Creme of the County: 2024 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>SAN DIEGO — The 2022 Creme of the County showcase operated by fellow Prep Hoops scout and Full-Time Hoops owner Aaron Burgin brought together many of San Diego's top basketball prospects in a class-by-class showcase game format. In this piece we go in-depth on the standout performers from the class of 2024 games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1502808' first='Andrei' last='Tovar']</strong>, San Ysidro - Tovar has made some major improvements not only to his game, but also to his body. The 6-foot-7 forward/center shed a few pounds in the offseason and it has made a big difference in his mobility, energy, and defensive impact. Tovar has always been a skilled big with great hands and touch around the basket and none of that has changed, but he's much more fluid and quick with his movements than he was last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brycen Mackenzie</strong>, Santa Fe Christian - Mackenzie is a big time playmaker off the dribble. The 6-foot-1 point guard has good command of the position, uses his burst and strength to get into the lane and is always looking to find open teammates. The junior is an effective mid-range and interior scorer due to his touch and ability to power up through contact, but also showed some improved confidence and consistency on his three-point shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Charlie Hutchison</strong>, Mission Bay - Hutchison continues to grow into a versatile wing prospect who can score and play-make equally well. At 6-feet-7, the junior has a fluid three-point shooting stroke that he uses to set up a balanced and consistent mid-range jumper off the bounce. One major step forward we saw from Hutchison in this event was his willingness to compete on the offensive and defensive boards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1502805' first='Euan' last='Davis']</strong>, El Camino - If toughness, scrappiness and aggressiveness is what you look for in your point guard, Davis is that type of player. The 6-footer is a ball-hawking, turnover-creating on-ball defender who pushes the tempo offensively and looks to get downhill and to the rim in transition. Davis is also an effective pick-and-roll ball handler because of his ability to score from deep and at the rim in addition to his draw an extra defender and make the correct read.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1423841' first='Derek' last='Tuason']</strong>, San Marcos - Tuason was one of the more lethal three-point shooting threats in the 2024 games. The 5-foot-9 off-guard has a knack for moving without the ball to get open shots. Tuason has fluid and fundamental shooting mechanics, gets great lift on his jumper and, because of his quick release, he doesn't need much time or space to get his shot off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kai Brown</strong>, Scripps Ranch - Simply put, Brown is just a player who makes things happen on both ends of the floor. The 6-foot guard had active hands on defense where he pick-pocketed a couple ball handlers and got his hands in passing lanes for deflections. Offensively, Brown is a three-level shot maker who can fill up the scoring column in a hurry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kyelin King</strong>, Lincoln - King is a long, wiry and athletic wing/forward whose impact on the game is wide-ranging because of his activity on both ends. The 6-foot-3 junior is a fluid and bouncy athlete who thrives in transition where he can slash his way to the basket for above-the-rim finishes. King's combination of length and lateral speed also makes him a high rate rebounder and versatile defender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lolo Rudolph</strong>, St. Augustine - To me, Rudolph was consistently the best player in the gym regardless of class. The 6-foot-2 point guard embodied the playmaker mindset and made impressive reads and passes both in transition and half-court settings. Rudolph lived in the paint in both the 2024 "Creme" game and overall "Creme de la Creme" game where he dished out nearly 10 assists in each game. Offensively, Rudolph is a powerful driver and finisher with an explosive first step and ability to absorb and finish through contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1502800' first='Ryan' last='Enos']</strong>, Cathedral Catholic - Enos is recognized as one of the top stretch four/five men in all of San Diego and there was no questioning that notion after his COTC efforts. The 6-foot-8 forward is a sharpshooter off the catch, out of pick-and-pop action and when trailing the play in transition. Enos flashed improved aggressiveness on the offensive and defensive boards, as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->