Skills Summit: Underclassmen On The Radar

LA HABRA, Calif. — The 7th installment of the Hoops By Ugland Skills Summit brought together 117 players from across Southern California for a competitive one-day event at Sonora high school. The prospects spanned the classes of 2027 through 2031 and ranged from surefire Division 1 caliber recruits to those looking to put their name on the radar. Below we break down the sophomores and incoming freshmen who jumped on our radar.    Wang is a quick and shifty point guard whose explosive burst of speed and lightning-quick first step allowed him to earn paint touches throughout the event. On those paint touches, the 5-foot-5 point guard showed the ability to score with craftiness and savvy around the rim or create an opportunity for a teammate with the pass. Wang brought great energy and effort to the event.     Moutinho, just an incoming freshman, impressed with his scoring ability. His feel for the game led to him getting his shots within the flow of the offense and he knocked down his catch-and-shoot opportunities with consistency. Moutinho has fluid and fundamental shooting mechanics, deep range on his three-point shot and a frame that has us intrigued about his long-term potential.     Shepherd flashed a combination of versatility, production and a high motor that made him stand out among the underclass prospects at this event. Shepherd was effective in multiple offensive scenarios from catch-and-shoot threes to transition slashing and finishing to buckets and assists out of the post. The 6-foot-4 wing showed impressive basketball IQ with his off-ball movement and spacing.     Paquin stood out with his blend of speed, athleticism and willingness to play physically on both ends of the floor. The 6-foot point guard mixed floor general qualities with his knack for scoring through contact and drives which led to a good balance of scoring and playmaking for teammates. Defensively, Paquin used his strength and lateral athleticism to really pressure the ball and was a disruptor on that end of the floor.     Bond's combination of fluid athleticism, length and inside-out offensive skill-set makes him one of the more intriguing long-term prospects in SoCal's 2030 class. Bond was draining catch-and-shoot threes, attacking the rim with confidence in transition, crashing the offensive glass and scored on transition lane-fills and rim-runs. His versatile offensive package bodes well for his development.

LA HABRA, Calif. — The 7th installment of the Hoops By Ugland Skills Summit brought together 117 players from across Southern California for a competitive one-day event at Sonora high school. The prospects spanned the classes of 2027 through 2031 and ranged from surefire Division 1 caliber recruits to those looking to put their name on the radar. Below we break down the sophomores and incoming freshmen who jumped on our radar.