Showcase By The Beach – Top unsigned 2021 prospects

The three-day Showcase By the Beach, hosted by the Cali Rebels, Cali Stars and Gamepoint basketball clubs, was an excellent tune-up event before the start of the July evaluation period season. There were a number of players who stood out for various reasons. In this report, we talk about some of the top unsigned 2021 prospects, including a few that are weighing jumps to the 2022 class. 

Top 2021 prospects

Devean Williams, 6-3 G, Fastbreak Sports 

Williams is a “scorer deluxe” and one of the top shooters in the gym. The lefty can fill it up from three levels in a hurry and is an effortless athlete, finishing halfcourt and transition drives above the rim. Defensively, when he dials in and gives an effort, he is solid on the ball, but consistency of effort is the next step for him.

Maxwell Lewis, 6-7 G, Dream Vision

All eyes are on Lewis when he walks in the gym, and for good reason. He has the length, athleticism and skill set that project to the next level and beyond for a wing. In the one game vs Fastbreak, Lewis showed the perimeter shooting, slashing and explosive finishes around the basket that make him arguably the most sought after unsigned prospect on the West Coast. 

Scotty Washington Scotty Washington 6'4" | SG St. John Bosco | 2021 State #223 Nation CA-S , 6-5 G, Dream Vision

Washington, who just graduated from St. John Bosco, is weighing reclassifying to 2022. If he does, he will definitely attract a crowd of MM+ to HM schools. His combination of length, feel, scoring ability and lockdown defense all translate to the next level. 

CJ Hardy, 6-2 G, Elev8

Hardy put together several of the best scoring performances in the gym all weekend, including a 50-point effort in a win over the Cali Rebels. The wiry (he’s maybe 160 pounds) scorer has excellent burst, and is a crafty finisher around the basket. He’s a bit streaky from three, but when he hits one, they come in bunches. A candidate for JUCO or reclassification, Hardy must get stronger to prepare for the rigors of college hoops.

Denim Dawson Denim Dawson 6'5" | SF Orange Lutheran | 2021 State CA-S , 6-5 W, Cali Stars 

There are only a handful of athletes who possess the vertical athleticism of Dawson, a wiry wing type who recently graduated from Orange Lutheran. To call him explosive would be a gross understatement. But beyond the electric finishes in transition, Dawson is improving his ball skills, perimeter shooting and handle at a nice rate. Reclassifying to play with Southern California Academy, he will be a MM to HM target if he continues to put it together. 

Marcus Green Marcus Green 6'4" | PF Etiwanda | 2021 State CA-S , 6-3 G, Prodigy Elite

How Green has gone unsigned is beyond me. He’s probably the one person in the gym who can match - or best - Dawson’s athleticism. He explodes off the ground and finishes above the rim in traffic. But his game is much more than just his athleticism. He can score from all three levels (really proficient three-point shooter off the catch) and defensively, he’s one of the best on-ball defenders in the gym. D1s looking to make a high-impact late signing should look no further. 

Corey Cofield, 6-5 W, Cali Stars

Cofield is a jack of all trades, giving his team a little bit of everything, but his best attribute is his motor. He is a tremendous offensive rebounder and gets a lot of his offense from second-chance baskets, dives after loose balls and defends the wing at a high level. Cofield is also a capable midrange shooter. Defensively, he is solid both on the ball and playing the passing lanes to set up transition baskets, where he can finish above the rim. 

Uriyah Rojas Uriyah Rojas 6'1" | PG Los Osos | 2021 State CA-S , 6-3 G, Prodigy Elite

Rojas, a cat-quick combo guard, is the definition of a bucket getter. He scores it from all three levels, including from three, where he has improved his shooting off the catch. In ball screen action, he uses his threat to drive to set up scoring opportunities for his teammates with solid lift passes and kicks to the strong-side corner. He’s headed to junior college, but make no mistake that Rojas is a D1 guard.