Nor Cal Spring Showcase 2023 Standouts

<p>The Nor Cal Spring Showcase was held May 7, at Chabot College in Hayward. Some of the top players in the 2023 class were in competition at this event. Here’s our take on those who we thought stood out while we were there.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1115391" first="Jalen" last="Brown"] 6’4 2023 PG, SG of Alvarez HS, Lakeshow Fuca 17.</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Brown</strong> </em>is athletic with good speed and strength. He has tools that he hasn’t used yet. He has a good burst going to his left on his way to the basket. He has the strength, and hops to finish over the top at the basket with either hand. He had good balance and played well off two feet in the paint. He’s a solid ball handler comfortable attacking from different angles. He has a nice mid-range jumper.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1253126" first="Cabrayon" last="Odom"] 6’7 2023 PF of Antelope HS, YBA  Elite 17U.</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Odom’s</strong> </em>a bit leaner and stronger working in the post area. He had good activity working for rebounds and points in the paint. He has good presence on defense, he’s hard to get around, and can be physical. He’s hard to guard when he’s on balance, and going up strong in the post. He has a good touch in close </p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1266053" first="Mehki" last="Thomas"] 6’5 2024 W/SF of Dublin HS, Lakeshow Fuca 17.</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Thomas</strong> </em>plays at a good pace and excels in the open court game with space to use his athleticism and speed to get to where he wants to go. The dominate left hander has a quick burst to get by defenders off the dribble. He has good lift on his paint jumper. He looks stronger and gets up pretty good off two feet, which should improve his rebounding and scoring in the paint.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1381206" first="Nate" last="Keaney"] 6’0 2023 CG of Granada HS, Train First Black.</strong></em></p> <p>A good all-around guard with quality handles and decision making to properly run an offense. He plays at a good pace looking to attack when the opportunity presents itself. He has a good outside shot out to the 3point line, and can handle the contact on the drive to the basket. He’s a hard worker on the defensive side.  </p> <p><em><strong>Colin O’byrne 6’1 2023 CG of Athenian HS, Lakeshow 17 Gonzalez.</strong></em></p> <p>A crafty ball handler with good instinct, and passing skills, he can create his own shot as he roams the perimeter looking for back door cutters, and trying to beat his man off the dribble, using spin moves, and more. He’s always looking and pushing in transition. He has a nice mid-range jumper coming off screens, and using his dribble.</p> <p><em><strong>Jason Robertson 6’1 2023 SG of Pittsburg HS, Dream Sports Academy 17.</strong></em></p> <p>A solid combo with a good mid-range shot, he likes to take off the bounce. He’s a decent ball handler, and passes okay. He’s mostly looking to put points on the board. He has a set shot 3 he’ll take if he’s open. He’ll use his penetration dribble to get into the paint, and can finish through contact.  Good in transition. </p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1114850" first="Eric" last="Brown"] 6’7 2023 Forward of Archbishop Mitty HS, Lakeshow 17 Fuca.</strong></em></p> <p>Brown’s having a good spring and could be ready for a breakout summer. He’s a long prospect with a good basketball IQ, and skill set. He’s an effective post player but he has a good game away from the basket. His length and savvy will get him points in the paint. He has good face up moves, he can hit the elbow, and paint jumpers. He runs the court filling lanes and finishing with dunks. He has the range to hit the 3-pt shot. </p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1380759" first="Elijah" last="Mobley"] 6’2 2023 guard of Weston Ranch HS, Lakeshow 17 Fuca.</strong></em></p> <p>A threat on both ends of the court. The fast and athletic Mobley is in attack mode from every angle on the court. At this event we saw him use hard dribbles to the left going baseline to finish with a floater, he can readily use his dribble to attack the paint to finish through contact or pull up for paint jumpers. He’s a blur in the open court.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>