The Orientation Top Standouts Pt. 1
This past weekend, Lynwood High School played host to The Orientation presented by Beach City Hoops and The Truth EYBL. The event showcased some of the top incoming players from the class of 2026 through a variety of drills and…
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Continue ReadingThis past weekend, Lynwood High School played host to The Orientation presented by Beach City Hoops and The Truth EYBL. The event showcased some of the top incoming players from the class of 2026 through a variety of drills and a couple of scrimmages. I was able to attend the event and here’s a look at some of the top standouts I saw.
1. Jason Crowe Jr. – Lynwood High School
The son of former Inglewood standout Jason Crowe, the younger Crowe will suit up for his dad at Lynwood this upcoming season. For a young player who hasn’t played a high school game yet, he’s got an advanced feel for the game. He’s a point guard and a very good passer in the pick and roll. A good ball-handler who can dribble under defensive pressure and get past his defender without a screen. He can shoot from three-point range and he can pull-up and hit the midrange. He can get to the rim and he uses step-through moves to get around the defense. Can finish through contact.
2. Trevaun McNeely – Harvard Westlake High School
McNeely projects as a forward at the high school level and he has some guard skills to go with that. He’s strong and he can finish through contact in the paint. Uses his body well to maintain control and finish at the rim. He’s got good handles for a bigger player; can hit defenders with a little crossover and get into the lane. He pushes the ball well in transition and he can act as the primary ball-handler on the break.
3. Markee White Jr. – Servite High School
White stood out as another forward with some guard and playmaking ability. He has a very good off the dribble game. He can get into the lane and get past the defense and he’s able to draw fouls and get himself to the free-throw line. He has very good court vision; he sees the floor in the halfcourt and he can kick the ball back out to open shooters on his drives once the defense collapses. On the break, he knows when to make the pass a sprinting teammates once the defender commits.
4. Aaron Balistrieri – Servite High School
Balistrieri stood out as a solid point guard who can also has a knack for scoring the basketball. In one-on-one drills he showed off a variety of offensive moves to get buckets. He has very good handles and he can break down the defense and get to the rim where he’s able to finish well. He can create space to get off a jumper and he can also face up and shoot. Good footwork around the rim. He does a good job driving along the baseline and kicking the ball out to open teammates.
5. Caleb Newton – Birmingham High School
Newton has good size and athleticism that certainly project well for the high school. He’s a big and strong guard that handle the ball and finish at the rim. He runs the floor well and he’s a finisher on the break. He can get up high and is always looking to finish strong. He is comfortable with the ball in his hands initiating the offense in the halfcourt and creating off the dribble.