Damien Classic: Standouts & Risers

Who took in two days of the Basic at Damien (La Verne, Calif.) and went over our notes to give you 10 stock-risers who’re sure to get extra consideration from school coaches sooner or later. The gamers vary from High 10 future McDonald’s All-Individuals to sleeper D1 prospects.

The Massive Three Juniors

Carter Bryant, Sage Hill (Newport Seaside, Calif.) 6-9 2024 SF
When wanting on the panorama of the highschool basketball scene at present, a lot of the High 50 gamers in every nationwide class play with one other High 50 participant. It’s simply the character of the enterprise proper now, as most elite gamers look to staff with different elites. That is actually not the case for the gifted Bryant, who spent his first two seasons at an Orange County public faculty (Fountain Valley) and is now at a small non-public faculty the place he performs for his father (former Lengthy Seaside St. participant D’Cean Bryant). The mud shouldn’t be near settling, however there may very well be a while earlier than the the 2024 cycle is full the place it received’t be a stretch to say Bryant is its greatest long-term prospect. The best way the rankings are at present compiled it received’t occur, however he’s that gifted. He does want to point out he can dominate a excessive stage highschool and/or grassroots recreation, however the instruments and package deal is there. He can see the sport, go out out of the double staff, shoot excessive of an oncoming double, has a very good stroke, and may shortly end performs across the rim with out wasted movement within the mould of the late Len Bias. He’s scheduled to make his official go to to Arizona on Feb. 24 and the Wildcats are the clear chief within the clubhouse to get a dedication.

Zoom Diallo, Curtis (College Place, Wash.) 6-4 2024 PG
When this energy level guard, he has the look of a future NBA participant. He’s already one of many nation’s greatest prospects and arguably the very best prospect at his place within the 2024 class. The polish to his recreation continues to shine via, as he’s by no means rushed and all the time below management. Along with a very good first step and tight deal with, Diallo makes use of a fast pull as much as preserve defenders trustworthy and has the energy to complete via excessive main contact. Diallo outplayed highly-regarded level guard Tyler Rolison in a straightforward first spherical victory over St. Bernard (Playa del Rey, Calif.) and went for 22 factors in a 66-62 quarterfinal victory over battled-tested American Fork (Utah). The defending Class 4A state champions battled FAB 50 No. 13 Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood, Calif.) within the platinum division semifinals.

Dedan Thomas Jr., Liberty (Henderson, Nev.) 6-1 2024 PG
Just like Diallo, Thomas is without doubt one of the greatest level guards within the nation and has his staff within the platinum division semifinals, the place Liberty battled Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.). Thomas has lengthy been thought-about the very best level guard within the West Area within the 2024 class and nothing he’s completed recently will change that notion, though a powerful case can now be made for Diallo. It has nothing to do Thomas’ play; Diallo is simply that good. Thomas has a really feel for the sport that isn’t taught and a novel inside-out recreation that makes him a troublesome verify. He is aware of how one can preserve his dribble in tight areas, can end from quite a lot of angles, and is a giant shot maker from the surface. Thomas is seeking to lead a younger Liberty membership to a second consecutive NIAA Class 5A title and has two official visits arrange within the coming months. One to UCLA and one to Arizona.

Match Quick-Risers
(Listed Alphabetically)

Isaiah Fields, West Ranch (Valencia, Calif.) 6-6 2023 SF
The get away performer of the Southern California highschool scene up to now, Fields is a rangy athlete with size who can run the ground and end. He can also knock down an open jumper and competes for unfastened balls. He’s a mid-major athlete with an rising talent set, however it’ll stay to be seen at which stage he finally ends up as a result of his grades should predict. Fields is an ideal candidate to develop extra at a JUCO or portal up down the road.

Jalen Glenn, Inderkum (Sacramento, Calif.) 6-5 2023 SF
We’ve been excessive on Glenn for a while now and he continued to impress at The Basic. Glenn has all of the makings of a gifted low main plus wing and can run via a brick wall in principally any system. Not solely is he robust, Glenn is a wonderful rebounder and an underrated passer in each the half court docket and on the break. Glenn had a terrific matchup with Etiwanda’s D1-bound wing, 6-foot-7 Curtis Williams, and held his personal. In that matchup, it was clear Williams’ defensive capabilities present Glenn shouldn’t shoot too excessive almost about stage he’ll finally play at. He has some D2 curiosity and is ready to see if any D1 will are available late. Massive West and Massive Sky applications could be good to take an extended look. As for Williams, San Diego St. is the chief within the clubhouse for his companies.

Julian Gomez, La Mirada (Calif.) 6-3 2025 SG
This gifted lefty combo guard has been ripping up all comers up to now for a Matadores membership that has superior to the Silver Division semifinals. Gomez is a pure scorer who handles the ball properly sufficient to see minutes on the one on the following stage. How a lot he grows will decide at what stage he finally settles in to. Gomez has a terrific outdoors shot, will get by sufficient defenders to create pictures for himself and others, and has a terrific array of strikes across the basket. Gomez can be unselfish and strikes his ft properly on protection. His current play has reportedly earned him a D1 supply from UCSB and he’ll be intently watch on the grassroots circuit this upcoming spring and summer time.

Doug Langford, St. Pius-St. Matthias (Downey, Calif.) 6-8 2025 PF
Loads of nationwide scouts and a few school coaches intently watched Langford’s teammate, 6-foot-6 2024 wing Tyrone Riley, however the ones with a pointy eye are additionally monitoring this gifted publish participant. He was a get away performer on the Part 7 dwell scholastic occasion in June and continued his upward tick in La Verne. Langford’s greatest trait is he is aware of what he’s: a back-to-the again ahead who takes up area and scores inside whereas staying at dwelling defensively. Langford has a very good base and good ft beneath him and is rarely caught off-balance. He additionally compliments these ft with stable basic strikes and footwork within the publish. Langford additionally possesses good palms on the catch and retains the ball excessive. One other St. Pius-St. Matthias 2025 prospect to observe is 6-foot-3 taking pictures guard Tariq Bridges, who shot properly from the surface.

Hudson Mayes, Redondo Union (Redondo Seaside, Calif.) 6-3 2025 SG
The Seahawks could also be taking their lumps now, however the staff can be a lot improved to make a CIF Southern Part playoff push as their younger items get recreation expertise. Mayes is probably the most gifted of the lot, as he received eligible after the 30-day sit out interval and made a constructive impression at The Basic. Mayes’ body stands out straight away, then watching his recreation you discover how easy offensively he’s. Mayes can get by defenders with ease and sees the sport in entrance of him a step or two forward. He additionally makes use of a pleasant crossover dribble and is a succesful defender. One other gifted guard for coach Reggie Morris Jr. is 6-foot-3 2024 Devin Ringer, a very good outdoors shooter with quickness. S.J. Madison, a 6-foot-4 2026, is one other terrific guard prospect within the fold.

Caleb Newton, Birmingham (Van Nuys, Calif.) 6-3 2026 SG
The Patriots have produced fairly a crop of gifted gamers up to now 10 years and for veteran coach Nic Halic this gifted guard is the newest off the meeting line. Newton is a terrific shooter and was dialed in from downtown within the two video games we evaluated. Newton is a top quality ball-handler and has good instincts on each side of the ball. California’s 2026 class is off to a fantastic begin and conservatively Newton is a High 15 participant and at some point may very well be a nationwide High 150 prospect.

Aaron Powell, Campbell Corridor (North Hollywood, Calif.) 6-1 2024 PG
We’ve tracked Powell’s progress since center faculty and he continues to enhance practically each time we consider him. Powell has improved his bodily attributes, and on the identical time, his explosiveness and that’s unusual for a lot of highschool prospects. Not solely is Powell’s physique maturing, he’s taking and hitting high quality pictures, making good reads for teammates and displaying good defensive traits. Powell not solely makes an influence on each ends of the ground, he’s additionally a top quality pupil and that has aided his recruiting choices. Among the many faculties which have provided, Arizona St., Portland and the College of San Diego are recruiting him the toughest.

Ronnie Flores is the nationwide Grassroots editor of Ballislife.com. He might be reached at [email protected]. Don’t neglect to observe him on Twitter: @RonMFlores