2012 Fullcourt Press Fall Showcase Report By Dinos Trigonis (September 17, 2012)
The annual Fullcourt Press Fall Showcase was held on Sunday September 9th at Ribet Academy (Los Angeles CA) and as was the case with previous editions, there was plenty of talent present. Five classes (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017) were on hand and they gave us plenty of evidence of both the present and future. Media/scouts on hand included McDonald’s All-American Game selection committee member Frank Burlison (BurlisonOnBasketball.com & Sports Illustrated), Joel Francisco (ESPN.com), Dinos Trigonis (Fullcourt Press & Nothing But Net), Etop Udo-Ema (Fullcourt Press & Hoopmasters), Dave Nahabedian (Networx), Gerry Freitas (Hoop Review), Dave Keefer & Dave Rogahn (CaliforniaPreps.com), Roy White (IHigh.com) and Nick Koza (SportsAmp.com). Righteous Star Video (righteousstar.com) was present and videotaped all games. In this report, I will focus on several standouts that took part.
** 2013 PLAYERS
Jordan Bell 6’7” 2013 Poly (Long Beach CA) Inch for inch, Bell is arguably the finest shotblocker in the nation and his passion for the game (and for getting better) was evident here as he insisted on playing in both senior games. Skill set continues to improve as he recorded 12 points/9 boards/8 assists in Top 20 Game.
Roschon Prince 6’5” 2013 Poly (Long Beach CA) Recent USC commit was his usual confident self here, asserting his will and versatility on the offensive end: 15 points/7 boards/10 assists in Top 20 Game.
Jahmel Taylor 5’10” 2013 Pacific Hills (Los Angeles CA) Strong and athletic point has ability to put points on the board. With London Perrantes off the board (verbal to Virginia), Taylor is arguably SoCal’s top available 2013 PG prospect. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) transfer had 11 points/5 boards/3 assists in Top 20 Game.
Kahleal Ferguson 5’9” 2013 Jordan (Long Beach CA) Quick and crafty playmaker is a deceptive athlete and has the competitiveness coaches love in a floor-leader.
Estevan “EJ” Johnson 5’11” 2013 Dominguez (Compton CA) Savvy point guard is a very good ballhandler and distributor.
Will Newman 6’0” 2013 Lawndale (Lawndale CA) Very underrated combo-guard is a scrappy defender and slithering scorer (14 points in Top 40 Game).
Andre Spight 6’3” 2013 Pasadena (Pasadena CA) Under the radar off-guard has legitimate 3-point range.
Kris Randle 6’4” 2013 Inglewood (Inglewood CA) One of the surprises of the event, Randle is a smooth wing with ability to knock down perimeter shots. Had 14 points/8 boards in Top 40 Game.
JoJo Ballesteros 5’10” 2013 Canyon (Anaheim CA) Small PG has NBA range on his 3-point shot.
Dantley Brown 6’1” 2013 Culver City (Culver City CA) Athletic combo-guard is a very good on-ball defender.
** 2014 PLAYERS
Stanley Johnson 6’7” 2014 Mater Dei (Santa Ana CA) Hardworking and strong swingman continues to improve his overall skills and produces every time he steps on the floor. Stanley’s 29 points (5 “threes”) and 5 rebounds in Top 20 Game was a huge statement about his perimeter scoring skills and a reminder to some national scouts that he deserves a higher national ranking. Kentucky’s John Calipari and Arizona’s Sean Miller visited Stanley on his Mater Dei campus the day after the event.
Isaiah Bailey 6’5” 2014 Compton (Compton CA) Proto-type wing forward is fluid in transition and has a versatile offensive game that has made him a Top 100 2014 prospect by multiple major recruiting sources. Had 12 points/6 boards in Top 20 Game.
Chris Sandifer 6’4” 2014 Serra (Gardena CA) High-octane lefty scorer (15 points in Top 20 Game) has a propensity to knock down 3-point shots and his high-flying athleticism has added a new dimension to his game.
Kameron Chatman 6’6” 2014 Poly (Long Beach CA) Multi-dimensional perimeter player is an excellent rebounder (7 boards) and very good passer (5 assists).
Iziahiah Sweeney 6’3” 2014 Compton (Compton CA) Sweeney’s 21 points (on 10/14 shooting) opened more than a few eyes here in the Top 20 Game. This athletic SG has ability to explode to the cup off the bounce and the physical tools to be a lock-down defender.
Ajon Efferson 5’11” 2014 Pasadena (Pasadena CA) High scoring point has ability to create his own shot and is an underrated distributor. Contributed 9 points/4 rebs/5 assists in Top 20 Game.
Taelin Webb 5’11” 2014 La Mirada (La Mirada CA) Smart floor general with explosive athleticism is the son of former UC-Riverside assistant Vonn Webb.
Blake O’Brien 6’8” 2014 Skyline (Sammamish WA) Washington state native is an agile PF with legitimate face-up perimeter scoring ability.
Victor Joseph 5’11” 2014 Rancho Cucamonga (CA) Sleeper PG prospect stood out in Top 40 Game (16 points/9 assists).
Artis Parris 6’4” 2014 Poly (Long Beach CA) Athletic wing had one of the best dunks in traffic at this event (had 12 points in Top 20 Game).
Kameron Murrell 6’1” 2014 Poly (Long Beach CA) Solid lead guard makes sound decisions and can knock down outside shots (12 points in Top 20 Game).
Brian Enriquez 6’3” 2014 Sultana (Hesperia CA) Off-guard has a smooth perimeter stroke (had 12 points in Top 20 game).
Bono Zekan 6’6” 2014 Ribet Academy (Los Angeles CA) Croatian native has nice ability to spot-up for perimeter jump shots.
Devenir Duruisseau 6’8” 2014 Sylmar (Sylmar CA) Strong power forward is a solid rebounder and post scorer.
Tavrion Dawson 6’6” 2014 Serra (Gardena CA) Undersize PF was effective in Top 40 Game (14 points/8 boards).
** 2015 PLAYERS
Chimezie Metu 6’8” 2015 Lawndale (Lawndale CA) The term “oozing with potential” is a huge understatement when it comes to Metu. Metu is a long-armed PF that is very active on both sides of the floor and his improvement since the beginning of this past summer has been impressive to say the least. Metu is also a very good high-post passer and his basketball IQ is unique for a young post. Look for Metu to join Stephen Zimmerman and Ivan Rabb as one of the elite 2015 post prospects in the West in the near future.
Sedrick Barefield 6’0” 2015 Centennial (Corona CA) Barefield is a consummate floor general that really knows how to run a squad. Sedrick (11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in Top 20 Game) has really improved his speed off the dribble and his pull-up jumper is ultra-smooth. Offered already by UConn and Boston College.
Jonathan Ross 6’8” 2015 St. Anthony (Long Beach CA) One of Southern Cal’s most rapidly developing sophs showed that he will be a force to be reckoned with in future years. The Orange Lutheran transfer was extremely active on both sides of the floor in the Top 20 Game – blocking shots, rebounding with authority and scoring in traffic. Ross finished with 8 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals and served notice that 2012-13 could be a break-out year for him.
Stephen Thompson Jr. 6’2” 2015 Bishop Montgomery (Torrance CA) Smooth wing player with emerging skills had 14 points (including 3 “threes” in Top 20 Game). If his athleticism evolves anywhere close to his dad Stevie Thompson (former Syracuse star), look out!
Nick Pallas 6’7” 2015 J Serra (San Juan Capistrano CA) Strong and burly post out of the Jon Brockman mold is also a very good perimeter shooter out to the 3-point stripe. Pallas produced 14 points (including 2 “threes”) to go along with 8 rebounds and 3 steals in Top 20 Game.
Jeremiah Headley 6’6” 2015 Redondo Union (Redondo Beach CA) Strong post forward can score on the block and is a solid rebounder (had 7 boards in Top 20 Game).
Tyler Burch 6’6” 2015 Ocean View (Huntington Beach CA) Sharpshooting wing with quality size has improved his agility and quickness.
Jeffrey McClendon 6’3” 2015 Pasadena (Pasadena CA) Athletic and scrappy wing guard is a very good slashing scorer, rebounder (6 boards) and harassing defender.
Latrelle Franklin 5’9” 2015 Great Oak (Temecula CA) Younger brother of San Diego State PG LaBradford Franklin has excellent penetrating ability as well as passing skills (7 assists). Surprisingly good rebounder for size (6 boards) and possesses quick hands on the defensive end (4 steals).
Malik Anderson 6’7” 2015 Providence (Burbank CA) Son of former NBA player Nick Anderson is a growing hybrid-forward that runs the floor well and can score off the bounce.
Kahlil Simplis 6’0” 2015 Campbell Hall (North Hollywood CA) Sleeper point guard is basketball smart and a pin-point passer (4 assists in Top 20 game).
Nicholas Pete 6’7” 2015 Tahquitz (Hemet CA) Raw athlete is an excellent rebounder with intriguing upside.
Cameron High 6’0” 2015 Redondo Union (Redondo Beach CA) St. Bernard transfer did not have his best outing here but his talent and potential is too vast to ignore and is projected to be another great player produced by Reggie Morris (coached Russell Westbrook and Dorrell Wright at Leuzinger).
Roman Davis 6’6” 2015 Windward (Los Angeles CA) Rapidly improving WF runs the floor very well and can finish in transition.
Rogers Printup 6’4” 2015 Orange Lutheran (Orange CA) Physical wing is an excellent defender.
Joseph Alvarez 6’8” 2015 Glendora (Glendora CA) Active young “big” grabbed 9 rebounds and registered an event high 7 block shots in Top 40 Game.
Nnamdi Okongwu 6’8” 2015 Chino Hills (Chino Hills CA) Very raw but growing La Verne Lutheran transfer is one to track.
CJ Hankins 6’1” 2015 Orange Lutheran (Orange CA) Aggressive off-guard hauled down 12 boards to go along with 8 points and 5 assists in Top 40 game.
Troylan Bolden 5’11” 2015 Santa Maria (Santa Maria CA) Steady lead guard with 3-point range had 14 points to go along with 7 boards in Top 40 Game.
Amir Kamgar 6’8” 2015 Ribet Academy (Los Angeles CA) Very thin Iranian transfer student showed long-distance range on his jump shot here in Top 40 game (buried 2 “threes”).
Michael Polman 5’10” 2015 Burroughs (Ridgecrest CA) Scoring point guard had 15 points in Top 40 game.
Colin Bell 6’8” 2015 Campbell Hall (North Hollywood CA) PF grabbed 12 boards in Top 40 Game.
** 2016 PLAYERS
Vance Jackson 6’6” 2016 La Salle (Pasadena CA) Young wing with excellent length is a Tracy Murray-type scorer with terrific potential to be a high-major recruit. Jackson’s talents are already being recognized on a national level: ranked #17 in 2016 by Hoop Scoop. Jackson fared well in Top 20 Frosh Game (14 points/5 rebounds/4 assists) and joined the play in the Top 20 Soph game where he equaled his frosh game scoring output of 14 points.
Devearl Ramsey 5’11” 2016 Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth CA) Kenny Brunner-type lead guard is a stat stuffer: 9 points/8 rebounds/5 assists/4 steals in Top 20 Game. Nobody is quicker off the bounce in this class and his speed in transition has inspired me to nick-name him: “Fast & Furious.”
Milan Aquaah 6’0” 2016 La Salle (Pasadena CA) Strong and stocky guard with a Philly-type game connected with a game-high 19 points in the Top 20 game. Bona-fide scoring instincts make him a dangerous defensive assignment.
Leland Green 6’2” 2016 Redondo Union (Redondo Beach CA) Very quick combo-guard with plenty of swagger affects the game on both ends of the floor. Green produced a very good day’s work in Top 20 Game: 9 points/4 rebounds/4 assists/3 steals.
Daron Henson 6’7” 2016 Alemany (Mission Hills CA) Very long combo-forward is active on the glass and is an underrated perimeter shooter. Henson scored 13 points in Top 20 Game and is only scratching the surface of his immense potential.
Jordan Griffin 6’3” 2016 Centennial (Corona CA) Quick slashing scorer can get to the cup in a hurry and his long arms make him a terrific defender.
Dikymbe Martin 6’0” 2016 JW North (Riverside CA) Smooth PG has excellent ability to “set the table” for teammates as well as get his own shot. Remember the name because Martin’s game will attract HM interest.
Bryce Peters 6’0” 2016 St. John Bosco (Bellflower CA) Crafty lead guard has the talent to beat defenders off the dribble.
Jonah Matthews 6’0” 2016 Santa Monica (Santa Monica CA) Youngest son of UCLA assistant Phil Mathews is a crafty combo-guard with plenty of basketball IQ and has the personality necessary to be a great leader on the floor.
Vittorio Avila-Reynoso 6’3” 2016 La Mirada (La Mirada CA) Very intriguing young forward has extremely long arms, broad shoulders and a size 15 shoe size. Terrific student (4.0 GPA) too.
Mickey Babik 6’3” 2016 Peninsula (Rolling Hills CA) Wing with impressive scoring skills had 11 points and 4 rebounds in Top 40 game.
Anthony Coleiro 6’2” 2016 Mater Dei (Santa Ana CA) Hustling wing with a very good work ethic is one to keep an eye on in this class.
Ian Carter 6’4” 2016 Santa Monica (Santa Monica CA) SF with a high motor grabbed 8 rebounds in Top 20 game.
2017 PLAYERS
Spencer Freedman 5’8” 2017 Pacific Palisades CA Savvy lead guard with a tremendous 3-point stroke was the event’s high scorer: 39 points (including 9 “threes”). Freedman is also a pin-point distributor as his 5 assists demonstrate. Excellent student has outstanding basketball intangibles.
Jaylen Harris 5’10” 2017 Inglewood CA Freedman wasn’t the only high-octane scorer in the 8thgrade as Harris scored at high clip himself: 27 points.
Ethan Thompson 5’10” 2017 Redondo Beach CA Youngest son of former Syracuse star and current Cal State Los Angeles head coach Steve Thompson is a smooth operator on the offensive end with legitimate scoring skills (scored 20 points in the 8thgrade game).
