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Jennings: Cream of the Crop
at 2007 Las Vegas Easter Classic
By Dinos Trigonis
(April 10, 2006)
When all the dust settled by last Sunday afternoon, it was 6’1” junior point guard supreme Brandon Jennings and SCA who remained as the last team standing at the 2007 Las Vegas Easter Classic - capturing this year’s title by defeating Bob Gottlieb’s upstart Branch West team in an all-Southern California final.
Top West Coast standouts I saw here include:
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Brandon Jennings 6’1” Jr. Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson VA)
This SoCal native simply willed SCA to the title this year, helping SCA bounce back from a decisive pool play defeat to Team Texas and sparking them to their 2nd title in two years. Besides making it rain from three-point range, BJ also displayed an eye-popping athleticism (his two hand baseline stuff against M33Magic was one of the best in tourney history). Once committed to USC, Jennings has just reopened his recruitment and lists the Trojans, UConn and Arizona as the three teams likely to get his signed letter of intent next November. Jennings is arguably the best “true” point in the nation and a legitimate Top 5 national prospect.
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Jason Paul (JP) Olukemi 6’6” Jr. Stoneridge School (Simi Valley CA)
One of the revelations of the event, JP is a strong and athletic swingman that is explosive to the basket as well as a threat to knock down perimeter shots. Olukemi also has the physical tools to be a lock-down defender as well. Washington, USC, Marquette, Cal, Washington State, Tennessee and UTEP among schools starting to show interest.
Troy Gillenwater 6’7” Jr. Stoneridge School (Simi Valley CA)
Playing for a new club team is not always a smooth transition and Troy had moments of passiveness here, but to his credit he made enough big plays at both ends of the floor to help compliment Brandon Jennings and give SCA a potent 1-2 punch that was good enough to bring home the hardware.
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Luke Babbitt 6’8” Jr. Galena (Reno NV)
Cerebral and multi-skilled combo-forward has an excellent feel for the game and looks to be a great addition to his future college team: Ohio State.
Olek Czyz 6’8” Jr. Reno (Reno NV)
I’ll have to admit that Olek did not pass my “look” test” at first glance here, but he did grow on me in a hurry as he possesses both good court instincts as well as deceptive athleticism and agility and looks to be a big man in great demand this spring. One to definitely track.
Julyan Stone 6’6” Sr. Dos Pueblos (Santa Barbara CA)
Very intriguing lead guard prospect is a very good ballhandler and defender and a top Class of 2007 West Coast sleeper this year. Stone’s versatility makes him a valuable late signee this spring.
Tyreese Breshers 6’6” Jr. Price (Los Angeles CA)
Undersized but burly and athletic power-forward took advantage of the lack of elite athletic post-forwards here and asserted authority on a consistent basis in the paint. Long considered a Top 150 prospect, Tyreese made a strong case for Top 100 status by end of the event and was the anchor that helped propel BWBA to the Finals
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Renaldo Woolridge 6’8” Jr. Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood CA)
While Woolridge is not by any means a finished product at this point, those that refuse to see that this athletic forward with very nice perimeter skills is oozing with potential do not understand the concept of “upside.” Woolridge scored well here (had 22 points against Portland Legends and 24 points versus Arizona Magic White) and is a prospect that will continue to get better with hard work and experience.
Zareh Zagaryan 6’7” Sr. Hoover (Glendale CA)
Skilled “point” forward is a multi-dimensional player that impacts the game in many ways. Excellent passer and above-average ballhandler for size, Zareh is apparently bound for prep school next year to shore up academics.
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Malik Story 6’5” Jr. Artesia (Lakewood CA)
Sharp-shooting off-guard has committed to USC for quite sometime. Reportedly intends to transfer to Oak Hill for senior year.
Colin Borchert 6’9” So. Mountain Ridge (Glendale AZ)
Tall, athletic and skilled, Borchert really helped the SW Rebels give SCA a scare in pool play by slicing, dicing and carving up the SCA defense. To say Borchert has tremendous upside is an understatement!
Cheyne Martin 6’2” Sr. Laguna Beach (Laguna Beach CA)
High scoring combo-guard can really shoot the rock as well as take defenders off the dribble.
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Genesis Maciel 6’9” Sr. Centennial (Compton CA)
Skilled post is not very athletic but he can bury that mid-range jump shot. Wyoming, UTEP, San Jose State, Hartford and Santa Clara among schools showing interest.
Chris Solomon 6’2” Jr. Fairfax (Los Angeles CA)
Lefty combo-guard had a very junior year (helping Fairfax win the California State Division I championship) and is now shooting the ball with great confidence.
Alex Tucker 6’0” Sr. Redondo Union (Redondo Beach CA)
Quick point guard knows how to run a team and sets the table well for teammates.
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Malcolm Campbell 6’10” Sr. Fairfax (Los Angeles CA)
Young (still just 17 years old) and inexperienced center is making good progress and has potential to develop into a solid post player once he fully grows into his size 21 shoes.
Jason Pruitt 6’2” Jr. View Park (Los Angeles CA)
Speedy lead guard is almost un-guardable off the dribble. Younger brother of USC star Gabriel Pruitt led View Park (in its 1st varsity season) to the California Division V State Finals this past year. Pruitt is one of the top West Coast sleepers that could garner increasing interest as we approach the summer.
Klay Thompson 6’6” Jr. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita CA)
Thompson was somewhat disappointing in that he often deferred too often to other SCA players like Jennings and Story and never seemed to be in sync like he was during his HS season. However, too skilled and smooth to be overlooked, Thompson has attributes similar to Renaldo Woolridge – NBA dad and tremendous upside.
Cosmo Morrabi 6’2” Sr. Beverly Hills (Beverly Hills CA)
Oustanding perimeter shooter hit key shots for BWBA all tourney long. Prep school might be a possible option.
Demetrius Walker 6’2” So. Fontana (Fontana CA)
Walker appears to be awakening from his 1 ½ year slump and starting to show signs that he has the potential to develop into a legitimate mid-major-plus D-I player. Athletic wing runs floor well but still needs to develop a consistent perimeter shot to get back to high-major status.
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Darian Norris 6’0” Jr. Mojave (Las Vegas NV)
Although the LV Easter Classic was not one of his better performances, do not sleep on Norris – a complete point guard with a lethal outside stroke who also is a pesky defender.
Durrell Norman 6’4” Sr. Serrano (Phelan CA)
Athletic wing is a slicing scorer and underrated defender.
Michael Elliott 6’0” Jr. Canyon Springs (Las Vegas NV)
One of the West Coast’s top junior sleeper point guards, Eliott is an excellent defender and dependable ballhandler.
Shayar Lee 6’4” Jr. Apollo (Glendale AZ)
Slithering wing can score in transition. Long arms and build make him a potential defensive stopper.
Deonta Burton 6’0” Fr. Cabrillo (Long Beach CA)
Quick and aggressive lead guard is an excellent defender and a name that we will be hearing a lot about in the future.
Trevor Hopkins 5’11” Jr. San Marcos (Santa Barbara CA
Quick playmaker a has nice pull-up jumper. Excellent student.
Dijon Horne 6’2” Sr. Ocean View (Huntington Beach CA)
Excellent on-ball defender is also an underrated three-point threat.
Xavier Thames 6’3” So. Pleasant Grove (Sacramento CA)
Athletic slashing scorer can really get to the cup and finish.
Craig Payne 6’5” So. Etiwanda (Etiwanda CA)
Strong and physical combo-forward makes his presence felt in the paint and is a very underrated perimeter shooter.
Terran Carter 6’5” So. Taft (Woodland Hills CA)
Active forward plays much bigger that size.
Milos Knezevic 6’6” So. Liberty (Las Vegas NV)
Strong and skilled forward has nice face-up skills. Very good student.
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Curtis Malone 6’4” Jr. El Dorado (Las Vegas NV)
Savvy and slick wing has nice ability to beat defenders off the dribble.
Damiene Cain 6’6” 8th Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood CA)
Young but talented forward has tremendous upside. Led Compton Magic to 15 & under title this past weekend.
Chris James 6’0” Sr. Cimarron-Memorial (Las Vegas NV)
Undersized off-guard can score.
Justin Hawkins 6’2” So. Taft (Woodland Hills CA)
Savvy combo-guard has a knack for making plays at both ends.
Anthony Marshall 6’2” So. Mojave (Las Vegas NV)
Athletic wing is great off the dribble and can finish in transition.
Julius Von Hanzlik 6’4” Jr. Beverly Hills (Beverly Hills CA)
Very good shooter was not 100% healthy here (ankle) but is one to track later on this spring.
Redmond Parker 6’7” Sr. St. Thomas More(Oakdale CT)
Casa CA native is a quick and athletic player around the basket..
James Dean 6’3” Jr. Centennial (Las Vegas NV)
Hardworking wing is scrappy on the hardwood and a great student in the classroom.
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