Ryse Williams Pac Shores: Breakout 2020/2021 Prospects
The 66th annual Ryse Williams Pacific Shores tournament is consistently one of the best first-week events in all of the western United States.
Redondo Union played host to many of Southern California’s best high school basketball teams, which, in turn, brought out many of the area’s top prospects.
Players the likes of UCLA-bound wing Jules Bernard, high-powered scoring guard Devonaire Doutrive and talented sophomore shooting guard Joshua Christopher were on hand throughout the four day, 16-team tournament, but these five sophomores and freshmen turned in breakout performances.
Breakout 2020/2021s
Marcus Joseph, 2020, Windward
Joseph, who doubles as a football player for the Wildcats, is a big-bodied forward/center at 6-4 and a good 260 pounds, but that size doesn’t hurt his agility. The sophomore is light on his feet, has great hands and a throwback feel in the paint. He knows how to use his body to keep defenders on his back when posting up or blocking out and can finish around the basket with either hand.
Amir Kirkwood, 2020, Gahr
Kirkwood is a quick-twitch athlete at 6-feet tall and 160 pounds. The sophomore can operate both on and off the ball, but is best when attacking the basket in transition or off the wing in half court situations. Kirkwood can stretch the floor to the 3-point line and displayed good focus and energy on the defensive end.
Gahr sophomore Amir Kirkwood displayed an impressive two-way skill set at Pac Shores.Darius McClain, 2021, Serra
McClain is a lightning-quick and shifty off-guard who can score in a variety of ways. The 6-foot freshman has a wiry frame, blurring blow-by speed and the ability to change direction in tight quarters without losing speed or balance. McClain is a crafty finisher around the basket and can knock down he open catch-and-shoot 3-pointer. One of the most intriguing aspects of his game is he’s unafraid of the moment.
Ky-mani Pollard, 2020, Westchester
Pollard has a lot of polish as a floor general which comes as no surprise due to the fact that he plays for Westchester and comes off the bench behind guys like Jeremiah Turley and Jordan Brinson. The 6-1 sophomore showcased a high basketball IQ with his decision-making, passing ability and understanding of pace — when to push and when to pull the basketball out and run offense. Pollard knocked down a handful of catch-and-shoot 3-pointers with good shooting mechanics.
Zion Sutton, 2021, Narbonne
Sutton is a prototypical Anthony Hilliard guard at Narbonne — strong frame, physical, thrives off of contact and loves to defend. The 5-foot-11 freshman plays with a high motor and is always in attack mode in transition settings. One of the hardest things to do is get a young guard to buy in to the defensive end, but Sutton seems to be one of those rare young prospects who enjoys getting in a defensive stance and locking someone up.