The Classic at Damien (Best Prospects)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Classic at Damien (Best Prospects)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LA VERNE, Ca.--The Classic at Damien continued to show it's the ultimate holiday tournament on the West Coast due to its plethora of quality teams and stellar players, led by Tournament MVP [player_tooltip player_id='1630617' first='Brayden' last='Burries'] of Roosevelt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the following days, there will be numerous breakdowns of prospects ranging from High-Major Division 1 talents to junior college prospects under a bevy of categories. There was a host of elite prospects and it wasn't easy to narrow the list, but here we go. These types of players have what we like to refer to in the scouting world as possessing "upside". The potential is evident whether they need strength, skill, or production improvements. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2131779' first='Brandon' last='McCoy'] Jr (St. John Bosco)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026, CG, 6-foot-5, 175 pounds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Joel's Take:</strong>&nbsp;It could be argued that McCoy, albeit a sophomore, was the best prospect in the entire of event. His combination of athleticism, length, and budding skill is in the realm of "off the charts". His 1st step is quick as a cat and he can elevate with the best of them. He can stop on a dime in the key, reverse spin and hit the Kobe-esque follow-away jump shot. In transition, he never over-handles the ball and always kicks it ahead to an open teammate. I would like to see him be much more assertive, but he's on an ultra-talented team and the opportunities are not always at his fingertips. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1502766' first='Carter' last='Bryant'] (Corona Centennial)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024, WF, 6-foot-8, 215 pounds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Joel's take:</strong> Bryant always leaves you wanting more. The size, skill, and overall talent are evident. He can convert at all three levels and his overall "touch" is noticeable. He can deliver the nifty assist in transition, knock down a jump shot, or dunk over the completion. He's reminiscent of Paul George in high school where the "grit" and "playing through contact" were not always there. However, then Bryant where will have one of those sequences where he checks off all the boxes in the skill department. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1555179' first='Darius' last='Wabbington'] (Sunnyslope,AZ)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027, 6-foot-9, 220 pounds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Joel's take</strong>: Let's just get this out of the way while we are at it--this young pup is similar to Brook Lopez while he was in high school. He is big-bodied youngster who has skill and savvy way beyond his years He exhibits a soft touch out to the 3-point stripe and his stroke is effortless. In addition, he'll bang on the inside where he'll set a screen and roll or slide into a pick-and-pop set. He's quick around the rim and can finish over either shoulder and his passing shows his basketball IQ. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chamberlain Burgess (Lone Peak, UT)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025, PF, 6-foot-9, 200 pounds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Joel's take:</strong> Burgess is a willowy 4-man with a solid shooting stroke and he runs like a deer in transition. He is very slight of frame, but he has length and he's bouncy. His motor in the paint area is impressive and fills the lane in transition for the finish. He'll need to bulk up and continue to improve his inside-out skills, but this kid is reminiscent of a young Keith Van Horn (Utah Utes/NBA ). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1956464' first='Tajh' last='Ariza'] (St. Bernard)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026, WF, 6-foot-7, 180 pounds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Joel's Take</strong>: You know you've been in this business when you start seeing the son's of former NBA players that you scouted while they were in high school. I watched Trevor Ariza (former NBA standout) while he dominated Los Angeles playing for perennial power, the Westchester Comets. Trevor's son Tajh has similar traits and physical abilities as his father. The sinewy wing-type can lead the break, slither his way to the rim, or pop in the 3-point shot. It's all there for him if he continues to hone his craft. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->