Session I: Team Lillard 15U Goes 4-0

Ladera Ranch CA. Session I of the Adidas 3SSB at Open Gym Premiere in SoCal is in the books. Team Lillard 15U goes 4-0. The 9 players on the roster are ranked in the PH NorCal Top 30, 2029 Class Rankings. All the prospects were Varsity contributors, some were starters, they all were productive as first year varsity players.   [player_tooltip player_id='2952263' first='Marcus' last='Harris']: Standing 6'5 showed a versatile style of play at the 15U level, though most of productivity was in and around the paint, hauling in offensive rebounds using quick jumps, gathering himself, then powering back up in traffic to convert. He's a go to guy in the paint, a target hand, wants the ball turning taking it up strong, he's got some touch to hit paint jumpers. In 4 games he averaged 11.5 points, 6 rebounds. He had a breakout game with 23 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks. He'll run the court to fill lanes, or trail for a 3ptr. He's better than expected ball handler can create his shots off the dribble. He spots up in the corners, can hit the 3.   [player_tooltip player_id='2952296' first='CJ' last='Ani']: We'll put him in the combo guard category for now, showing good skills for both guard positions. A good ball handler, has vision to pass it up, and around the perimeter. He showed speed pushing and looking going up court. He didn't panick or get sped up under pressure, kept his dribble live split the defense on a few occasions. He's a settled player, calm with a touch of smoothness making his moves off the dribble, getting into his mid-range jump shot, dropping a 3-pointer squaring up along the perimeter, and rhythm 3 in transition. He averaged 16 points, 3 assists, almost 3-3's in 4 games.   [player_tooltip player_id='2952322' first='Isaiah' last='Dotson']: Energy and effort on both side of the ball. A long arm defender, has speed and movement to defend in full court, length and lateral movement defending shooters, sticking close making them work for shots. A 6'3 rebounding guard, good passer sees the court, can and will push in transition. He's a scoring threat along the perimeter, quality handles, quick dribble moves, crossovers and a burst, often attacking straight or weaving his way to the basket avoiding charges, challenging shot blockers.   [player_tooltip player_id='2877955' first='Marcus' last='Miller']: He's in the early stages of developing, sharpening his skill set, a bit raw, but has a good upside to his game. He was brought up to the varsity after 10 games. He's 6'7 long, looks strong, runs and moves around the court in a good way. He's an active rebounder on both ends. Some of his points comes with effort offensive rebounding. He shot open corner 3's, spent some time at the high post as a passer, screener, used a dribble or two attacking. 7.3pts, 5.8R. He hauled in 10 rebounds, made a 3ptr on Saturday. Defends his size, and position. We'll see more.   [player_tooltip player_id='2819957' first='Ryan' last='Ferraioli']: He's probably one of the better spot up shooters in this group. He's worked to be more than a shooter, he's an improving ball handler, with footspeed, sharpening moves, and footwork to create his shots off the dribble, getting into the paint for shots over bigs. High off the glass layups, floaters, and fade away jumpers in the paint. Make no mistake he can drop 3's from all the right spots, using screens, movement without the ball, and coming down the court.   [player_tooltip player_id='2952326' first='Will' last='Farrington']: He has good footspeed running the court for transition baskets, dunks and layups. He has a versatile streak, can slash and cut his way through the paint, doesn't post up a lot but can use his size for paint points. He'll get stronger as he makes the effort to get rebounds on both sides, he got a couple of putbacks for points. He seems most comfortable spotting up around the perimeters, setting up in the corners, and trailing to get 3-point shot attempts. Standing 6'7 he has plenty of room to grow and develop his overall game on both ends of the court.   [player_tooltip player_id='2952324' first='Davion' last='Berry']: He's an emerging point guard, quality handles, sees the court, has speed to push fast up court. He seems to be a pass first type, makes the effort to run the offense, moves the ball around the perimeter, makes the extra pass. He'll look to feed the post. He has that burst to get into the paint for dishes, and dump offs or kick it out to a shooter. His on ball defense can be disruptive. We'll see more.   [player_tooltip player_id='3570383' first='Julian' last='Zaragoza']: A 6'9 Freshman, has a solid body will get stronger. He has good movement and awareness on defense. His wingspan gets him out to the perimeter to disturb 3-point shooters playing forward. He drops down for low post help, he has post presence on the defensive side to looking to disrupt shots in the paint. He hustles up court, runs to the rim. Not a lot of post ups, mostly screens, and cuts through the lanes. He set in the corners shot ready.   [player_tooltip player_id='2952629' first='Jaden' last='Hector']: A wiry prospect plays mostly out on the perimeter. He could be a big guard, handles a lot up top on his high school team. He has the ability to create his shot opportunities off the dribble, needs to get stronger to handle the bumps on drives to the basket. He has length and footspeed, makes the effort fill lanes in transition, might dunk it. He had a couple takes along the baseline. He has some tools that allows him to defend multiple positions. He'll rebound and go. He's got size and an improving skill set, will continue to grow his game.

Ladera Ranch CA. Session I of the Adidas 3SSB at Open Gym Premiere in SoCal is in the books. Team Lillard 15U goes 4-0. The 9 players on the roster are ranked in the PH NorCal Top 30, 2029 Class Rankings. All the prospects were Varsity contributors, some were starters, they all were productive as first year varsity players.