dinos rankings

socalogo.gif (8739 bytes)
SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Fullcourt Press Releases Post-Summer
Class Of 2002 Rankings--(August 11, 2000)

We haven't had time to update our own lists of top players since the late spring (note, we don't call them "rankings" even though some people view them that way), but that doesn't stop us from making known and publicizing other people's rankings and lists of top players, in SoCal, whether that's Clark Francis at the HoopScoop, Recruiting USA (Rockfish), Double Pump's selected Cage Report top players, PacWestHoops, or, in this case, the latest rankings from Dinos Trigonis at Fullcourt Press, which were released in the last two days.

The rankings can be found at several links at Fullcourt Press, all available at the "Articles & Notes" section of the site. But for the sake of putting them all in one place, here is how Dinos has ranked the Southern California class of rising juniors (class of 2002), working from each of the positions on the floor (Note--All the commentary and observations are those of Dinos Trigonis. If you don't agree, don't blame us for these rankings, because they are his, not ours):

Fullcourt Press Top 10 Point Guards

1. Patrick Haddan    6'1" Woodbridge (Irvine CA)
2. Jason McKinney    5'10" Inglewood (Inglewood CA)
3 .Keith Ellison    6'0" Redondo Union (Redondo Beach CA)
4. Carlos Rivers    5'10" Poly (Long Beach CA)
5. David Gale    6'0" Buckley (Sherman Oaks CA)
6. Ashanti Cook    6'1" Westchester (Los Angeles CA)
7. Omar Amaral    5'11" Bolsa Grande (Garden Grove CA)
8. Shaun Davis    5'9" Lincoln (San Diego CA)
9. Aaron Tudor    6'2" Trabuco Hills (Mission Viejo CA)
10..Jamar Sloan    5'9" Centennial (Compton CA)

Brief Overview: This group reminds me of the Southern California Class of 1998 point guard group that included Deandre Moore (Vanderbilt/San Diego State), David Abramowitz (San Diego State), Brandon Granville (USC), Flinder Boyd (Darthmouth), Chris McMillan (Wyoming) and Bradley Jackson (San Diego State/College of Southern Idaho). A solid grab-bag bunch of point guards with no clear big time prospect. In retrospect, this group has a mixed record with Moore, Abramowitz and Jackson struggling to some degree so far at the college level but Granville beat out Kevin Augustine to become the Trojans’ starting point guard as a freshman, Boyd has been a two-year starter for the Big Green and was #11 in the nation in Division I assists last season and McMillan has also started for the Mountain West Cowboys. On to the Class of 2002 group.

There is no clear cut choice for the #1 spot among this group but Haddan (a Mater Monarch the past two seasons) gets the early nod primarily due to his long term potential and combination of speed and size vis-a-vis the other top guards in this group. Patrick has nice size (6'1") and athleticism (he was Serra League champion in the 400 hurdles) and can really push the rock. Continued improvement in his outside shot to go along with a Jason Williams (Sacramento Kings)-type game could make him a sought after recruit next summer. And by the way...it doesn’t hurt that he carries a 3.5 GPA too. Will someone tell Woodbridge coach John Halagan that he has the #1 junior point guard in Orange County and in Southern California. McKinney has very nice quickness, strength and spunk, but his lack of size (his is a small 5'10") and sometimes questionable decision making, hinders his ability to be considered among the elite guards in the nation. Ellison (a cousin of former Washington State and New Mexico State guard Dominic Ellison) is a relatively unknown prospect to most observers since he missed all of his sophomore year due to a leg injury. Keith is not flashy, but may be the most fundamentally sound floor leader of the group, making few mental mistakes with real ability to run a team. Ellison is also the starting quarterback for the Redondo football team and combines with 6'7" senior Dijon Thompson to give Redondo one of the best backcourts on the West Coast. With improvement in his jump shot and full recovery from his injury, Keith could contend for the #1 spot in this group. Rivers (like McKinney) is lacking in size, but not in speed and quickness! The heir apparent to Missouri-bound Wesley Stokes will have the opportunity to show his scoring ability this upcoming season. Rounding out the "Top 5" is Gale - a sweet shooting lead guard who also has potential to contend for the top spot in this group. With increased strength and quickness, David could very well surpass those listed above. Cook has very nice size with terrific potential and could join the other top guards in this group if can show that he can make plays during games. Ashanti has striking similarities to former Westchester/Inglewood star Jason Hart (who graduated from Syracuse and is now with the Milwaukee Bucks). Amaral is an excellent passer that can also score, Davis is a jet-quick point that can push the rock, Tudor is a solid floor general while Sloan is a scrappy point that plays sound defense.

Other Junior Point Guards Worth Noting

David Anderson 5'11" Thousand Oaks (Thousand Oaks CA)
Jeremiah Barnes 5'9" Rowland (Rowland Heights CA)
Brendan Behan 5'9" Redondo Union (Redondo Beach CA)
Justin Bell 5'11" Escondido (Escondido CA)
Herbie Brown 5'11" Cabrillo (Long Beach CA)
Talani Calhoun 5'10" Notre Dame (Riverside CA)
Eugene Carey 5'9" Lakewood (Lakewood CA)
Marvin Carraway 5'11" Washington Union (Fresno CA)
Patrick Chu 5'9" Poly (Long Beach CA)
Julius Coleman 5'10" Upland (Upland CA)
Jacob Crawley 5'7" Artesia (Lakewood CA)
Jemar Davis 5'10" Pacific (San Bernardino CA)
Jonathan Davis 6'0" Oxnard (Oxnard CA)
Dante Derose 5'10" Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara CA)
Aaron Gipson 5'9" Fontana (Fontana CA)
Ramar Green 5'7" Claremont (Claremont CA)
Mark Holmquist 5'10" Saugus (Santa Clarita CA)
Eugene Jeter 5'8" Serra (Gardena CA)
Chris Johnson 5'9" Manual Arts (Los Angeles CA)
Rommel Marentez 5'11" St. Augustine (San Diego CA)
Carl McCullough 6'0" El Camino (Oceanside CA)
Joshua Myles 5'11" Bishop Amat (La Puente CA)
Reed Nakagawa 5'10" El Dorado (Placentia CA)
Greg Nelson 5'10" Carlsbad (Carlsbad CA)
Randy Rogers 5'8" Sonora (La Habra CA)
Travis Rogers 5'8" Sonora (La Habra CA)
Dominique Sims 5'11" Sonora (La Habra CA)
Jonathan Smith 5'8" Centennial (Compton CA)
Chris Tarne 6'0" Crescenta Valley (La Crescenta CA)
Jason Taylor 5'11" Canyon (Anaheim CA)
Mike Washington 5'10" Poly (Long Beach CA)
Craig Weinstein 6'0" Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood CA)

Top 10 Combo-Guards

1a. Tim Drisdom 6'3" Calvary Chapel (Downey CA)
1b. Brandon Heath 6'2" Westchester (Los Angeles CA)
3. Keion Kindred 6'3" Dominguez (Compton CA)
4. Giovanni St. Amant 6'2" St. John Bosco (Bellflower CA)
5. Jamaal Hall 6'2" Muir (Pasadena CA)
6. Travis Smith 6'3" Santa Margarita (Santa Margarita CA)
7. Matt Llewellyn 6'2" Loyola (Los Angeles CA)
8. Fernando Samson 6'1" Fairfax (Los Angeles CA)
9. Dante Bradford 6'0" Mayfair (Lakewood CA)
10. Matt McCraw 6'1" Mayfair (Lakewood CA)

Brief Overview: Drisdom and Heath share the mantle of the #1 ranking at this position after Heath’s stellar play at both the Nike All-American Camp and Rim Rattler All-West Camp could not be ignored! Drisdom has an outstanding handle and ideal size for a lead guard while Heath is a great competitor who is an outstanding defender and streaky outside shooter. Kindred is an excellent defender and a terrific athlete, St. Amant (a cousin of Schea Cotton) is a very underrated guard that can score in a variety of ways and Hall is a sleeper with real potential. Smith is a hardnosed player that is a rock solid ballhandler, Llewellyn can really tingle the cords from beyond the 3-point arc and Samson is a really improved combo-guard. Bradford and McCraw both are important contributors for a very strong Mayfair squad coached by Dave Breig.

Other Combo-Guards Worth Mentioning

Lee Abair 6'2" Oxnard (Oxnard CA)
Lauren Brown 6'1" St. Anthony (Long Beach CA)
Derrick Clark 6'1" Leuzinger (Hawthorne CA)
Trenton Cleveland 6'1" Burbank (Burbank CA)]
Jason Collins 6'0" Victor Valley (Victorville CA)
Dontae Foster 6'2" Washington (Los Angeles CA)
Jamel Gay 6'1" Poly (Long Beach CA)
Travon George 6'1" Jordan (Los Angeles CA)
Stephen Graaybil 6'2" Dos Pueblos (Goleta CA)
Jakarri Hunt 6'1" Wilson (Long Beach CA)
Asher Kupperman 6'0" San Marcos (Santa Barbara CA)
Austin Martinez 6'0" Costa Mesa (Costa Mesa CA)
Brian McFadden 6'1" Mayfair (Lakewood CA)
Evan Moore 6'4" Brea-Olinda (Brea CA)
Alex Nieto 6'1" The Bishop’s School (La Jolla CA)
Hamtin Nunley 6'2" St. Monica (Santa Monica CA)
Donald Quiroz 6'1" St. John Bosco (Bellflower CA)
Malik Rahh 6'0" San Pedro (Los Angeles CA)
Quinton Rogers 6'0" Nogales (La Puente CA)
Leon Rosborough 6'2" Canyon Springs (Moreno Valley CA)
Will Sheslow 6'1" Chaminade (West Hills CA)
Hayden Socci 6'0" Santa Margarita (Santa Margarita CA)
Brian Thomas 6'1" Mayfair (Lakewood CA)
Ben Wholfeil 6'0" Christian (San Diego CA)
Dino Wilburn 6'1" Pasadena (Pasadena CA)
Josh Zazulia 6'1" Palm Desert (Palm Desert

Wings/Off-Guards

1.Evan Burns 6'7" Fairfax (Los Angeles CA)
2.Hassan Adams 6'4" Westchester (Los Angeles CA)
3.Brandon Rohe 6'3" Santa Margarita (Santa Margarita CA)
4.Geoffrey Clayton 6'4" Magnolia (Anaheim CA)
5.Dominic Freeman 6'4" Millikan (Long Beach CA)
6.Richard Chaney 6'4" Centennial (Compton CA)
7.Tye-Juan Hatter 6'5" Upland (Upland CA)
8.Donald Wilson 6'3" Dorsey (Los Angeles CA)
9.Mike Strawberry 6'4" Mater Dei (Santa Ana CA)
10.Joel Smith 6'5" Lompoc (Lompoc CA)
11.Reggie Butler 6'5" Poly (Long Beach CA)
12.Nate Carter 6'4" Lincoln (San Diego CA)
13.Kevin Stacey 6'3" Santa Margarita (Santa Margarita CA)
14.Lenny Collins 6'4" Santa Margarita (Santa Margarita CA)
15.Michael Mehanna 6'2" Glendora (Glendora CA)

Brief Overview: Burns is a phenomenal athlete and Top 10 national junior prospect with great skills and size for a wing player (his ideal college position), Adams is big time national sleeper who played outstanding at both the Rim Rattler All-West Camp and Las Vegas Big Time Tourney and Rohe (an ABCD Camp invitee) is an excellent three-point shooter with terrific court instincts. Clayton is a fine athlete that had a nice junior season, Freeman is athletic with improved perimeter skills and Chaney (a Lynwood HS transfer) has the type of long and athletic build that college coaches look for in a wing prospect. Hatter has a big time body with a ton of potential, Wilson can put the floor well and can score in transition while Strawberry has always been an excellent athlete, but still need to improve his perimeter skills to reach his full potential. Smith introduced himself to college coaches this summer and showed he had real promise to be a solid Division I recruit, Butler could the best athlete Coach Ron Palmer has had at Poly in his 3 decades as the Jackrabbits head coach, Carter is a slashing scorer and Stacey is an underrated athlete that has 3-point range. Collins and Mehanna are outstanding shooters.

Other Wings/Off-Guards to Track

Joe Abrahams 6'2" Crossroads (Santa Monica CA)
Mike Axelson 6'3" Coronado (San Diego CA)
Travis Bean 6'3" Pasadena (Pasadena CA)
Daniel Boardman 6'4" Jurupa Valley (Mira Loma CA)
Marlon Brisco 6'3" Morningside (Inglewood CA)
Jonathan Brown 6'3" Cabrillo (Long Beach CA)
Nick Buckley 6'3" Wilson (Long Beach CA)
Sean Carey 6'3" Gabrielino (San Gabriel CA)
Casey Clark 6'3" Fountain Valley (Fountain Valley CA)
Rummel Clark 6'3" Cajon (San Bernardino CA)
JoVance Coleman 6'4" Hoover (Fresno CA)
Richard Coombs 6'3" Diamond Ranch (Diamond Bar CA)
Nick Debban 6'3" Clovis West (Fresno CA)
Malcolm Ford 6'2" Poly (Long Beach CA)
Jake Franzen 6'3" Capistrano Valley (Mission Viejo CA)
Kenneth Frazier 6'4" Rubidoux (Riverside CA)
Dale Graham 6'3" Washington Union (Fresno CA)
John Haywood 6'3" Bishop Amat (La Puente CA)
Jacob Johnson 6'3" Etiwanda (Etiwanda CA)
Carver Kennerson 6'2" La Habra (La Habra CA)
Gavin Lee 6'4" Bishop Montgomery (Torrance CA)
Connor Leffler 6'2" Capistrano Valley (Mission Viejo CA)
Delanta Lewis 6'2" Bellflower (Bellflower CA)
Shaun Lokar 6'4" Western Christian (Covina CA)
Jeremy Lopez 6'4" Poly (Riverside CA)
Christopher Marcellino 6'3" La Jolla (La Jolla)
Cory McJimson 6'5" Fontana (Fontana CA)
Donovan Morris 6'3" Cajon (San Bernardino CA)
Robert Neyland 6'2" La Canada (La Canada CA)
Brandon Nicholson 6'2" Jordan (Long Beach CA)
Charles Poindexter 6'4" Upland (Upland CA)
Kevin Prins 6'1" Calvin Christian (Escondido CA)
Derron Putnam 6'2" Canyon (Anaheim CA)
Terron Redmond 6'3" Pasadena (Pasadena CA)
J.R. Reese 6'3" Centennial (Corona CA)
Joktan Roberts 6'4" Horizon Christian (San Diego CA)
Jordan Rush 6'4" Crossroads (Santa Monica CA)
Matt Sweany 6'3" Capistrano Valley (Mission Viejo CA)
Kevin Tatum 6'4" Edison (Fresno CA)
Mike Thompson 6'3" Victor Valley (Victorville CA)
Justin Thurman 6'3" Murphy (Los Angeles CA)
Terrell Ward 6'3" Wilson (Long Beach CA)
Mac Warren 6'2" St. John Bosco (Bellflower CA)
James Webster 6'3" Trabuco Hills (Mission Viejo CA)
Greg White 6'3" The Bishop’s School (La Jolla CA)
Ike Williams 6'5" Murrieta Valley (Murrieta CA)

Combo-Forwards

1.Jamaal Walls6'7"Crenshaw (Los Angeles CA)
2.Bobby Jones6'6"Dominguez (Compton CA)
3.Bryant Markson6'6"Monrovia (Monrovia CA)
4.Darius Sanders6'5"Dominguez (Compton CA)
5.Adam Zahn6'7"Redondo Union (Redondo Beach CA)
6.Keith Everage6'5"Westchester (Los Angeles CA)
7.Travis Niesen6'6"Mission Viejo (Mission Viejo CA)
8.Shamar Shire6'6"San Diego (San Diego CA)
9.Terrence Jones6'6"Crenshaw (Los Angeles CA)
10.Shaddean Aaron6'5"Claremont (Claremont CA)

Brief Overview: This is a strong group with several solid Division I prospects. Walls (who has played mostly inside at both the HS and club levels) has a big time body with very underrated perimeter skills. Jamaal has the potential to become a Jamal Mashburn-type forward at the high major college level and was impressive in the Rim Rattler All-West Camp Top 20 All-Star Game. Bobby Jones played well enough late last spring to merit a last minute Nike All-American Camp invitation and more than held his own against several of the nation’s best prospects. With continued improvement in his perimeter skills (to go along with his terrific defensive abilities), he will be a prime time recruit! Markson is a promising forward that is athletic with a world of potential while Sanders is a physical athlete that ranks with the top defenders in this class! Zahn (the younger brother of Arizona-bound Andrew) may be as athletic as anyone in his class and could be the top dog of this group before it is all said and done, Everage has made rapid strides in becoming an important contributor for a deep Westchester squad and Niesen could be a national sleeper in this group. Shire has nice skills for his size, Terrence Jones is athletic with a nice body and Aaron earned respect with his fine play at the Rim Rattler All-West Camp.

Other Junior Combo-Forwards To Track

Ben Barrett 6'5" Chadwick (Palos Verdes CA)
Phil Baxter 6'5" Peninsula (Rolling Hills CA)
Brandon Bowman 6'5" Westchester (Los Angeles CA)
Sterling Byrd 6'6" Centennial (Compton CA)
Wayne Chamberlain 6'6" Washington (Los Angeles CA)
Seth Davis 6'6" Muir (Pasadena CA)
Daniel Doss 6'5" J.W. North (Riverside CA)
Paul Fraley 6'5" The Bishop’s School (La Jolla CA)
Jonathan Frier 6'5" Cabrillo (Long Beach CA)
Chiyoshi Hasegawa 6'5" Downtown Business Magnet (Los Angeles CA)
Ryan Johnson 6'5" Peninsula (Rolling Hills CA)
Glenn DeShawn Jones 6'5" Los Alamitos (Los Alamitos CA)
Douglas Hall 6'5" Crossroads (Santa Monica CA)
Ryan Love 6'4" Poly (Long Beach CA)
Flamingo Malone 6'5" Banning (Banning CA)
Deon Marcus 6'7" Lynwood (Lynwood CA)
Jeff Morse 6'5" Sylmar (Sylmar CA)
Desmond Newman 6'6" Los Angeles HS (Los Angeles CA)
Shane O’Connor 6'6" Claremont (Claremont CA)
Kenny Penn 6'5" Claremont (Claremont CA)
DaShawn Strong 6'5" El Segundo (El Segundo CA)

Top 10 Centers/Post-Forwards

1.DeAngelo Collins6'9"Inglewood (Inglewood CA)
2.Martin Iti6'11" Villa Park (Villa Park CA)
3.Charlie Rodriguez6'7"Clovis West (Fresno CA)
4.Kevin Gardner6'7"Peninsula (Rolling Hills CA)
5.Matt McKinney6'7"Santa Ynez (Santa Ynez CA)
6.Marcedes Lewis6'7"Poly (Long Beach CA)
7.David Patten6'8"El Dorado (Placentia CA)
8.Paul Meynen6'10" Redondo Union (Redondo Beach CA)
9.Chad Carter6'7"Arlington (Riverside CA)
10.Ryan Meilleur6'8"Artesia (Lakewood CA)

Brief Overview: This group of post players has nice promise! Collins’ off-court problems have been well documented, but hopefully he can put all that behind him and focus on being one of the top players in the Class of 2002. Iti has off-court problems of his own (international custody issues), but he has really improved this spring and summer and his transfer to Villa Park from Servite should allow his post development to continue under the watchful eye of Villa Park coach Kevin Reynolds who has had success with big men like former Villa Park standout Eric Chenowith (Kansas). Rodriguez can be very hard to deal with on the block, but like Artesia castaways and Domincan Republic natives Jack Martinez and Amaury Fernandez, questions still circulate regarding his true age and grade and his long term potential vis-a-vis Iti who is a legitimate 4 inches taller is uncertain and he may have already peaked physically. Gardner played well this summer (especially at the Rim Rattler All-West Camp) and could be a national sleeper if he grows 1-2 more inches. McKinney had a very nice junior HS season, but his splitting time with volleyball (he is also an outstanding volleyball prospect) could limit his basketball development. Lewis (another two sport star - football) improved as much as anyone this summer. Marcedes has a very nice physique with improved post moves on the block. Patten is a hardworking and improved forward that runs the floor well and can score in the paint. Another very improved post player is Meynen (an excellent student) who will be expected to man the middle at Redondo Union next season. Carter was somewhat quiet this summer, but he has nice size and ability to work in the paint while Meilleur had to endure the Artesia scandal this spring, but could be a solid Division I prospect by next
summer.

***Other Junior Post-Forwards To Watch***
Darren Brown 6'7" Fremont (Los Angeles CA)
MacKensie Clark 6'6" Pasadena (Pasadena CA)
Kevin Cornwell 6'6" Agoura (Agoura CA)
Derek Daniels 6'7" Montclair Prep (Van Nuys CA)
Johnny Dukes 6'6" Eisenhower (Rialto CA)
Kevin Edmunds 6'7" Fountain Valley (Fountain Valley CA)
Alex Elliott 6'6" Rolling Hills Prep (Palos Verdes CA)
Spencer Foster 6'6" Glendora (Glendora CA)
Gary Hamilton 6'6" Crenshaw (Los Angeles CA)
Samir Hernandez 6'7" Dominguez (Compton CA)
Onye Ibekwe 6'6" Manual Arts (Los Angeles CA)
Anthony Jones 6'6" Verbum Dei (Los Angeles CA)
Raphael Lee 6'7" Dorsey (Los Angeles CA)
Matt Mary 6'6" Upland (Upland CA)
James Mathews 6'8" Palisades (Los Angeles CA)
Ryan O’Hara 6'6" Monrovia (Monrovia CA)
Bryce Prather 6'8" Villa Park (Villa Park CA)
Michael Roche 6'5" Poly (Long Beach CA)
Marcellus Robertson 6'6" Sonora (La Habra CA)
Matt Salinas 6'9" Sonora (La Habra CA)
Thomas Shoemake 6'8" Cathedral City (Cathedral City CA)
Brent Smith 6'6" Brea-Olinda (Brea CA)
Lance Soderberg 6'8" Centennial (Corona CA)
Jonathon Todd 6'7" Chaminade (West Hills CA)
Kalief Washington 6'6" Rosemead (Rosemead CA)