Yellow Jackets Fall Ball Classic: Day 1 Standouts

<p>PH was in Sacramento for Day 1 of the Yellow Jackets Fall Ball Classic featuring high school teams from all areas of NorCal. PH only saw players at the main site El Camino High School. While there were plenty of outstanding players competing at surrounding gyms. </p> <p><em><strong>Matt Hoffman 6’3 SG of Rio Americano HS (American River Raiders) 2022</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Hoffman</strong> </em>had 2 solid games as he showed an all-round good feel for the game leading his team in the scoring department. The thick guard plays with good strength and balance. He’s aggressive getting into the paint for finishes. He hit several 3-pointers. He was the main ball handler down the stretch showing decent handles under pressure.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1124083" first="Kevin" last="Haupt Jr"] CG of Oakmont HS (YBA North Roseville) 2024</strong></em></p> <p>A rising<em><strong> Haupt Jr</strong></em> had a strong 2 games leading his team to 2 impressive victories. He’s in complete control, and has multiple ways of contributing. He’s a lead guard with superb point guard skills. He has the vision, and passing skills to find teammates. He can get his shot off when he wants to, up close, mid-range or from 3.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1119270" first="Tyler" last="Thompson"] 6’4 SG/W of Vanden HS (Family First) 2024</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Thompson</strong> </em>c/o 2024 played well in the one game we saw. He looks like he’s settling into being a steady player at the wing/ shooting guard position for this team. He knocked down 3’s in rhythm. He finished drives off the dribble, and ran the court pretty well. He made good plays on the defensive side of the ball. </p> <p><em><strong>Troy Crighton 5’10 CG of Sheldon HS (Big Dawgs) 2022</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Crighton</strong> </em>is just another piece to the puzzle of a reloading team. He plays well in the open court using his strength, and good body control to complete shots. He plays at a good pace, making good decisions on the court. An excellent passer with a good jump shot.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1253099" first="Jacob" last="Olson"] 6’3 Guard of Oak Ridge HS (Trojans Basketball Club) 2023</strong></em></p> <p>We got another up close look at <em><strong>Olson</strong></em>. He’s a hard nosed guard that can handle the pressure. We saw him handle the ball up top, while being pressured bringing it up. He’s a good passing guard, as well as a knock down shooter with range. He surprised us with his rebounding, and he plays tough defense. </p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1115392" first="Jake" last="Skaggs"] 6’6 W/F of Los Altos HS (South Bay Snipers) 2022</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Skaggs</strong> </em>a long slender player showed he could hold his own against quality competition. He’s long enough to get a good number of rebounds. He handles well in transition with good look ahead passing, and he’ll slash and cut to the rim for finishes around the hoop. He has a fairly good shot from 3. He played two good games. </p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="766846" first="Julian" last="Naibose"] 6’6 W/F of Oakmont HS. (YBA North Roseville) 2022</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Niabose</strong></em>, one of the more bouncy athletic players we saw on day 1. He’s a slasher, a court runner who can get to the rim with finishes in a variety of ways including dunks. He’s active on the defensive side with good quickness, and recovery. He guards out on the perimeter, and in the post. He has good length, a quick 2nd jump for put backs. He’ll rebound, and push with solid passing.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1254880" first="Devon" last="Hayes"] 5’6 G of Sheldon HS (Big Dawgs) 2022</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Hayes</strong> </em>made it look easy on day 1 as he gave a clinic on finding open teammates all over the court. If we’re keeping stats it’s possible he would be the leader in this category. He seemed to enjoy the role of finding teammates, with no look, pinpoint passing. He still knocked down open shots as The Big Dawgs cruised on day 1.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="950893" first="Kiku" last="Parker"] 5’9 CG of El Camino HS (1440 EMC)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Parker</strong> </em>turned it up a notch in game two showing a well balanced game of passing and scoring, while involving teammates in an up tempo style of play. The muscular guard was determined to make his presence felt with good strong balanced moves getting his shot off and challenging defenders inside to go along with a few 3-pointers in the night cap. He had close to 30 in game two</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>