Fortuna’s Hoops Combine and Showcase: Top 2027 Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I held my second Combine and Showcase on Saturday at Coronado High School, featuring a great mix of talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players came from Liberty, Democracy Prep, SLAM, Las Vegas, Basic Academy, Canyon Springs, Legacy, Bishop Gorman, Pinecrest Sloan Canyon, Damonte Ranch, CIVICA Academy, Mojave, Rancho, Foothill, Coronado, Silverado, and SECTA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I couldn't have done it without the help of coaches Lee Ward (Las Vegas), Devin Matthews (Durango), Brandon Clark (Pinecrest Sloan Canyon), and Coach Sampaio (Foothill). We were also fortunate to have coaches from CSN and Antelope Valley College in attendance to scout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this article, I feature five of the top juniors who were in attendance. Each of them impressed with their skill and athleticism throughout the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1965124"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69dd52ed78985"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1965124' first='Jayvion' last='Wall'] proved why he's one of the top scorers in the state on Saturday, dropping a Showcase-high 20 points. He constantly uses his instincts, burst, and touch to make shots. If he sees a lane, he takes it, and there's not much defenders can do to slow him down. You also have to respect him beyond the arc, where he can do damage in a hurry. His efforts paid dividends, as he was named one of the MVPs of the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Selected To All Star Game </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1945840"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69dd52ed78a4a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1945840' first='Ien' last='Kirkland'] went on a tear at the Combine and Showcase. He was lighting it up from long range, and it looks like an area where he can potentially start pulling the trigger more. Based on his mechanics and performances. He also soared through traffic and sent home an eye popping dunk. Putting his vertical to use. His top offensive output was 16 points. Kirkland was also utilizing his length on defense (80 inch wingspan). Helping him also earn MVP Honors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Selected to All Star Game </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2892747"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69dd52ed78a01"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2892747' first='Grant' last='Thorson'] made the trip down from Reno to attend the Combine and Showcase, and he left his mark by putting his versatility on full display. He was pouring it in from just about everywhere and scored in a very efficient manner. Thorson also stood out as one of the taller prospects at the event at 6'5". With his height and accuracy, he's certainly a 2027 colleges may want to start taking a closer look at.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Selected To All Star game </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2883873"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69dd52ed78a8f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There was a lot to like from [player_tooltip player_id='2883873' first='Julio' last='Rivera'] on Saturday, especially on the offensive end. He was a swiss army knife out there, facilitating the offense, splashing in shots of his own, and playing with a strong level of control. I was a big fan of how assertive he was with the rock, regularly making smart decisions. Rivera also brings intriguing physical tools, including a 78-inch wingspan and defensively he got after it. Diving on the the floor at least once (evidence that he's more than willing to do the dirty work). Considering his well-rounded game, he appears ready to make even more noise over the next few months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Selected To All Star Game </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2640646"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69dd52ed78b14"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2640646' first='Cameron' last='Martin'] was a sniper for the “Dogs” at the Combine and Showcase. He was letting it fly with a ton of confidence, and his form stayed incredibly consistent throughout. That translated to results, as he reached the finals of the 3-point competition. He finished with a game-high 13 points, giving his team a strong jolt of momentum with every triple he knocked down. Martin also showed the ability to space the floor and make defenses pay for helping off of him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Selected to All Star game</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2694452"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69dd52ed78b52"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2920445' first='Haneef' last='Bahar'] Jr. cooked defenders with his speed and change of direction skills routinely. He has a gear that not all defenders have, and he even took a pair of ankles on one of his crossovers. He also used his coordination to convert tough finishes around the rim, and I liked how he attacks with purpose. On the other end of the court, he was flying around and applying good ball pressure, making his man uncomfortable often. With his quickness and ability to impact the game on both ends, he's the type of guard that can consistently put pressure on defenses and switch up the momentum of a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Selected to All-Star game</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} /-->