From the moment he first took the floor in December 2005, 6’3” junior Roberto Nelson (Santa Barbara/Santa Barbara CA) was an impact HS player and top national prospect. Nelson would go on to garner California State Freshman of the Year honors that season as well as seeing heavy recruiting interest from the likes of Ohio State (his father hails from Columbus OH), UCLA, Arizona and Washington. Nelson’s soph year would also be a strong one – one highlight was Roberto complimenting two future McDonald’s All-Americans (Brandon Jennings and DeMar DeRozan) on a run to the title game at the 2007 Arizona Cactus Classic (with his Belmont Shore squad finishing as runners-up to the New York Gauchos), but his 25 point performance in the championship game would resonate with national scouts and place him firmly within the ranks of the

nation’s best. Unfortunately, there would be a pause in Nelson’s basketball production during his junior campaign. Affected by serious off-the court family issues as well as physical injuries, Roberto would see his play diminish compared to past years and his once lofty player standing drop substantially. To his credit and resolve, Nelson faced the adversity of those problems and has bounced back recently to the promise of his younger years – leading his new club team Compton Magic to two straight championship game finishes - 2008 Las Vegas Spring Showcase (beating Belmont Shore 100-81 in the final) and 2008 Arizona Cactus Classic (being edged 70-67 by Houston Hoops in the title game). In a year when most of the top national names have failed to excite the national media and fans, Nelson has been one of the major stories and “surprises” of the spring. Nelson’s 34 points (based in large part on 8 incredible 3-point bombs) against Belmont Shore in Las Vegas may have been the best offensive show I have seen so far this year and Roberto’s perimeter stroke became as hot as the desert heat in Tucson as he averaged 25.1 ppg with offensive outbursts like his 32 points versus the New York Gauchos, 32 points against Team Jones, 35 points on the Northwest Panthers (semi-finals) and 29 points vs. Houston Hoops (finals). Even more impressive than his deep range was Nelson’s accuracy all-tourney long – shooting 62.9 % from the field and an eye-opening 54.8% (23-42) from the 3-point arc. Nelson’s play as of late has made him a real 2009 McDonald’s All-American Game contender as well as a name to follow closely this summer.

Other West Coast standouts that participated here include 6’7” junior Jordan Hamilton (Dominguez/Compton CA), 6’1” junior Peyton Siva (Franklin/Seattle WA), 6’3” junior Avery Bradley (Bellermine Prep/Tacoma WA), 6’3” junior Abdul Gaddy (Bellermine Prep/Tacoma WA), 6’8” junior Joe Burton (West Valley/Hemet CA), 6’7” junior Hollis Thompson (Loyola/Los Angeles CA), 6’1” soph Gary Franklin (Mater Dei/Santa Ana CA), 6’3” junior Darius Morris (Windward/Los Angeles CA), 6’3” junior Xavier Thames (Sacramento/Sacramento CA), 6’5” junior Thurman Woods (Dominguez/Compton CA), 6’5” junior Michael Snaer (Rancho Verde/Moreno Valley CA), 6’6” junior Solomon Hill (Fairfax/Los Angeles CA), 6’5” frosh Tony Wroten (Roosevelt/Seattle WA), 6’9” junior Chris Cunningham (Diamond Ranch/Diamond Bar CA), 6’2” junior Anthony Marshall (Mojave/Las Vegas NV), 6’5” soph Tyler Lamb (Colony/Ontario CA), 6’2” soph Deonta Burton (Cabrilo/Long Beach CA), 6’7” junior Mike Moser (Grant/Portland OR), 5’11” frosh Cezar Guerrero (St. John Bosco/Bellflower CA) and 6’3” senior Kyle Fogg
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(Brea-Olinda/Brea CA). Siva (a big-time scoring point) just commited to Louisville this past week and Bradley and Gaddy overcame an OT loss to Belmont Shore in pool play to carry the NW Panthers to the tourney semi-finals. While Belmont Shore’s Woods is not a household name yet, he is quickly becoming recognized as one of California’s top 2009 sleepers. Woods reminds me of former Long Beach State star and Seattle Supersonic James Cotton – a long armed and athletic HS post player that is showing signs of evolving into a potent swingman due to his legitimate three-point stroke and defensive quickness. Thurman (an all-tourney selection in Tucson) averaged 17.7 ppg with an outstanding trio of performances versus FBC-Perris (28 points/14 boards), Northwest Panthers (20 points/9 boards) and Compton Magic (25 points/6 boards)…………….. Woods’ Belmont Shore teammate Fogg has seen his recruitment skyrocket this spring and his continued impressive play has attracted serious coast-to-coast interest from the likes of Providence (has

officially visited), St. John’s, Texas, Indiana, UNLV (has un-officially visited), San Francisco (has officially visited), San Diego State (has un-officially visited), Oregon State, Fresno State, South Florida, Boise State, Colorado, Hawaii, Rhode Island, UC-Irvine, New Orleans and Arizona (where he will officially visit this Sunday). Fogg hopes to make a decision by the end of May if not sooner………………On May 3-4, the inaugural GBOA West regional was held at USC (Los Angeles CA) and it was Branch West edging Inland in the championship game 49-47 to take home the hardware. 6’5” senior Eric Wise (King/Riverside CA) and 6’0” senior Alex Tucker (Summit Prep/Simi Valley CA) were the key catalysts for Bob Gottlieb’s Branch West squad. The very underrated Wise (expected to sign with UC-Irvine) is a very productive inside player who really knows how to use his wide body well (scored 19 points in title game) while Tucker (named the tourney MVP) is a very quick point who consistently beat defenders off-the dribble and dished off 8 assists in the final. Tucker is among the top available unsigned senior points in the West. 6’5” junior Michael Snaer (Rancho Verde/Moreno Valley CA) was terrific all weekend for Inland - whose route to the title game included 4 straight wins (one coming in pool play over LA Dream Team and 6’10” junior Renardo Sidney)………….. 6’4” senior Ryan Kelley (Diamond Ranch/Diamond Bar CA) has signed with Colorado. Kelley is a smooth wing player with an accurate perimeter stroke……………6’2” soph Royce Woolridge (Sunnyslope/Phoenix AZ) was quick to accept a scholarship to Kansas when the Jayhawks offered recently. Royce is a strong and explosive scorer built out of the Gilbert Arenas-mold……………San Diego State hit the “daily double” this week – getting two talented Pepperdine transfers: 6’8” Malcolm Thomas and 6’6” Tyrone Shelley. Thomas is a skilled and athletic combo-forward with pro potential while Shelley is a prolific scorer with high-major athleticism. Both players will sit out the 2008-09 season and have three years of eligibility thereafter. Coach Steve Fisher has definitely upgraded the talent in his Aztec program………………..Speaking of Pepperdine, two former Wave signees found new college homes this spring: 5’10” Paul McCoy (Grant/Portland OR) has signed with SMU and 6’4” Brad Tinsley (Oregon City/Oregon City OR) inked with Vanderbilt………………Two of San Diego’s most underrated 2008 prospects signed with Division II schools recently: 6’2” Daniel Trammel (El Camino/Oceanside CA) signed with San Francisco State while 6’0” Spencer Moyer signed with Chico State…………..North Carolina’s 6’9” power forward Alex Stepheson has announced that he transferring after two seasons in the Tar Heel program in order to return closer to his family in Los Angeles (his father has been ill recently). Look for UCLA, USC, Arizona State and Cal to be possible destinations.

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