Fullcourt Press Southern California Class of 2009 Rankings: Part II - Combo-Forwards (February 20, 2009) This is the 2nd of a five part series of 2009 rankings that will be released over the next 2 weeks.  Unlike some other media sources that don’t fully understand that the college and pro game positions are inherently different for many reasons too detailed to discuss here, the Fullcourt Press has always broken down its rankings into 5 different position areas: (a) Centers/Post-Forwards, (b) Combo-Forwards, (c) Wing Forwards/Off-Guards, (d) Combo-Guards and (e) Point Guards.  These position categories reflect how multidimensional the college game has become and how much the concept of “versatility” is valued by college coaches.  These rankings reflect both current player talent level/skills as well as his “upside” or potential.  We have ranked the best of the bunch from 1-10 with others deserving consideration listed further below.  For purposes of these rankings: “Southern California” is the area bordering the Fresno area to the north and the Mexican Border to the south. Listed below are the top Combo-Forwards in Southern California’s Class of 2009.  For the purposes of discussion of this term, “combo-forwards” here refers to players than can both play on the block as well as “face-up” away from the basket.  Top-to-bottom, this is arguably the best and deepest pool of the five 2009 position categories.   All of the Top 10 here are or have potential to be high-major players. 2009 Combo-Forwards

1.         Solomon Hill                        6’6”     Fairfax (Los Angeles CA) USC signee is a terrific all-around forward that has a very complete game and can do substantial damage both inside the paint as well as out on the perimeter.  Solomon is a rather deceptive athlete and underrated perimeter shooter as well as having very solid ballhandling ability to play as a “point-forward.”  Hill’s consistent effort and production and his ability to translate his vast talents into a winning formula gives him a slight edge here as the current #1 guy at this position category. 2.         Tyler Honeycutt                  6’8”     Sylmar (Sylmar CA) Tyler has been tagged as a prospect with major “upside” since last spring and this season he has been showing why – displaying high-major athleticism, running the lanes on the

break like a deer and exhibiting an improved and accurate outside stroke.  However, legitimate issues still remain for this UCLA signee.  Does he have the lateral quickness to defend wing players (he has been projected by some as a wing forward)?  Does he have the leadership and toughness qualities to be the “go-to-guy” on a Pac-10 or national championship squad?   Does he have the work-ethic and drive to put in a lot of hours in the weight room to bulk up his slim physique?  His time in Westwood will soon answer these questions. 3.         Derrick Williams                  6’7”     La Mirada (La Mirada CA) Very versatile forward has a nice blend of inside-outside skills with range extending to 20 feet as well as excellent ability to beat other forwards off the dribble.  Williams is a legitimate offensive threat who reminds me of former Cal star Sean Lampley.   USC signee is a very underrated national prospect

having a monster senior season – averaging 24.1 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. 4.         Kawhi Leonard                   6’6”     King (Riverside CA) Strong forward has very good range on his jump shot and has been showing people this season what we have known since last summer – that he is a bonafide Top 100 caliber national prospect with potential to be a national surprise once he gets to college.  Leonard has a Paul Pierce-type ability to make tough shots as well as a wide variety of them.  San Diego State signee is an absolute steal for Steve Fisher who should feel very fortunate that he is not being prosecuted for grand larceny! 5.         Thurman Woods                6’5”     Dominguez (Compton CA) Lefty is an explosive athlete and an underrated 3-point shooter and strong rebounder.  Montana signee is a big-time steal for the Grizzlies and a very good student.  Prior to the season,

Woods was discovered to be technically in his 5th year (ninth semester of high school) this fall and was denied eligibility to play this season.  Top 100-150 caliber national prospect. 6.         Andy Brown                                    6’8”     Mater Dei (Santa Ana CA) Skilled forward is a very good shooter as well as a better-than-advertised athlete.  Great nose for the ball makes him an effective offensive rebounder.  Stanford signee just tore his ACL and will miss the rest of this high school season, but hopes to be ready as a freshman in Palo Alto next school year.  Great student! 7.         Alec Williams                       6’6”     J Serra (San Juan Capistrano CA) Strong scoring combo-forward has impressive confidence in

his perimeter stroke.  San Diego State signee is a very underrated vertical athlete that will flush it on you if you give him a step.   8.         Devonte Elliott                    6’9”     Paramount (Paramount CA) Elliott is long and lanky and surprisingly skilled for his size.  Excellent upside due to his nice length.  One of the West’s top “long-term” sleepers signed with Nevada. 9.         Jerry Evans                         6’7”     Leuzinger (Lawndale CA) Lean but athletic slashing scorer is cut out of the Stacy Augmon-mold.  Other than Honeycut and Elliott, Evans may have as much upside as anybody on this list.   San Jose State, Iowa State, Cal State Northridge, Santa Clara and Oregon State are taking a long look at this 15.2 points/7.1 boards per game forward.

10.       Desean Anderson              6’7”     Inglewood (Inglewood CA) Scrawny but crafty scorer can really put points on the board and has the tools to be an excellent defender.  Underrated athlete runs floor well and has real ability to take opponents off the dribble.  Anderson is averaging 17.4 points/9.1 rebounds per game this season.   Other 2009 Combo-Forwards To Follow   *           Noah Aguirre                       6’5”     Filmore (Filmore CA)   Hardworking defender finishes well inside and is averaging 22 points/9 boards this season.   Good student. *           James Boyd                        6’5”     Jordan (Los Angeles CA) Athletic defender is also an excellent football prospect.  Signed with USC football.   *           Cameron Broomi                6’6”     Van Nuys (Van Nuys CA) Strong rebounder can score around the basket. *           Terran Carter                       6’5”     Taft (Woodland Hills CA) Cal State Northridge signee is undersized but an effective competitor as well as an underrated mid-range shooter.   Doesn’t have the long term upside of guys at the top of this list (due to his lack of size) but he is a bona-fide winner that gives you maximum effort.    *           Mike Edwards                     6’6”     Canyon (Canyon Country CA) Face-up shooter is a solid ballhandler.    *           Travis Flye                           6’6”     Pasadena (Pasadena CA) Athletic slashing scorer runs the floor well.   *           Travis Fulton                       6’6”     Santiago (Corona CA) Versatile forward has perimeter range on his jump shot.  Very good student is hearing from Cal Poly and UC-Irvine and is averaging 22 points/13 boards this season. *           Garrett Frick                         6’6”     Santa Monica (Santa Monica CA) Physical wing-forward has a knack for scoring and is a tough match-up on the glass.  Good student is hearing from Army and Air Force. *           Leon Gibson                        6’6”     Serra (Gardena CA)  Athletic rebounder and defender became ineligible due to academics in mid-season.  Gibson is probably JUCO-bound. *           Greg Giron                           6’5”     Chino Hills (Chino Hills CA) Fundamentally sound forward is a fine passer.   Small college prospect. *           Phil Gruber                           6’6”     Westview (San Diego CA) Face-up shooter is an underrated defender.  Solid student is averaging 15 points/9 rebounds this season.   *           Stephon Heard                   6’6”     Jordan (Long Beach CA) “Run and jump” athlete can really finish in transition and is an aggressive defender.   Cal State Northridge among schools showing interest for this mid-major potential prospect.  Heard had 14 points/20 boards in a CIF 1st round play-off win over Bell Gardens this past week. *           Miles Jarrett                         6’6”     Ayala (Chino Hills CA) Jarrett (an excellent student) has a nice mid-range jump shot and is an underrated athlete.   Physical player is averaging 18 points/10 boards this season and is hearing from Air Force, Boston University, New Mexico State and UC-Davis at the moment.     *           Kyle Jones                           6’6”     Lincoln (San Diego CA) Athletic slashing scorer is thin but has range on his jump shot.  Jones did not play this year because he is a 5th year senior but will play this spring with the San Diego All-Stars. *           Christian Katuala               6’5”     Etiwanda (Etiwanda CA) Very underrated interior scorer and tough defender.  Nice athlete and solid student is averaging 12 points and 8 rebounds on a very balanced Etiwanda squad that is one of California’s best.   *           William Overton                  6’5”     Leuzinger (Lawndale CA) Detroit MI native is a strong forward with excellent mid-range skills.  Flying low under the college radar at the moment.   *           D’Angelo Scott                    6’7”     Lynwood (Lynwood CA) Skilled forward can put the ball on the floor very well for his size and has improved athleticism.  “Spaghetti” failed to win a 5th year of HS eligibility this year and might be an attractive prospect that a mid-major might place at a “friendly” JUCO for future use.   *           Tony Snell                            6’6”     King (Riverside CA) Rail-thin combo runs floor well and is active on the glass.   Underrated player with intriguing upside. *           Keith Taylor                         6’6”     Price (Los Angeles CA) Agile forward has the ability catch the rock and finish in traffic.  Very good student is hearing from Seattle University and Cal State San Bernardino. *           Katario Walker                    6’6”     Blair (Pasadena CA) Athletic rebounder applies great defensive pressure. *           Trevor Warren                     6’6”     Santa Clara (Oxnard CA) Warren is a nice athlete with an excellent physique that can finish in transition.  Solid student is a pesky defender. *           Warren Williamson 6’5”     Loyola (Los Angeles CA) Aggressive defender and rebounder is also a terrific student. Photos of Solomon Hill, Derrick Williams, Khawhi Leonard, Thurman Woods, Alec Williams and Jerry Evans by Nick Koza (www.SportsAmp.com).

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