Teams of note on the first day of the Oakland Rebels Easter Tournament included the Oakland Soldiers 15s and 16s, Spirit Got Game Black and the host Rebels. Here is a brief rundown on the players who stood out:
Jamaree Strickland 6-foot-9 Post Mcclymonds (2012) Oakland Rebels Blue: Strickland was often mentioned in tandem with former Bishop O'Dowd/Findlay Prep star Brandon Ashley as the two top prospects in Northern California. But injuries have limited the play of the McClymonds star during the past two seasons. He plays with a right knee brace but his lift and movement does not seem hindered in the paint. He had several layups and dunk put backs as he looked comfortable with that brace. Despite his time away from the game, Strickland said that he has strong interest from CSU Northridge. With a college-ready frame, Strickland would be a good get for a college program that needs interior size. If his knee is sound, he could be a surprise late signing for a Division I program.
Jaskarn Bawja 6-foot-3 Wing Irvington (2014) Norcal Jumpsquad: Bawja is a good perimeter shooter who is also athletic and can get into the paint. He needs to add some bulk to absorb more contact and to improve his rebounding strength.
Matt O'Reilly 6-foot-2 SG Campolindo (2015) Oakland Soldiers 15: O'Reilly is deceptively athletic and quick. For a freshman, he is skilled in his dribbling, footwork, and shooting technique. O'Reilly is one of the more notables in the 2015 class to watch for.
Sherron Bradford 5-foot-10 PG Granite Bay (2013) Spirit Got Game Black: Bradford plays outstanding on ball defense with a good stance and foot movement. He has a compact and fluid shooting motion as he hit a string of three point shots in his games.
Temidayo Yussuf 6-foot-6 F St Joseph (2014) Oakland Rebels Red: Yussuf runs the court effortlessly and does not leave his feet prematurely on defense. He has a good frame and long wingspan. With Yussuf, his Pilots will remain a favorite in their division during the high school season.
Andy Isokpehi 6-foot-5 SF Woodside Priory (2015) Mavericks: The native Nigerian is lean, long, and mobile on the court. He played as a freshman and has a good upside but will need to add to his offensive arsenal and also mass to his frame. With Gabor Somoygi going to Maine, Isokpehi could be a feature piece for Woodside Priory.
Joey Frenchwood 6-foot-0 PG Newark Memorial (2014) Oakland Rebels Red: Frenchwood converted on a few three point shots. The point guard will need to provide outside scoring to complement his floor general skills for Newark next season. Newark is relatively young but should be a favorite in their division next season as Frenchwood headlines the team.
Trevor John 6-foot-3 G Monte Vista (2014) Oakland Soldiers 16: John has good size for a guard and moves laterally well on perimeter defense. He uses his body well in creating space on the dribble. John doubles as a rising pitcher prospect as well.
De'Sean Parsons 6-foot-5 SF Grant (2013) Spirit Got Game Black: Parsons built on last weekend's event in Hayward and continued his solid play. Parsons is active on defense, hustles, and runs the court well. Per his club coach, several college programs are beginning to inquire about this hidden 2013 gem.
Rodney Cook 5-foot-11 PG Bethel (2012) Norcal Elite: Cook takes the ball strong and likes to initiate contact. He may be undersized but is fearless on the court. The senior has interest from a few west coast colleges but will go the JUCO route if nothing materializes by his graduation date.
Jordan Wright 6-foot-4 SG Skyline Oakland (2013) Norcal Jumpsquad: Wright goes to the paint hard and finished at the rim well. He needs to improve his jumper but is a solid defender.
Delvon Nisby 6-foot-4 SG San Leandro (2012) Oakland Bulldogs: Nisby can score in any manner as he went for 37 points in the second game. He has a nice frame for a guard and can create matchup problems for opposing teams. He will likely be playing at Merritt Junior College after playing a total of four games in his high school career due to various personal reasons.
Jay Kang 6-foot-4 Wing Amador Valley (2014) Oakland PAL: Kang plays the post for his undersized club but held his ground as he runs the floor well and makes good decisions in his passing. He sat out this past sophomore season after transferring from Bishop O'Dowd as a freshman and he will now transfer to either Dublin or Kimball. The physical attributes and raw skills look to be there, but real playing time is needed to grow his game.
Jelani Hardaway 6-foot-0 PG (2012) DBC: The wiry point guard will be a solid floor general at the JUCO that he attends. He plays efficiently and should be going to a four year program after one year at a JUCO. His passing is crisp and his ball handling is solid for a point guard.
Leo Smith 5-foot-9 PG Oakland Tech (2013) Oakland Rebels 17s: Smith plays at a fiery and quick pace as he pounds the ball when dribbling. Smith would benefit from playing at an uptempo and guard oriented program on the next level. His height may be in question but his ability to direct a team and create for himself may compensate for that.
Chris Woods 6-foot-2 SG Delta Charter (2012) Norcal Outlawz: Woods is a high flyer as he had a few above the rim plays. His jumping ability makes him a good shot blocker for a guard. He will need to improve his perimeter shot as he will most likely be going the JUCO route.
Kiran Shastri 6-foot-5 Wing Miramonte (2013) Oakland Rebels Blue: Shastri is lean and long, but is efficient in his movement on the court. His footwork and shooting techniques are fluid. Shastri can build on his 24 point average from the past season at Miramonte.
Joey Goodreault 6-foot-3 SG Miramonte (2014) Oakland Rebels Red: The lefty shooting guard has a compact, smooth stroke as he hit several perimeter shots cleanly. He has good size and lateral movement when guarding the perimeter. Despite a coaching change at Miramonte, Goodreault teaming with Shastri should allow the team to improve on their 20-win season.
Jonathan Galloway 6-foot-8 Post Liberty (2014) Oakland Soldiers 16: As a sophomore, Galloway averaged a near double double. He is long and has a nice wingspan to benefit his defense and rebounding. His midrange shot is respectable but he will need to develop a back to the basket game.
Kendrick Jackson 6-foot-3 Wing Granite Bay (2015) Spirit Got Game Black: Jackson is the son of Bobby Jackson who is the sponsor of Spirit Got Game Black, was a former NBA guard, and is currently an assistant coach with the Sacramento Kings. The younger Jackson is already taller than his father and has inherited many of his basketball fundamentals and savvy. He displayed vision, a pull up jumper, and a nice floater as Granite Bay should improve on their 14-win season.
Paris Austin 5-foot-8 PG Bishop O'Dowd (2015) Oakland Soldiers 15: On the junior varsity team, Austin averaged 27 points. He has quickness, dribbles well, and passes sharply. He is a candidate to get minutes as O'Dowd looks to reload on varsity.
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