The inaugural Fullcourt Press Junior All-West Camp held at Cabrillo HS (Long Beach CA) last Sunday January 24th featured about 80 top 2014, 2015 and 2016 players from California, Arizona and Wyoming. The camp began with a terrific skills clinic by former Alabama star and professional Schea Cotton, an impressive speed and agility workout by Steve Campbell and continued with two competitive rounds of games (as well as a play-off session) that showcased the depth of the young talent present. The campers were also educated on the NCAA rules and guidelines and had an opportunity to learn about the recruiting process from a panel of scouts that were present.

Media/scouts on-hand included event director Dinos Trigonis (Fullcourt Press, Nothing But Net & Hoop Scoop), Etop Udo-Ema (Fullcourt Press & Hoopmasters), Sean Ceglinsky (Nothing But Net), Roy White (WestCoastHoopsReport.com) and Nick Koza (Sportsamp.com).

Since I feel that event player “rankings” usually have very little real value at the youth level, I prefer to discuss the players here in clusters or tiers, recognizing that this camp was a “snap-shot” rather than a memoir on these players and their potential. Please keep in mind that is a very early look at a very young group of prospects that have much room for future growth and are all “unfinished” products.

In this report, we will highlight the top players (listed by alphabetical order) as well as note several other kids that performed well.
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Top 15 8^th Graders in Attendance
(in alphabetical order)

Devin Burleson 6’6” 8^th Oak Tree (Lancaster CA)
Long and athletic post has a physique reminiscent of a young Elden Campbell (Morningside HS/Clemson/Los Angeles Lakers) as well as a soft lefty touch around the cup. Excellent rebounder is still raw in many ways but his long-term “upside” is very real!

Joe Covarrubias 5’10” 8^th Hillview (Whittier CA)
Strong wing player can really score in bunches and has the savvy of a veteran. Cousin of touted junior point guard Cezar Guerrero.

Isaac Deese 5’7” 8^th Haskel MS (Lakewood CA)
Smart PG has a lethal perimeter stroke and the confidence and leadership abilities to be a national premier playmaker. Great competitor is also a tremendous student (4.0 GPA) and his style of play reminds me of Arizona guard Kyle Fogg.

Christian Delgado 5’11” 8^th Hoover (Lakewood CA)
While not the swiftest player at the camp, Delgado is nonetheless a very productive player that has improved tremendously through-out his middle-school years. Solid all-around skills as well as a high basketball IQ gives him the ability to compete with the best in his age/grade level.

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Ajon Efferson 6’0” 8^th Eliot MS (Altadena CA)
One of the fastest rising guards in the national 2014 class. Smooth lead guard has outstanding perimeter skills and an energetic personality that permits him to be an effective team leader. Tough and gritty competitor has ability to elude hawking defenders. Very good student (3.2 GPA).

Latrelle Franklin 5’3” 8^th Vail Ranch MS (Temecula CA)
Ultra-quick point has pesky hands that make him an Eddie Jordan-type defender. Franklin’s handle is also extremely tight and he possesses a pin-point passing ability that provides teammates with plenty of scoring opportunities. Younger brother of San Diego State-bound PG LaBradford Franklin.

Antonio “Tra” Holder 5’11” 8^th Rolling Hills Prep (Palos Verdes CA)
Although Tra has played better at other venues, he is still a Cadillac-type playmaker that projects to be a high-major point guard with normal physical development. Holder’s impressive combination of advanced PG skills makes him arguably the #1 point guard prospect in his grade level in Southern California. If Tra (a solid student) decides to stay at Rolling Hills Prep for his high school years, it would automatically re-establish Ryan Silver’s Huskies as one of the premier small school powers in California.

Marsalis Johnson 6’5” 8^th Pine Crest (Van Nuys CA)

Younger brother of Campbell Hall star and Louisiana Tech signee Deuce Johnson, Marsalis is a strong rebounder and defender that has a skilled face-up game as well. Great kid!
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Stanley Johnson 6’3” 8^th Parks (Fullerton CA)

While it might be difficult to project a long-term position for this “jack of all trades” player, lets be clear about one basic thing: Johnson can flat-out play! Stanley is a beast in the paint – posting up opponents at will and cleaning up the glass with regularity. Johnson is also a deceptively good ballhandler and passer with ability to score in a variety of ways. Johnson has indicated that he will attend Mater Dei next fall.

Kameron Murrell 5’9” 8^th Hill MS (Long Beach CA)

Polished playmaker has an excellent 3-point stroke and the overall skill package that makes him a player worth tracking over the next several years. Murrell has indicated that he is Mater Dei-bound come next fall.

Artis Parris                               5’11”    8^th        Constellan (Long Beach CA)

Artis is one of the most improved 8^th graders in California and he was one of the most active players here. When he wasn’t rebounding with authority, he was slicing down the lane for “two” or making stop after defensive stop. Terrific kid!

Rolando Rhymes                      5’10”    8^th        University of Public Schools (Phoenix AZ)

Crafty lead guard made things happen all camp long and his ability to score from many different areas of the half-court makes him a potent offensive weapon. Rhymes was definitely among the cream of the crop in this camp.

Darryl Stewart              5’9”      8^th        Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth CA)

Hard-nosed defender is a legitimate perimeter shooter and an athletic player with excellent potential.

Spencer Vering                        6’5”      8^th        Bell Mountain MS (Murrieta CA)

Strong power-forward has very nice “back-to-the-basket” offensive skills and is an assertive rebounder on the glass as well. Underrated outside shooter too.

Namon Wright              6’0”      8^th        Oak Tree (Lancaster CA)

Slithering combo-guard is a quick ballhandler and a smothering defender.

The next tier of talented 8^th graders (in alphabetical order) include:

Eric Ambrose               5’8”      8^th        Rolling Hills Prep (Palos Verdes CA)

Vastly improving shooting-guard moves well without the ball.

Joseph Apodaca                      5’11”    8^th        Jefferson MS (Long Beach CA)

Defensive-oriented combo-guard gives maximum effort and is a strong finisher around the basket.

Spencer Benson                       5’10”    8^th        Warm Springs MS (Murrieta CA)

Sharpshooting wing has nice range on his jump shot. Very good student (3.5 GPA).

John Jackson               6’3”      8^th        Sonovan Science (Tucson AZ)

Strong swingman is a physical defender.

Thomas Lapham                      5’10”    8^th        Manhattan Beach MS (Manhattan Beach CA)

Scrappy PG has a solid handle.

Jonathan Lockett                      5’7”      8^th        Mayfair MS (Bellflower CA)

Skilled combo-guard is very athletic and plays with energy at both ends of the floor. Good student.

Jaylen Massengill                    5’10”    8^th        Hoover MS (Lakewood CA)

Wing with a stocky build has a quick first step.

Thomas McEvoy                      6’2”      8^th        St. Peter & Paul (Tucson AZ)

Forward is active on the glass.

Tre Miller                                 6’1”      8^th        Santa Cruz Catholic (Tucson AZ)

Swift swingman is a slashing scorer that was difficult to contain on his drives to the cup.

Dane Norman               5’10”    8^th        Parker (San Diego CA)

Very young 8^th grader is a long guard that runs the floor well. Excellent student (3.8 GPA).

Ty Ochse                                  6’2”      8^th        Apache MS (Sierra Vista AZ)

Hard-working post-player gives 100% each time out and is an off-the-charts student (4.1 GPA).

Jordan Pitts                             5’10”    8^th        Bethany Christian (Lakewood CA)

Athletic guard is a great rebounder for size and impressive student (3.9 GPA).

Chris Sandifer              5’10”    8^th        Inglewood CA

Quick ballhandler had defenders struggling to stay in front of him all camp-long.

DeShon Taylor             5’7”      8^th        Vista Heights MS (Moreno Valley CA)

Speedy point takes care of the rock well. Very good student (3.6 GPA).

Other 8^th graders that impressed included 5’5” Martae Coleman (Mayfair MS/Lakewood CA), 5’7” Corbin Martinez (GMS/Temecula CA), 5’6” Keshaun Mack (Hughes MS/Long Beach CA), 5’2” Reginald Pope (Newcomb Academy/Long Beach CA), 4’11” Jacob Vilchez (Newcomb Academy/Long Beach CA), 5’11” Matthew Stockton (Prentice School/Coto de Caza CA), 5’4” Marcel Chappell (Vail Ranch MS/Temecula CA), 5’6” Andre Bearden (Gridley MS/Vail AZ), 6’0” Alexander Forney (Lindero Canyon/Agoura CA), 5’4” Shannon Chestand (Hughes MS/Long Beach CA) and 5’11” George Zhou (Medea Creek MS/ (Westlake Village CA).

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Top 5 7^th Graders in Attendance
(in alphabetical order)

Sedrick Barefield                      5’7”      7^th        Day MS (Temecula CA)

One of the camp’s top surprises, Sedrick is a very smooth PG that has a bright future. Quick off the dribble, wise with his court decisions and possessing a very accurate scoring touch, Barefield is a player we will be hearing about when he gets to the HS level. Barefield was clutch in the camp’s 7^th grade championship game – knocking down a 19 foot shot with 2 seconds to go to propel his camp team to the title. Good student too (3.2 GPA).

Tyler Dorsey                 6’4”      7^th        Ribet Academy (Los Angeles CA)

Exceptional perimeter scorer is a multi-dimensional prospect that projects to be a multiple position player. Dorsey (the top 7^th grader here) is already a national name and his high overall skill level makes him potentially an elite-level college player.   If Dorsey was a stock, now would be a very good time to buy.

Jacoeb Hampton                      5’1”      7^th        Tucson AZ

Small but extremely quick PG has the competitiveness coaches crave. Huge heart and a lofty basketball IQ allow him to compete against bigger and stronger players.

Jordan Millay               6’3”      7^th        CYMS (Caspar WY)

Strong wing-forward with an excellent outside stroke has very good court-vision and the requisite work-ethic to develop into a fine player. Tremendous student (4.0 GPA).

Cameron Walker                       6’0”      7^th        Lakeview JHS (Santa Maria CA)
Agile swingman has the length and upside to be a coveted long-term prospect and the grades (3.67 GPA) to be a potential Ivy League recruit.

The next tier of talented 7^th graders (in alphabetical order) include:

Jacob Davison             5’2”      7^th        Cubberly MS (Long Beach CA)

Steady ballhandler is also an excellent student (4.0 GPA).

Kejuan Feagin              5’2”      7^th        Douglas Academy (Carson CA)

Solid ballhandler and passer.

Jack Kaub                                5’7”      7^th        Oak MS (Garden Grove CA)

Accurate spot-up shooter is also an outstanding student (4.0 GPA).

Isiah LeBlanc               4’11”    7^th        Holy Innocent (Lakewood CA)

Excellent shooter from long range is an effective playmaker and good student.

Isaac Magallan             5’5”      7^th        Citrus (Corona CA)

Agile guard plays hard at both ends and has a great attitude.

Kendall Smith              6’3”      7^th        St. Arbert (Bellflower CA)

Physical PF gets after it on the glass. If Smith grows and makes a concerted effort to improve his conditioning and attention span, he could evolve into a nice player down the road.

Matthew Thomas                      5’0”      7^th        Hoover MS (Lakewood CA)

Flashy point has nice ability to beat defenders off the dribble.

Nolan Thompson                     6’0”      7^th        Margarita MS (Temecula CA)

Very good defender runs the floor well.

Chris White                              5’10”    7^th        Palms MS (Los Angeles CA)

Long swingman can finish in transition and is effective attacking the basket.

Other 7^th graders that impressed included 5’5” Teddy Bowers (Brethren Christian/Huntington Beach CA), 5’5” Vittorio Avila (Los Coyotes MS/La Mirada CA), 5’6” Kurt Milch (Miraleste IS/Palos Verdes CA), 5’4” Kyle Johnson (Las Colinas MS/Camarillo CA), 5’5” Quentan Bright (Dana MS/Los Angeles CA) and 5’7” Jalen Adrian McEaddy (Orange Grove MS/Tucson AZ).

Top 5 6^th Graders in Attendance
(in alphabetical order)

Joshua Benjamin                     5’0”      6^th        Clara King (Cypress CA)

Heady point plays with poise and never gets rattled by defensive pressure. This gym rat has the work-ethic and love for the game to be an impact player at the next level. Benjamin works hard in the classroom too (“A” student).

Dylan Horn                               5’4”      6^th        Viewpoint MS (Malibu CA)

Natural-born leader at the lead guard position, Dylan is a great competitor and very effective playmaker. Not a shabby student either (3.9 GPA).

Eric Monroe                             5’3”      6^th        St. James Academy (Del Mar CA)

Polished playmaker with a dangerous 3-point stroke, Monroe is also adept taking defenders off the bounce. Eric’s play here left a lasting impression. This excellent student (3.8 GPA) is presently being trained by former Arizona guard and current Phoenix Suns scout Bruce Fraser.

Derryck Thornton                     5’6”      6^th        Sierra Canyon MS (Chatsworth CA)

Thornton is one of the finest 6^th graders I have ever seen! This long and wiry floor-general’s confidence, passion, air-tight handle and ability to make plays against competitors two grade levels higher reminds me of a young Brandon Jennings. Thornton has the swagger of a champion!

Scott Voulgaris                        4’11”    6^th        Marymount (Santa Barbara CA)

Smart and savvy PG competes on every play and his excellent handle allows him to beat defenders off the dribble and create for himself and teammates. Not a bad student either (4.0 GPA).

Other 6^th graders that showed well included 5’7” DeMarco Prewitt (Menifee Valley MS/Menifee CA), 4’5” Brian Givens (Jefferson/Bellflower CA), 5’2” Trace Redfield (Van Avery Prep/Temecula CA) and 5’0” Michael Curley (Margarita MS/Temecula CA).

There were also two 5^th graders present: 5’6” Erick “Isaiah” Mobley (Murrieta CA) and 4’9” Damon Harge (Mountain House CA). Mobley (a straight “A” student) is an excellent competitor with an impressive knowledge of the game while Harge more than held his own here, handling defensive pressure well and making fine passes.

*** Photos courtesy of Nick Koza (SportsAmp.com)

**** Additional camp photos can be viewed and acquired online at: www.sportsamp.com

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