Full-Time Hoops San Diego Grassroots Preview

It’s that time of the year again, where sworn enemies during high school become best friends on the hardwood.

It’s grassroots hoops season.

San Diego enters a critical live period with its vaunted class of 2016 at a crossroads. Atop the class, TJ Leaf is looking like a shoo-in for the McDonald’s All-American Game, and Justin Moore is looking to strengthen his position as a potential Pac-12 point guard. However, the class has lost some of its luster up top as Brandon Cyrus transferred to La Lumiere Prep in Indiana, and the rest of the class has yet to break out in the way scouts and colleges expected.

For guys like Johnny McWilliams, Eric Monroe, Tim Harrison, Tommy Rutherford and Justin Davis, the time is now to make a statement in what should be their final turn on the grassroots circuit.

Or is it?

More than ever, the AAU basketball scene is becoming populated with unsigned seniors looking for one last shot to impress college coaches, and now, we’re seeing a smattering of players one year removed from high school returning to the circuit after a preparatory year. Scouts and coaches both have lamented this trend, but it looks like it is here to stay.

But I digress.

San Diego is entering a phase of three very strong classes of basketball prospects, as 2016, 2017 and 2018 all have highly coveted recruits – in 2017′s case, three potential All-Americans. Full-Time Hoops has a look at the programs and players you should be watching during the next few months.

Top 17u Programs

1. DeAndre Ayton “presides” over Supreme Court

The consensus No. 1 player in the class of 2017, Balboa Prep F DeAndre Ayton, is playing with Supreme Court for the third consecutive year. Coached by his prep coach, former college and NBA player Zack Jones, Supreme Court was able to parlay an endorsement contract with Under Armour this spring, and will play on the UA Association circuit against such teams as Earl Watson Elite, the Illinois Wolves and DC Premier. In addition to Ayton, the team’s standouts include includes 2016 Grossmont C Tommy Rutherford, 2016 Army Navy F Aziz Seck, 2016 Temecula Valley SF Riley Schaefer, 2016 Balboa Prep F Carlos Serrano; 2016 La Jolla Country Day F Bruce Edwards and 2017 St. Augustine G Otto Taylor. Three unsigned seniors – Torrey Pines G Dominic Hovasse, Temecula Valley PF Zavier Harris and Arizona G Bakari Evelyn – round out the roster. The team opens their grassroots season in New Orleans.

2. Gamepoint returns to Adidas Circuit

After a successful run on the Adidas circuit was suddenly derailed by the death of Nnamdi Okongwu and the dissolution of its 17u Red team, Gamepoint returns to the Adidas Uprising circuit with a new-look 2016 team. 2016 Francis Parker F Tim Harrison, who has offers from Washington, Nevada and New Mexico and interest from several high-major programs, headlines the team. He is now joined by 2016 Morse W Justin Davis, who previously played for San Diego All-Stars; 2016 St. Augustine PG Eric Monroe, who was the floor general on last year’s Gamepoint 17u Black team; 2016 Cathedral Catholic W Austin Beech and PG Cameron Moore; 2016 Elsinore F Michael Taylor, 2016 Torrey Pines SG Jackson Strong, and 2016 Escondido C Keegan Cummins, who might be one of the most improved players in Southern California. Unsigned senior F Justin Young, who won’t turn 18 until next March, rounds out the roster and should be a player to watch.

Gamepoint’s 17u Select team is also robust with talent, including All-league players 2016 Cathedral Catholic F Reid Johnson, El Camino PG Sean Birk, Santa Margarita G Colin Ferrier and Victorville Silverado F Raf Agee. Rancho Verde SG Reggie Varner, Madison C JR Rivera, Torrey Pines SG Dylan Bona and PG Steve Hickman, El Camino SG Eric Pierce and Cathedral Catholic SG Kyle Kappes round out the team.

3. San Diego All-Stars reloads around Moore, Polanco

The San Diego All-Stars, which are sponsored by Asics via Double Pump, had a major roster overhaul to its team, which includes two of the region’s top prospects: 2016 Mission Bay PG Justin Moore and 2017 Army Navy SF Richard Polanco. 2016 Steele Canyon SF Dominic Wood-Anderson and 2016 Francis Parker PG Michael Pelaiz, a former Gamepoint player, are flanked with a crew over very good unsigned prospects – 2015 Balboa Prep W Jordan Alexander; 2015 Francis Parker SG Paulo Cruz, 2015 Temecula Great Oak G Torin Webb and 2015 Balboa Prep C Daniel Melifonwu. They kick the season off at the Double Pump Spring Hoop Fest, one of the largest AAU events on the West Coast this weekend. Also watch for 2016 C Armstrong Ojonkwu (6-9, 215) and and F Ronnie Readus (6-7 190, El Cajon Valley), young prospects who will play on both the 17u and 16u level.

4. Coastal Elite reels in surprise 

Last year, Coastal Elite’s 16u Team was one of the surprises of the circuit with wins over Team Superstar and the Compton Magic. This year, the close-knit unit adds unsigned senior Prince Wuni Wuntah, a 6-9 240 mamoth of a center, via Coach Kwaku Amoaku’s AYBO program. The massive Wuna Wunti is a raw, but physical specimen. He will join 2016 San Marcos G Mikey Howell, 2016 Escondido G Marcus Hentley, 2016 Valley Center G Terrence Becvar, 2016 Mission Vista PF Burke Twyman, 2016 Temecula Valley PF Scott Hollingsworth, 2016, 2016 Mt Carmel G Lucas Johnson and Ramona SG Marco Cobian. Also, look for 2017 Orange Glen PG Michael Diaz, one of the region’s most exciting players to watch, to play significant minutes. This team should be, once again, one of the surprises of the circuit.

Other programs

Next Generation: 2016 Kearny PG Takoda Browne is explosive as ever, 2015 Mira Mesa G Kris Johnson is an unsigned senior with mid major D1 upside after a junior college stint. Also watch out for 2016 Serra G Josh Moran, a 6-3 lead guard prospect who is quite underrated. 2016 Montgomery SG Alex Torres is a sharpshooter and 2017 Serra PG Quincy Ferebee is a diamond in the rough, who, with a growth spurt, could blossom into a D1 point guard.

California Bearcats Elite: In its first year of high school ball, the Solana Beach Cats field a competitive 16u team with Josiah Esselstrom, Owen Aescheris, Charles Dudley and JT Cox. Should be a team to watch.

San Diego Cougars: Sleepers abound on the Cougars roster, including 2016 Helix W Malik Tambwe, who might be one of San Diego’s best kept secrets, and unsigned PF Dylan Hamlett.

Kings of the Court- 2016 Mission Bay G Devin Hilliard headlines the rebooted KOC squad, which also includes 2016 Rancho Bernardo PG LJ Crouch.

Top Gun: Choosing to focus on one team, Top Gun has assembled a very competitive 16u team that is headlined by Foothills Christian freshmen duo Jordan Starr and TJ Lowery, and 2017 La Jolla G Reed Farley. Las Vegas duo Jasper Cook and Maka Ellis add some out-of-region flair to this team.

2017 (not named) and 2018 players and programs to watch

2017:

Players

Brandon McCoy 6-11, 200 C- McCoy has All-American upside. Will run with California Supreme in the Nike EYBL.

Jaylen Hands 6-2 165 PG- The explosive point guard who burst on the scene as a freshman at Mater Dei enters year two with the Compton Magic on its 17u Adidas Gauntlet squad.

JJ Overton 6-3 165 PG- Making a strong case for the No. 2 point guard in the class in San Diego. He’ll headline SDA’s 16u team.

Michael Diaz 6-1 175 PG- The explosive and exciting Orange Glen point guard will be playing on Coastal Elite’s 17u Team.

Renathan Ona Embo 6-4 170 G- The athletic combination guard who played alongside Ayton at Balboa Prep will run with Play Hard Play Smart’s Adidas Gauntlet squad.

Robby Robinson 6-8 190 PF- The high-motor forward will be playing on the Compton Magic’s 16u team.

Reed Farley 6-4 175 G- One of the most underrated players in San Diego, Farley will headline the Top Gun 16u Team.

Jake Gilliam 6-9 230 C- The massive 6-9 center, who will have a big role on Torrey Pines next season, anchors the Gamepoint 16u team.

Dallas Cunningham- 6-5 W Cathedral Catholic – Sweet shooting wing will play with Top Gun’s 16u team.

Ed Fenzi- The 5-10 Army Navy PG will be one of the key pieces on the Gamepoint 16u team.

Programs

Gamepoint- Jake Gilliam anchors a solid squad that includes dynamic guards Ed Fenzi and Jailen Moore, and sleepers in 2017 Riverside King F Jordan Robinson, Torrey Pines SG Cade Shackleford and Edison G Nate Matthews.

Top Gun- see above

San Diego All-Stars- JJ Overton and Armstrong Ojonkwu anchor the team, which also includes former Compton Magic wing Kale Baldado, 2016 El Cajon Valley F Ronnie Readus and sharpshooter Jack Peterson.

Coastal Elite- Michael Diaz and his twin brother Devin Diaz are joined by fellow Orange Glen teammates Trevor Owens and Gabe Macias. Derek Sit is as steady a PG as you will see and 2018 Warren Washington will play a role on the team in the near future.

Next Generation- Quincy Ferebee will anchor a squad that is an assortment 2017 and 2018 players. Watch for Steele Canyon G Thomas Fishburne and Christian G JP Paulson.

Bearcats – Charles Dudley, son of former NBA player Chris Dudley, is flanked by a pair of talented, albeit undersized guards, in Owen Aescheris and Josiah Esselstrom. Utility guard JT Cox is a jack-of-all-trades and Josh Burton is a 6-6 post with potential.

2018

Players

Miles Norris 6-7 190 F – The long and skilled power forward will be playing with Earl Watson Elite’s 16u.

Taeshon Cherry- 6-7 190 F- Cherry, the athletic and versatile wing who is coming off of a CIF Open Division title with St. Augustine, will play with Dream Vision’s 15u.

Jordan Starr – 6-6 180 W – Coming off a Division 2 title run with Foothills Christian, Starr, who started for most of the season, will play with Top Gun’s 16u.

Taurus Samuels – 5-11 150 PG – After a breakout freshman year in which he led Vista (an open Division qualifier) in five statistical categories, Samuels will be playing with Gamepoint’s 15u team.

Trey Anderson – 6-4 170 W – Mater Dei’s second freshman on the list, the fast rising wing will be playing with San Diego All Stars 15u and 16u.

Warren Washington – 6-7 190 F – The crafty and athletic Washington, who played a key role in Escondido’s D1 title run, will play with Coastal Elite 15u.

Zach Reiter – 6-1 180 G – the bruising combination guard, who was a part-time starter for Poway, will play with Gamepoint 15u.

Jalen Flanagan – 6-2 175 G- Flanagan, a versatile wing defender who started for half of the season for El Camino, will play with Coastal Elite 15u.

Jesus Garcia – 6-10 190 C – San Ysidro’s leader in blocked shots this year will run with Youth Sports 17u, a collection of San Ysidro HS players coached by Terry Tucker.

Alex Cho – 6-0 180 G – La Jolla Country Day’s second-leading scorer, Cho will play with San Diego All Stars 15u.

TJ Lowery – 6-5 170 W- Lowery, an athletic wing who thrives on the defensive end, will play with Top Gun’s 16u program.

Matthew Stevenson – 6-3 180 SG – The sharpshooter from Santa Fe Christian will play with Gamepoint 15u.

Top 15u Teams:

Gamepoint 15u- Samuels leads a very solid team that includes Reiter, Stevenson and his 6-5 teammate Demetrious Washington, Reiter and a pair of talented 2019 prospects, Max Guinn and Ryan Langborg.

Coastal Elite- 6-7 Warren Washington and 6-2 Jalen Flanagan are D1 prospects on a team that includes some other solid pieces.

San Diego All Stars- Alex Cho and Trey Anderson headline a team that includes some sleepers, including St. Augustine G Isaac Hall, Torrey Pines F Ethan Esposito and Army Navy PG JC Canahuate. Watch for 2019 G Graham Cook, one of the more talented eighth graders in the region.

Next Generation- Reggie Jackson, Augustine Hong and Scott Bettoney will lead a solid 15u team for Next Gen that will surprise with their competitive play.

Top SD Players on Non-SD programs

A large contingent of San Diego players are headlining some of the largest programs in Southern California. Here are a list of some of the top players you will want to watch that won’t be on an SD team.

Oakland Rebels: 2016 Balboa Prep SG Jeremi Hanks

Play Hard Play Smart: 2017 Balboa Prep G Renathan Ona Embo

California Supreme: 2017 Morse C Brandon McCoy; 2018 Morse PG Robert Young

Compton Magic: 2016 Foothills Christian F TJ Leaf, 2017 Kearny F Robby Robinson;

Team Bayless: 2016 St. Augustine F Martin Tombe, 2016 Serra G Jerome Sherman II, 2016 Otay Ranch PG Oscar Limon, 2016 Foothills Christian W Omajae Smith

Dream Vision: 2018 St. Augustine F Taeshon Cherry (16u)

OC Magic: 2016 Foothills Christian SG Luis Salgado, 2016 Kearny G Gianni Ortiz, 2016 Foothills Christian PG Nikko Paranada

Southern California All-Stars: 2016 San Marcos F Jason Simmrin

Earl Watson Elite: 2016 Torrey Pines SG Jack Heller, 2018 Mater Dei Catholic F Miles Norris

BABC: 2016 Vermont Academy PG Patrick Fisher (formerly LCC)

CIA Bounce: 2016 La Lumiere G Brandon Cyrus (formerly Torrey Pines)

H-Squad: 2015 El Camino G Quen Meadows, 2015 Oceanside PG Will Christmas