Torrey Pines Holiday Classic: Stock Raisers
The Torrey Pines Holiday Classic, as it usually does, turned in a solid field from top to bottom.
The National Division was filled with high level teams from all over Southern California and squads with top prospects from all across the country.
Even the lower divisions had top-notch teams from SoCal and beyond. In this piece we take a look at the prospects who raised their stock down in San Diego.
Stock Raisers
Chibuzo Agbo, St. Augustine
With the departures of highly-regarded forward Taeshon Cherry and point guard Kimo Ferrari, Agbo has a lot more weight on his shoulders to produce, and produce he did. In Saints game against College Park (TX) and five-star, Kansas-bound guard Quentin Grimes, the 6-foot-6 forward scored 26 points and pulled down 14 rebounds, showing an impressive attack-first mentality in the process. Agbo knows how to use his strong frame to bully his way to the basket and is beginning to stretch his range to the 3-point line.
Yassine Gharram, Foothills Christian
Gharram has a ton of feel with the ball in his hands, and while there were times early in his career that he over-handled and became a bit too flashy with his passing, the 6-foot-2 sophomore has simplified his game and it’s paying off. Gharram has evolved into a true point guard prospect with elite vision and passing ability. He knows when to get off the ball and picks his scoring spots well in transition and half-court settings.
Jamal Hartwell, Fairfax
The 5-foot-10 senior is one of the top remaining unsigned senior point guards in SoCal. He’s had some interest from a handful of Division I programs and that could translate into scholarship offers if Hartwell continues to play the way he did at Torrey Pines. Hartwell ranked fifth in scoring (21.2 points per game) while leading Farifax to a 3-2 record at the Holiday Classic. Hartwell was efficient from both the mid-range and long-range levels.
Ronnie Latting, Mission Bay
We touched on Latting’s huge 18-point and 13-rebound performance in Mission Bay’s win over Foothills Christian and his activity on both ends of the floor is the reason why he’s on this list. The 6-foot-6 forward/center plays with a physicality and toughness that few other big men in San Diego can handle, which makes him one of the best offensive and defensive rebounders in his area And as “they” like to say, rebounding translates to every level.
Jay Norton, Mission Bay
Norton has evolved from a slashing, finishing, high motor guard who is best in transition to a guy who is a legitimate threat to knock down a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer in the half-court setting. The 6-foot-1 off-guard has tightened up his shooting mechanics over the last few months and his release point and rotation are vastly improved from where they were last spring and summer.
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame sharpshooter Julian Rishwain had his 3-point stroke on point at Torrey Pines.Julian Rishwain, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame
When the conversation of best shooters in SoCal comes up, Rishwain is near the top of that list. The 6-foot-5 two-guard has some of the best shooting mechanics you’ll find, add that to a quick release, deep range and unbridled confidence, and the junior has the potential to help a lot of Division I college programs. What’s not talked about enough with Rishwain is his impressive length and high basketball IQ.
Ziaire Williams, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame
Williams is one of the most intriguing long-term prospects in all of Southern California and he doesn’t really get the respect he deserves from national “scouts.” The 6-foot-7 sophomore is a smooth three-level scorer with vision, IQ and, most importantly, zero ego or “I’m gonna get mine” attitude. Williams was extremely productive and efficient when we watched him against Cathedral Catholic, scoring 31 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in the win.