SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Fullcourt Press Fall Showcase:
The HoopScoop's Review--(Sept. 10, 2002)

Unfortunately, we couldn't attend the Fullcourt Press Fall Showcase this past Sunday because we were back in New Hampshire, but our friend Clark Francis of the HoopScoop was there, and Dinos also sent us the full rosters from the showcase, so we know who was there, and we have some idea of who played well and who some of the previously unknown but surprising newcomers are.   Clark's site is subscription only, and what is often written behind the subscription site can be a bit brutal, and Clark has a way of expressing opinions that we might not put out there for public consumption, especially considering that some of the kids he's writing about he's only seen a handful of times, but hey, it's his opinion and he's entitled to it.   So, in reading the evaluations and comments below, keep in mind that these are the opinion of one guy only, so keep them in perspective.  Seriously, while a lot of people criticize Clark for his frankness and for expressing his opinions, he has been at it longer than just about anyone else in the business, and his reports are widely read.   So, if you're a player out there who has had some nice things written about you, good for you, don't let it go to your head.  And if you're one of the guys that Clark wrote about in somewhat less than glowing terms, keep it in perspective, and if possible, use it as motivation to improve, or just shrug it off as commentary from someone who only saw you in one game.   Whatever the case, here's Clark's take on what happened Sunday at the Fullcourt Press Fall Showcase:

Unfortunately some of the top players, including 6'0 Ekene Ibekwe from Carson (H.S.) CA, 6'9 Harrison Schaen from Santa Ana (Mater Dei) CA, 6'2 Tron Smith from Moreno Valley (Canyon Springs) CA, 5'9 Soph Andre McGee from Moreno Valley (Canyon Springs) CA, failed to show yesterday for 2002 Fullcourt Press Fall Showcase. However, that doesn't stop the tournament director, Dinos Trigonis, from talking about possibly having as many as 15 to 20 camps, tournaments, and single-day events around the nation during the period of a year. Which brings us to our "Question of the Day." In the best interest of the student-athlete, do we need more events to help players get more exposure or do we need fewer events, which will allow players to say at home and work on their individual skills? Getting back to the 2002 Fullcourt Press Fall Showcase, the only big name player in the Top 24 All-Star Game was 6'3 Wesley Washington from Santa Ana (Mater Dei) CA. However, this was not one of his more memorable performances. Instead, the players who really stepped up in the Top 24 Game at the the were the ones who had something to prove, like 6'6 Scott Cutley from Los Angeles (Westchester) CA, 6'6 Justin Hawkins from Lakewood (Mayfair) CA, and 6'7 Ruben Boykin from Los Angeles (University) CA, or those who are not yet on the radar screen, like 6'7 Dorrell Wright from Lawndale (Leuzinger) CA, 6'7 Travone Free from Compton (Centennial) CA, and 6'6 Perrin Johnson from Claremont (H.S.) CA.  Cutley is ranked #252 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, because we thought he was an undersized power forward. However, he kept hitting 3-pointers en route to a 22-point performance and, as a result, we may have to reevaluate this strong athletic warrior who is furious on the boards and very active in an uptempo setting. Hawkins, who is ranked #98 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, was the leading scorer in the game with 31 points and he did everything for his team, except win the game. Instead, he missed a tough 3-point shot at the buzzer, as his team lost 119-117 in overtime. But we have to give him credit for going for the win, instead of the tie, which would have sent the game into sudden death. We still think Boykin is overhyped, but you can't argue with the results, as he scored 15 points and got double-digit rebounds. Wright isn't ranked among our top 300 seniors nationally, but he will be next time we update our national rankings. Not only did he scored 18 points, but he impressed us with his athleticism, versatility, ability to get to the hole, and make big plays. In other words, we're talking about one of the biggest sleepers in the nation right now! Free has the athleticism, upper body, and work ethic to be the perfect blue collar guy inside. Not only did Free dominate on the boards, but he scored at will inside to the tune of 22 points. Johnson scored 20 points and impressed with his versatility, athleticism, and ability to get the basket. And this trend was the order of the day in the Top 24 Junior Game, as well, as 6'4 Jr Curtis Allen from Palos Verdes (Rolling Hills) CA, 6'2 Jr Gabriel Pruitt from Los Angeles (Westchester) CA, 6'6 Jr Arron Aflalo from Compton (Centennial) CA all have big names, but failed to live up their press clippings. Instead, the player everybody was talking about was 6'4 Jr Matthew Thomas from Riverside (King) CA. Not only does Thomas have great body control, big time athleticism, and excellent ball handling and passing skills for size, but he also can beat you outside with his outside shooting and inside with athleticism, great body control, and moves to the basket. We'd like to see Thomas again, but, if he plays like this every night, there is no doubt our mind he's one of the top juniors in the Southern California, as well as a legitimate top 100 player in his class nationally. We also were impressed by the outside shooting of 6'5 Jr Josh Shipp from Los Angeles (Fairfax) CA and 6'7 Jr Kyle Brucculeri from Los Alamitos (H.S.) CA, who combined for 35 points for the White Squad; the inside play of 6'9 Chris Henry from Santa Ana (Mater Dei) CA, who is big and slow, but very skilled; and the natural talent that 6'6 Marcel Jones from Santa Ana (Mater Dei) CA possesses. The most talented player - 6'5 Soph Marcus Johnson from Los Angeles (Westchester) CA - in the Top 24 Sophomore Game has to win our award as the biggest disappointment of the entire day. Johnson did show some flashes early, but only five points and his lacksidasical effort have to be major causes for major concern. Instead, the best player in the game was 6'5 Soph Brian Harvey from Carson (H.S.) CA, who finished with 17 points and was a model for effort and efficiency. He also is an excellent 3-point shooter and has the strength, athleticism, and moves to beat his man going the basket. We also really liked 6'9 Soph Amir Mosby-Johnson from Los Angeles (Verbum Dei) CA, who also was one of the better players in the junior game. However, Mosby-Johnson took a backseat to nobody in the Top 24 Sophomore Game, as he scored 14 points, was active on the boards, and made several incredible moves to the basket.  We've seen 6'6 Soph Jamal Boykin from Los Angeles (Fairfax) CA play better, but 18 points and more than his share of rebounds isn't bad. All somebody needs to do now is tell Boykin not to attempt any more 3-pointers. Not only is he lousy outside shooter, but that's not his game.  We also liked 6'4 Soph Edward White from North Hollywood (Harvard-Westlake) CA and 6'7 Soph Rashad Austin from Claremont (H.S.) CA. White is a skilled white kid who plays hard, makes things happen, and shoots the three. Austin is a strong athletic power forward, but he didn't get a chance to show what he can do inside, because he played on the same unit with Boykin and 6'10 Soph Brett Hoerner from Fullerton (H.S.) CA. The most interesting game of the day was the Top 24 Freshman Game, which featured 6'2 Frosh Edward Davis from Los Angeles (Windward) CA and 6'3 Frosh Zamon McGee from Bellflower (St. John Bosco) CA, both of whom are multi-dimensional athletes and tremendous natural talents. Also playing well enough to deserve a mention in the Top 24 Freshman Game were 6'5 Frosh Jervaughn Johnson from Compton (Centennial) CA, 6'5 Frosh Blake Wallace from Anaheim (Servite) CA, 5'5 8th Grader Dash Harris from Santa Monica (Crossroads) CA, 5'6 Frosh A.J. Laguana from Long Beach (Poly) CA, 6'4 Frosh Winston Johnson from Bellflower (St. John Bosco) CA, 6'0 Frosh Mike Mayo from Bellflower (St. John Bosco) CA, 5'7 Frosh Donovan White from Los Angeles (Fairfax) CA, 6'6 8th Grader Taylor King from Huntington Beach, CA, and 6'4 Frosh Konrad Reuland from Santa Ana (Mater Dei) CA.

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