</strong></em></p> <p>Sometimes young prospects have to be reminded of how to use your body, and strength. When he does that he’s hard to guard inside the paint. He’s a good rebounder,  with decent moves to score in the paint. He can handle well enough to use a few dribbles to get into the paint for points.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1137233" first="Dante" last="Walls"] 6’3 2024 SG of Laguna Creek HS</strong></em></p> <p>Walls has the scorers mentality, he’s not shy about putting up shots. He has the tools and confidence to hit long 3’s off the dribble coming up in transition, or setting up wide on the perimeter. He handles well enough to take on defenders looking to get to his spot for mid-range jumpers, and drives into the paint. </p> <p><em><strong>Aaron Claytor 6’2 2024 PG of Salesian Prep HS</strong></em></p> <p>He’s a quality guard with good handles, and court vision. He seems to be a pass first guard, but has a good mid-range, and 3pt shot to keep the defense from slacking off. He has good anticipation, knowing where his scorers are positioned. He usually finds the open shooter, cutter, or big man in the paint.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1382861" first="Amani" last="Johnson"] 6’3 2024 G of Salesian Prep HS</strong></em></p> <p>He’s a good all-around player He’s been steady, and constant working on the defensive side of the ball. He has good foot-work, and a strong body to make his man work on every possession, on the perimeter and in the post. He’ll hit a few spotting up behind the 3pt line. He can use his dribble to get into the paint. He’ll battle for rebounds.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1253529" first="Quentin" last="Thompson"] 6’3 2024 W/F of Lincoln HS</strong></em></p> <p>He’s a long prospect who can contribute in different ways. He has a good set of skills that allows him to be productive inside, and away from the basket. He moves and handles well in transition, and on the perimeters. He has the tools to create his own opportunities at times. He has good lift going up for rebounds and points in the paint. He’s on the Wright’s Watch List.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>