SoCal Fall Prep Classic: Combo Guards

<p>ORANGE — Gerry Freitas and Santiago Canyon College played host to one of the biggest fall high school basketball events in the West over the weekend. The SoCal Fall Prep Classic featured top high school and prep school programs and prospects from Southern and Northern California, Arizona, Utah and Washington. Below we detail the best combo guards we watched.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2750216' first='Devin' last='Mitchell'] | 2028 | Etiwanda</h4>   <p>Mitchell is one of the more physical and athletic guards in Southern California regardless of class and that combination of strength and explosiveness led to him being one of the better paint finishers at the guard spot in this event. At 6-feet-3 with a sturdily-built frame, the sophomore seeks out contact and bullies his way through guards or bigs to finish off his paint touches. Mitchell also showed touch on his mid-range jumper.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2435386' first='Hunter' last='Caplan'] | 2027 | Crean Lutheran</h4>   <p>Caplan is one of the better pure shooters in the state and his ability to knock down perimeter jumpers consistently in a wide variety of ways is what makes him one of our top 10 prospects in SoCal's 2027 class. The 6-foot-3 junior is a jump shooting threat from three-point and mid-range off the catch and off the bounce but also impacts the game as an off-ball mover who sprints into balanced shots. The combo guard tag comes in for Caplan with his improved playmaking, ball handling and decision-maker with the ball in his hands.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1546975' first='Javon' last='Bardwell'] | 2027 | Phhoenix Prep OTE (AZ)</h4>   <p>Bardwell proved to be one of the more athletic and talent-rich prospect in this event. The wiry 6-foot-7 junior flashed his fluid transition athleticism, quick twitch reaction time in half-court offense and a pogo-stick like vertical leaping ability that few other players could keep up with. Bardwell filled up the scoring column in a variety of ways from isolation jumpers and takes to the rim to transition finishes above the rim and rips and drives to the cup.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2858723' first='Jaylen' last='Smith'] | 2027 | Amador Valley</h4>   <p>Smith has emerged as one of the better scoring guards in the state's 2027 class and that was on full display in this event. The 6-foot-1 junior is an elite shot creator and perimeter shot-maker whose shooting form is textbook, repeatable and balanced and his elevation allows him to rise and shoot over the top of defenders. Some would categorize Smith as a "tough shot maker" but while some of the looks he takes may be tough for others, they are well within his capabilities. Smith's high level of self-confidence makes him a dangerous offensive weapon.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2137372' first='Josiah' last='Johnson'] | 2026 | Mayfair</h4>   <p>After being a relatively unknown prospect as a freshman, sophomore and junior, Johnson has became one of the most sought after recruits out west over the summer and his game speaks for itself. The 6-foot-3 combo guard is one of the most explosive players in the class and, when you add in his college-ready frame and relentless attacking mentality, you get a lethal transition scoring threat. Johnson's speed, physicality and vertical athleticism forces defenses into retreat mode and his ability to cover ground leads to his efficient finishing ability.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Lincoln Holcombe | 2026 | Timpview (UT)</h4>   <p>Holcombe initially stood out due to his hard-nosed approach on the defensive end. The 6-foot senior was relentless in applying ball-pressure for all 94-feet of the floor and his quick hands and lateral speed led to him turning offensive players multiple times before half-court. Offensively, Holcombe is capable of being a primary or secondary ball handler who uses his quick burst of speed to get into the lane for crafty finishes or smart drive and kick passes.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2212733' first='Siincere' last='Hudson'] | 2027 | Modesto Christian</h4>   <p>Hudson made his mark in this event with his ability to use his physical tools to power his way through contact and finish transition opportunities at the rim. The 6-foot-1 junior looked comfortable with his new team after transferring from Inderkum and took advantage of any open court opportunity by punching a lane, getting into the body of a defender and finishing through that contact.</p>

ORANGE — Gerry Freitas and Santiago Canyon College played host to one of the biggest fall high school basketball events in the West over the weekend. The SoCal Fall Prep Classic featured top high school and prep school programs and prospects from Southern and Northern California, Arizona, Utah and Washington. Below we detail the best combo guards we watched.