West Coast Elite Beach Bash: Event standouts, Part 1
I braved Friday So-Cal rush hour traffic to head up The Map Sports Facility for the West Coast Elite Beach Bash. The two-day event showcased many of the WCE local teams, including a number of San Diego prospects I hadn’t…
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Continue ReadingI braved Friday So-Cal rush hour traffic to head up The Map Sports Facility for the West Coast Elite Beach Bash. The two-day event showcased many of the WCE local teams, including a number of San Diego prospects I hadn’t seen since high school season ended in March.
Although I was only able to attend a day, a number of standouts emerged. Here’s my first of two reports.
Tavid Lee Johnson, 6-1 2027 G, West Coast Elite 15u Gray
Johnson, who hasn’t played a high school game yet, continued his impressive spring with a solid outing in a blowout over Pacific Elite. His game can be best described as effortless: he plays at his own pace and smoothly shifts gears to get into the paint, where he can score off of two feet or find open teammates on the perimeter. He has grown significantly since last year’s Creme of the County, where he measured at 5-9. Johnson, who turns 14 this month, has a ton of upside and has to be considered one of the classes’ best prospects in Southern California.
Dominic Sellers, 5-9 2024 G, Team Echelon
The undersized, yet dynamic guard kept his team in two games with his ability to score in the paint through contact and passing ability. Sellers did an excellent job playing on balance and playing off of two feet in the paint, which allowed him to absorb contact and make some high degree-of-difficulty finishes. He’s not a great shooter from three, but knocked down pull-up jump shots from midrange. Additionally, he’s a physical perimeter defender who plays with a low center of gravity and makes opponents work to advance the ball.
Jaeden Robley, 6-5 2024 W, West Coast Elite 17u Elite
Robley has made a big leap athletically, and it’s taking his game to a different level. Primarily known for his catch-and-shoot ability, Robley had the highlight of the event, sweeping baseline and finishing with a power dunk off of one dribble. If he can consistently add this attack to his game, watch out. His improved athleticism has also allowed him to move much more fluidly on defense, sliding his feet quicker and staying in front of guards on the perimeter.
Kai Brown, 6-0 2024 G, West Coast Elite 17u Elite
In terms of athleticism and upside, Brown has more than almost any guard in his class locally He’s a prolific scorer and can get buckets from each level (excellent spot-up and pull-up jumper) and has an explosive first step off the catch. The next step in terms of his growth will be his playmaking off the drive, as he sometimes gets tunnel visioned when attacking the basket.
Isaiah Baker, 6-4 2023 G, California Select 17u
A three-sport star (leading receiver in football and CIF champion track and field), Baker showcased his diverse offensive and defensive game in a blowout win over Team Echelon. A sinewy lefty combo guard, Baker has improved his perimeter shooting and showed it off by hitting three 3s in the game. This complements his primary attack as a slasher, as he uses his elite athleticism and burst to get to the rim in the halfcourt and transition. Defensively, he’s got potential to be a lockdown guy on this end with continued reps against good competition (played at a D4 school in high school). If he focused on basketball at the JUCO level, he’s got some major upside.
Kai Jones, 6-0 2027 G, West Coast Elite 15u National
Jones is an intriguing incoming freshman guard who will team up with Johnson at Francis Parker, and he’s wired to score. The big-bodied lefty has a knack for getting into the paint, and has the girth to absorb contact and finish plays. He handles it well enough to initiate offense, but he’s better off the ball, where he moves well without the ball and attacks well off the bounce to his dominant hand.