Spring Elite Showcase: Names to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>April 10-12, Open Gym Premiere in Oakland CA, hosted The Annual Elite Spring Showcase, an event that unofficially starts Spring basketball in NorCal. There were plenty of top prospects, up and coming, and newcomers in the gym. Here are some Names To Know guard prospects who are off to a good start for Spring hoops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2352719' first='Max' last='Nishikawa']: He's a hard playing combo guard, with the smarts to get things done. He runs the team up top with quality handles, uses his body, takes care of the ball, not a lot of turnovers, sharp passing. He gets to his spots for mid-range jumpers, or uses hard dribble drives to get into the paint, handling the bumps, and paint jumpers. He's a ball mover, use screens, makes sharp cuts to find open spots for squared up 3's. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2894463' first='Scotty' last='Beamish']: The Freshman guard is playing up, 16U in the spring hoping to sharpen his point guard skills, and decision making for next season. He has the tools to run a team, handles, and speed. He'll look to facilitate the offense, improve court vision, more pass first oriented at first, before looking to score. He has some quick twitch for pull-ups off the dribble, can knockdown 3's in rhythm. He's handling ball pressure, looks up court. He has the quick feet to defend on ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2952322' first='Isaiah' last='Dotson']: He plays with energy on both sides of the ball, he's learning how to manage it in a good way. He's handling on the perimeter, making decisive moves off the dribble, sometimes weaving in avoiding contact, or dealing with the contact to finish. He has range to square up for 3's on the catch. He's a floor runner, hustle back defense, cuts off the dribbler. He has the length, and foot speed to take his defense to another level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Drew Veronie: </strong>A 6'1 guard thrives in a fast pace game, pushing the ball fast up court, or filling lanes to get layups. He's a good ball handler can create, he's got a few hesitation, change of direction moves to freeze defenders, get to the basket and finish with either hand. He's a confident player doesn't shy a way from putting up 3's from a good distance, they go in. He finished with 30pts in one of his games at this event. It was our first look. He averaged 23.4ppg, 5r with his high school team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2963486' first='Joaquin' last='Lucero-Mattis III']: Plays with a bit of a chip on his shoulder. He's fast, with quality handles, hard to contain in open space. He has leverage, finds cracks, has good hops, and strength to challenges blockers. In club ball he has the green light on his team to pull up for transition 3's, 3's off the dribble, they go in. He can slow things down, has court vision, will feed the post, can drive, dish or dump it off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Noah Camara</strong>: A fast guard covers a lot of ground on the defensive side of the ball. He has quick hands and feet, lateral movement, he traps up top, can apply ball pressure full court. He's a good ball handler with a first step to get by defenders, get into the paint, or pull-up for mid-range jumpers. He's fast in transition, might go coast to coast.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2440137' first='Malakai' last='Kelley'] : He's off to a good start this spring. It seems as though he's improved his 3-point shooting. He's a big guard at 6'3 growing, with a frame to bulk up a bit. He might be more suited as a shooting guard working from the sides, using screens and movement to get a shot up, or use a dribble or two for a elbow jumper. He runs wide to the corners, shot ready to put a catch 3ptr. He helps rebound, can handle up top when called to do so. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->