NorCal Spring Notebook II: Trending Up Wing/Forward

The past 4 weekends, PH NorCal has been in the gym at various locations throughout Northern California, and SoCal. We've compiled a list of NorCal Prospects, Standouts, and Newcomers who are playing well, and are trending up with their play on the court this Spring.   April 10-12: The Elite Spring Challenge at Open Gym Premier in Oakland, CA April 17-19: Adidas 3stripe Gold Western Regionals, at Open Gym Premiere, Oakland, CA April 24-26: 3SSB Boys Session I at Open Gym Premiere, Ladera Ranch, CA SoCal May 1-2: The City Championships, at SF City College San Francisco, CA.   [player_tooltip player_id='2724603' first='Michael' last='Travis']: He has what they call a motor. He goes all out from the beginning. He's still sharpening, and polishing his overall skill set, will make some mistakes but no player has played with as much energy as Travis has this Spring. He's a defender of multiple positions, he races up the court both ways, for a transition layup or to make a defensive play. He's an active rebounder, improving passer. He can effect the game without scoring. His point production will rise as he continues to improve his handles and shooting.   [player_tooltip player_id='2517136' first='Kaevon' last='Simmons']: This could be the season for Simmons, going into his Senior season. He's playing good basketball in the Spring. He's strong, plays with a bit of a chip on his shoulder, with good movement working his way in and around the paint area getting offensive rebounds, and putback points. He can handle the contact in the paint, and hold his own defending bigger players.   [player_tooltip player_id='2450104' first='Jack' last='Loevner']: Peninsula Gold 17u UA Rise: He's listed as a 6'5 guard, but probably more of a wing/forward, though he does handle the ball often, makes good decisions, which makes him a versatile player. He's an alert player with good ball handling and vision, always looking to make a play, a ball mover. He can create, weave his way into the paint, help rebound, takes it back up in traffic to convert. He'll roam, or spot up around the perimeter looking to knock down 3's, on the catch with a good release.   [player_tooltip player_id='3357253' first='Tre' last='Simmons']: Lakeshow 16 3SSB: Standing 6'5 he's showing a versatile skill set. He's upgraded his overall play against quality competition, showing a more balanced approach. He's creating off the dribble, making good use of his body attacking the basket from different angles, he's converting. He's a triple threat from the high post with his vision, and excellent passing finding open players, cutting. His field goal percentages are up, he's taking and making his shots. He's solid on the board, can score and defend in the post.   [player_tooltip player_id='3631811' first='Tyler' last='McCabe']: Jaylen Wells 17U. He's a rising newcomer we don't see often. He has good activity and movement on defense. He hauled in 7.3 rebounds on his high school team. He makes strong outlet passes, sprints with good strides to fill lanes for transition buckets, or follow ups. He works well from the high post, as a passer, and screener, he slides down to the low block making himself a target using jump hooks, and turnaround jumpers (9.8ppg). He has active feet, lateral movement, can switch out on defense, change some shots. We'll see more.   [player_tooltip player_id='2836480' first='Ibrahim' last='Karabala']: NBBA Delta Power 32: He's a undersized forward with good fundamentals working in and around the basket. He shows patience, and footwork getting his shots off inside. A good passer from the high post, he'll face up from the elbow use two dribbles, plant, pull up for paint jumpers, or take it to the rim. He's good rebounder, has decent strength willing to mix it up inside.   [player_tooltip player_id='2484283' first='Semaj' last='Bluford']: NBBA 16U UA: He's steadily adding pieces to his overall game. Standing around 6'4, strong with a solid body he's still learning how to use to his advantage. He's an active rebounder at the 16U level, gets his fair share of rebounds for putback points taking it up strong in traffic. He'll slash, and cut for buckets. He's using his dribble more often along the baseline, and the high post to attack the basket. He's developed a soft touch on the short jumper. He's a good passer.   [player_tooltip player_id='3631986' first='Landon' last='Odom']: Triple Threat Athletics 16U: An alert defender, has movement and awareness on the defensive side of the ball, tries to keep everything in front of him, works mostly in the paint at the 16U level. He boxes out, gets out on corner shooters. He'll still sharpening his offensive skill set. He'll go from low to high post, cut to the basket, and work the low block, from side to side. He can be a target, will turn and take up strong off two feet. He averaged almost 5 rebounds a game. He showed he can rebound, and get the ball up court fast with his dribble.

The past 4 weekends, PH NorCal has been in the gym at various locations throughout Northern California, and SoCal. We've compiled a list of NorCal Prospects, Standouts, and Newcomers who are playing well, and are trending up with their play on the court this Spring.