2006 Fullcourt Press Spring League
Player Report (Part I)
(March 20, 2006)
The 2006 Fullcourt Press Spring League ended its four week run yesterday on a high note with a day full of intense action and hotly contested games. Below is the 1st part of a multiple part installment highlighting the top players, prospects and performances of the league.
Austin Daye 6’9” Jr. Woodbridge (Irvine CA)
While there are other Class of 2007 prospects that are more ready to be a factor in spring/summer AAU action right now, the player with the most potential may very well be the son of former UCLA Bruin and Boston Celtic Darren Daye. Austin has sprouted to a legit 6’9” and has that certain length, skill and basketball IQ package that results in the making of a special player! Daye has tremendous range on his textbook jump shot as well as great ability to see the floor and make the right pass at the right time. Looking at his baby face, it is obvious that Daye is nowhere close to peaking physically and as he matures normally, look for his speed, athleticism and strength to round into shape making him a top national prospect. Gonzaga and Arizona State are among the handful of schools realizing his enormous upside and it won’t be long before other top programs jump on the bandwagon too.
Troy Gillenwater 6’7” So. Fremont (Los Angeles CA)
Strong and physical power-forward has that certain “poise” of a winner! Soft touch around the basket as well as the ability to punch it on his defender as well, Troy is an impact player in the paint, but also has underrated range on his jumper too. Only Drew Gordon (Mitty/San Jose CA) is in his class among West Coast sophomore post players.
DeMar DeRozan 6’5” So. Compton (Compton CA)
DeRozan is a human highlight film! Drawing rave reviews for his acrobatic dunks high above the rim, Demar has also improved his range on his jump shot. With improved work on his defense as well as his ballhandling skills, DeRozan will be an elite national Class of 2008 wing.
James Harden 6’5” Jr. Artesia (Lakewood CA)
A day after winning the CIF Division III state title in Sacramento, Harden showed his passion for this game by showing up to play in the FPSL yesterday. James has a smooth stroke as well as very long arms that make him an annoying defender and effective rebounder. Harden is also a bona-fide winner that will be one of this spring and summer’s top performers.
Carlon Brown 6’4” Jr. King (Riverside CA)
Brown is a terrific, but very underrated national combo-guard prospect that will be one of the top West Coast surprises this spring! Very savvy balhandler has nice size for a lead guard as well as real ability to bury the deep perimeter shot. Very good student too.
Tyrone Shelly 6’6” Jr. Crawford (San Diego CA)
Turning in perhaps the best performance of the day yesterday in H-Squad’s win over upstart TKO, Shelly showed that he can be a dominating swingman that can affect the game on both ends of the floor. Strong and athletic body allows him to get to the cup with regularity with additional ability to knock down the perimeter jumper, Tyrone is quickly putting together the “full package” for this promising high-major wing forward.
James Cawthorne 6’9” Sr. Villa Park (Villa Park CA)
One of SoCal’s top unsigned senior prospects, Cawthorne can score in a variety of ways. Underrated rebounder and defender. Saved his best for last this past season – scoring a team-high 25 points in Villa Park’s huge CIF play-off road upset over Dominguez.
Gabriel Thrash 6’6” Sr. Gardena (Gardena CA)
Very underrated unsigned senior post-forward had a great spring league! Strong as an ox down low as well as springy ability to fight for rebounds and tip-ins, Thrash could be a real nice spring get for a program in need of athletic forward.
Malcom Thomas 6’8” Sr. Crawford (San Diego CA)
Thin, but intriguing forward is oozing with potential. Thomas is very bouncy and active in the paint and is only additional weight/strength away from being an impact player at next level.
Jason Deutchman 6’6” Post. Santa Monica CA
Deutchman is a Class of 2005 Santa Monica HS grad who has successfully recovered from foot injuries and is now 100% healthy. Deutchman played very well here, showing nice ability to be an offensive threat both inside the paint and from beyond the 3-point arc. Very good student and full qualifier plans on playing the spring circuit and will be a nice late pick-up for a mid-major-plus program looking for additional offensive production.
Jordan Block 6’2” Jr. Claremont (Claremont CA)
Always known as an accurate outside marksman, Block has improved quickness and ability to beat defenders off the dribble which bodes well for his Division I fortunes.
Tyreese Breshers 6’7” So. Price (Los Angeles CA)
Physical post-forward is a bull down low and has long arms and a nice bounce which allows him to sky for rebounds, block shots and power dunk on opponents. Breshers also has soft hands and consistent ability to score on the block. One to watch!
Shantell Norman 6’10” Sr. Artesia (Lakewood CA)
Enormous post-man has surprising touch and agility.
Avner Alkhas 6’3” Jr. Northwood (Irvine CA)
Solid scoring guard has a very nice perimeter stroke and is very savvy with the ball. Excellent student.
Chris Solomon 6’3” So. Fairfax (Los Angeles CA)
Talented, but young off-guard has smooth outside stroke from deep beyond the arc.
Matthew Wallace 6’2” Jr. City Honors (Inglewood)
Skilled guard has a very nice all-around game and is a very effective scorer.
Troy Ross 6’4” Sr. Quartz Hill (Lancaster CA)
Physical, but undersized forward grinds it out in the pant and has a nice scoring touch.
Jason Pruitt 6’1” So. Artesia (Lakewood CA)
Is there a soph guard with more lethal ability to beat opponents of the dribble? Plus, Gabriel Pruitt’s (USC) younger brother has that pull-up jumper looking real nice too!
Darryl Felder 6’1” Sr. Diamond Bar (Diamond Bar CA)
Smooth-operator has offensive firepower. Combo-guard has a nice handle and plays solid defense.
Jean Harris 6’1” Jr. Los Angeles (Los Angeles CA)
Consistently one of the top scorers in the league, Harris has a nice combination of ability to beat defenders off the dribble as well as knocking down the perimeter jumper. Underrated ballhandler and passer.
Cheyne Martin 6’2” Jr. Laguna Beach (Laguna Beach CA)
Lefty has a nice pull-up perimeter stroke and crafty scoring ability of the dribble.
Jamil Greenwood 6’6” Sr. Don Lugo (Chino CA)
Versatile forward looked real good this month – showing very nice offensive moves as well as nice improvement in his strength and his ability to be a physical presence in the paint.
Flynn Clayman 6’8” Jr. New Roads (Santa Monica CA)
Skilled forward with size has nice ability to score from the perimeter.
Derrick January 6’5” Jr. Los Angeles Adventist (CA)
Athletic swingman is a legitimate scoring threat. Very nice mid-major prospect.
Jesse Woodard 6’1” Jr. Centennial (Compton CA)
Strong and savvy point had a stroke that brought “rain” this past Sunday!
Josh Guillory 6’5” Sr. Lynwood (Lynwood CA)
Human pogo-stick can flush it with the best and has an improved jump shot. Guillory’s dunking duel with DeMar DeRozan on Sunday will go down in the SoCal hoops history book as one of the most memorable “above the rim” exhibitions in recent memory!
Laith Al-Jamie 6’2” Sr. Trabuco Hills (Mission Viejo CA)
Solid combo-guard makes plays on both ends of the floor and is a very underrated passer.
Jack Appleby 6’6” Sr. Poly (Riverside CA)
Undersized, but effective post-man loves to bang down low and is a physical rebounder. Excellent student.
William Bellano 6’5” So. Crossroads (Santa Monica CA)
Lefty has nice wing size and deep range on jump shot. Very good student.
Charles Hinkle 6’6” Sr. Los Alamitos (Los Alamitos CA)
Athletic wing is an excellent defender and nice slashing scorer. Good student.
**1st part of a multiple part series highlighting 2006 FPSL players
