BYG Hoops OC Showdown: Top Centers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MISSION VIEJO - On Saturday and Sunday, Mission Viejo High School hosted the OC Showdown and featured several of the top programs in Southern California. Prep Hoops takes a look at the top performing big men from the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_635a1fa5d0074","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1547614"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1641269,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Lath is a paint beast.  The 2023 6'10u0022 center is a strong, athletic big man who plays with strength and power.  When he gets in the paint he is a threat to throw down a dunk every time.  His teammates are always looking to throw him lobs and when he's not aerial, he does a great job utilizing a drop step and spin to finish inside.  Lath hustles, has a good motor, runs the floor and goes basket to basket where his strengths are.  He does a great job using his big frame and strong body to box out and grab boards, and does a good job contesting shots around the rim.  Lath currently holds offers from UCLA and TCU.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["992478"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Gardner possesses a skillset that is truly primed for today's NBA.  The 7 ft. big man from West Ranch loves shooting from top of the key and has potential to be a stretch threat.  He has a good looking stroke and a fast release for his size.  Gardner can play back to back, has a few moves including a turnaround jumper and does a good job of using the glass to finish inside.  Occasionally he will find himself handling the ball and has good ball control and will find a way to get his shot off.  On defense, he does a good job of keeping his hands up and contesting around the rim.  Gardner finished with 27 pts and 6 blocks against a very tough Canyon team that went 5 out on West Ranch.  He currently holds offers from Dayton, Indiana, Arizona St. Georgia, and Houston among others.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Alier Bech","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'8u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"77243","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Orangewood","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Alier Bech is a prospect who shows a lot of promise and potential.   He runs the floor with purpose and hustles rim to rim and knows where to be.  His standout skill right now is his innate shot blocking ability.  Bech does a good job contesting, moving his feet, and helps weak side around the rim.  He is a physical defender who possesses good length and is athletic.  Bech finished with 5 blocks including an impressive athletic 2 handed block against St. Monica Prep.  His weakness right now is his free throw shooting, which can be improved as he has a lot of physical attributes that will help him improve at the next level.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1630633"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"On Sunday Fairmont Prep played against SCA National in an extremely hyped matchup between Maker and the D1 bound Rams frontline.  Although he didn't have the most efficient day shooting the ball or scoring against Drew Fielder and Juslin Bodo, Maker showed why he is a D1 prospect.  The younger Maker brother is agile and does a great job of challenging and keeping his arms straight up around the rim.  He has the tools to be effective from outside as he showed a good stroke and range in warm ups.  He also displays a good handle for his size and has the potential to be able to push the ball and create for himself as well.  We will keep an eye on Maker and track his progression as he adjusts to the competition in Southern California.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1630644"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"In true Mater Dei sense, their reputation for developing big men continue.  Blake is the younger brother of Nick Davidson, who is now playing D1 at Nevada.  The 6'7u0022 2025 prospect shows a lot of skill and promise.  Davidson is very fundamental, sets good screens, and makes good reads on the roll and pop.  He displays good footwork when posting up, knows how to use the spin to finish at the rim, and also displays a hook shot.  His IQ and fundamentals are very impressive for a 2025 center.  He didn't shoot a lot of jumpers this weekend but has good form on his shot and shows the potential to be a stretch option if needed.  On defense, Davidson moves good laterally and does a good job of putting his arms straight up and contesting inside.  Like everyone on the Mater Dei roster, Davidson has a very high motor and his hustle is always on 100 percent.  Keep an eye on Davidson as he has improved a lot over the summer and looks unfazed by the spotlight.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /-->