Pino was a constant problem because of how well he moved without the ball. He stayed active, cut at the right moments and always seemed to find open space before the defense could react. Once he got a lane he attacked the rim hard and finished with confidence. His timing and feel made him tough to contain, and defenders had to stay alert every second. Pino’s energy, smart movement and aggressive drives made him a spark plug who kept pressure on the defense throughout the game

Pino was one of the summer’s breakout scorers and players that I’m excited to see more of. Whenever we saw him, he turned heads as he’s one of the best iso scorers in the class. He’s a creator and a tough shot taker. He has a tight handle, gets to his spots, and can heat up quickly with the ball in his hands. Pino is confident in triple-threat situations; he makes defenders pay off the bounce or from deep and looks to be a gifted scorer all summer long. The only caveat is we have to see if that translates against real varsity talent. Palmer is losing a ton this year and will be forced to look for young talent to contribute. He has the chance to be a welcome addition and prove that he’s progressed in ways that will land him on varsity this season. He jumps onto the rankings after a summer of turning heads, and now it’s time to do it when it matters. 

Pino was a breakout star that we did not know too much about heading into the event. He dominated in 3-on-3, then carried it into 5-on-5, scoring at will. He handled the ball with confidence, broke down defenders, and finished at the rim as one of the top scorers on the day. Pino appears to be electric as a creator as a score-first guard. Pino looked like one of the surprise standouts of the showcase and a guard whose stock should rise quickly. Excited to follow him this year to see if it continues. 

Pino is electric in the open court, using quickness and ball-handling to create easy buckets in transition. He attacks the rim fearlessly, finishes through contact, and finds teammates for open looks. His leadership, energy, and willingness to do what is asked of him in different situations makes him a player worth watching. We have seen him as the playmaker, defender, set-up guy, and hustle player. That’s versatility. We want to see him at the showcase pushing the pace, breaking down defenses, and showing he can be one of the toughest guards to contain in this class.

Pino thrived in the open court, using his quickness and ball handling to create opportunities in transition. He attacked the basket confidently, finishing through contact and even scoring over taller defenders. As the day progressed, his vision and playmaking stood out, consistently finding teammates for open looks while keeping defenders off balance.

Derick is a guard with a crafty handle that allows him to create separation from defenders in all situations. His ability to get his shot off, regardless of who is defending him, speaks to his confidence and skill. He plays his own game, unbothered by the pressure or reputation of his opponents. Derick’s poise and control make him a consistent threat on the offensive end.

Despite being a smaller guard, Derick filled crucial gaps on offense, whether by attacking the rim or hitting jump shots. His hustle on defense and for 50-50 balls made him indispensable on both ends of the court.

Derick Pino Derick Pino 5'10" | PG Palmer | 2028 State CO is a physical hooper who drives into contact well and finishes at the rim. Pino has no problem slicing through defenses and creating opportunities for both himsef and his teammates.