No Excuse Just Produce Classic Top Performers Pt. II

Desman Botts; Mayfair 2024

David Yapkowitz

January 17, 2023 @ 10:25 PM

On Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday weekend, King/Drew High School played host to the first No Excuse Just Produce Classic presented by the world-famous Drew League. The event was held on Saturday, Jan. 14 and Monday Jan. 16. I was able to attend the event on Saturday Jan. 14. That day featured a few local LA-area schools and consisted of three games between LA Jordan/Fremont, Mayfair/Esperanza, and King Drew/LB Jordan. Here's a look at some additional standouts I saw. 1. [player_tooltip player_id='1502880' first='Desman' last='Botts'] - Mayfair 2024 Botts was the Player of the Game in Mayfair's matchup against Esperanza. He scored with ease on the wing and was comfortable handling the ball making plays. He showed the ability to post against smaller defenders and elevate over them with a turnaround jumper. His handles were solid and he can attack the basket and draws fouls getting to the free-throw line. He can knock down three-point shots consistently and shoots face-up jumpers. Solid rebounder following missed shots. 2. Darryl Gates - Fremont 2026 Gates was impressive for his energy and activity on the defensive end. I don't remember seeing him score but he sure showed his impact on the other end of the court. He's athletic and like a pogo stick, bouncy and challenging shots at the basket. He isn't the biggest or tallest player out there but he gives effort and it works. He protected the paint at times against bigger players. He has quick hands defensively and plays good on-ball defense. 3. Donald Thompson - King/Drew 2025 Thompson is a scorer and he makes it look so effortlessly. I first saw him play over the summer and he's looked improved as a ball-handler and being able to create his own shot. He's got a little crossover that he hits defenders with and dribbles into a jumper. He can shoot from three-point range and knocked down off the dribble threes. He can attack the basket and does a good job finishing through traffic, extending with his length. Nice step through moves in the lane. 4. Dennis Redmond - LB Jordan 2023 Redmond is a solid finisher at the basket. He can shoot the little floater or he can absorb the contact and still finish strong. He can handle the ball and has a nice crossover. Consistent elbow jumper. He can shoot from three-point range and has a quick release, able to shoot with the defense rushing at him. Comfortable taking the jumper off the dribble. He has some playmaking too, able to dump off passes to teammates around the basket or drive and kick.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday weekend, King/Drew High School played host to the first No Excuse Just Produce Classic presented by the world-famous Drew League. The event was held on Saturday, Jan. 14 and Monday Jan. 16. I was able to attend the event on Saturday Jan. 14. That day featured a few local LA-area schools and consisted of three games between LA Jordan/Fremont, Mayfair/Esperanza, and King Drew/LB Jordan. Here's a look at some additional standouts I saw.

1. Desman Botts Desman Botts 6'4" | SF Mayfair | 2024 State CA-S - Mayfair 2024

Botts was the Player of the Game in Mayfair's matchup against Esperanza. He scored with ease on the wing and was comfortable handling the ball making plays. He showed the ability to post against smaller defenders and elevate over them with a turnaround jumper. His handles were solid and he can attack the basket and draws fouls getting to the free-throw line. He can knock down three-point shots consistently and shoots face-up jumpers. Solid rebounder following missed shots.

2. Darryl Gates - Fremont 2026

Gates was impressive for his energy and activity on the defensive end. I don't remember seeing him score but he sure showed his impact on the other end of the court. He's athletic and like a pogo stick, bouncy and challenging shots at the basket. He isn't the biggest or tallest player out there but he gives effort and it works. He protected the paint at times against bigger players. He has quick hands defensively and plays good on-ball defense.

3. Donald Thompson - King/Drew 2025

Thompson is a scorer and he makes it look so effortlessly. I first saw him play over the summer and he's looked improved as a ball-handler and being able to create his own shot. He's got a little crossover that he hits defenders with and dribbles into a jumper. He can shoot from three-point range and knocked down off the dribble threes. He can attack the basket and does a good job finishing through traffic, extending with his length. Nice step through moves in the lane.

4. Dennis Redmond - LB Jordan 2023

Redmond is a solid finisher at the basket. He can shoot the little floater or he can absorb the contact and still finish strong. He can handle the ball and has a nice crossover. Consistent elbow jumper. He can shoot from three-point range and has a quick release, able to shoot with the defense rushing at him. Comfortable taking the jumper off the dribble. He has some playmaking too, able to dump off passes to teammates around the basket or drive and kick.