Article 325: A chat with Fenton

July 27, 2012

Central Catholic's John Fenton has had an eventful summer so far. He recently returned from the Reebok Breakout Challenge in Philadelphia. The 2013 post prospect from Modesto also has seen his recruiting pick up since last summer. Fenton is also playing with Fresno-based Organized Chaos during the July evaluation period.

The Reebok Challenge was a positive experience for Fenton. "The Reebok Challenge was great," said Fenton. "The competition was some of the best I've seen. I got to play against guys who I will probably see again in college competition. It got me a lot more exposure and I think I grew as a player from it."

Last summer, Fenton played with national prospect and eventual Stanford commit, Grant Verhoeven from Central Valley Christian School. "I learned a lot from Grant," says Fenton. "I played with a kid who had offers everywhere so I got to see where I should try to be as a player. I learned how to play against Division I type players and got better at adjusting my game in order to be more successful. Grant also has a great attitude towards his teammates. He has helped me become more cohesive with my teammates. I learned that the recruiting process could be crazy. Calls all the time from coaches, and coaches lining up to see Grant play. It is very busy but exciting."

Fenton's game was raw but full of potential last summer. "I have improved the most with awareness and reacting to how the defender plays me," says Fenton. "I have been working a lot on facing the basket to make quick moves. Last summer, I did not face the basket as much."

Organized Chaos Coach Chris Stahowski assesses Fenton's improvement. "John's footwork and ability to finish around the basket. He has worked on stepping his range out to 15 feet and his mobility has become better."

The 6-foot-9 and 230 pounds post prospect has gotten offers from Colgate, Holy Cross, and Pacific. He has serious interest from American University, Dartmouth, Denver University, James Madison, Santa Clara, and Yale.

Fenton has this take on the recruiting process so far. "There are several different conferences I am interested in. But I mainly want to play for a school with great academics and a nice campus. I think any schools from the Ivy League or Patriot League fit that well. I am hoping to get more looks from the West Coast. I do not prefer the West Coast but I want to have a lot of options."

"John would succeed in a system that runs double bigs," says Stahowski. "A team that runs half court sets and will defend the heck out of it in the half court."

Stahowski would like to see Fenton improve in certain aspects of the game still. "He still needs to find a counter move with his back to the basket. I'd like to see him be a little more comfortable going to the middle from the block."

"I feel like I need to work on getting more balanced when I make post moves," says Fenton. "I need to improve on finishing more around the rim with contested shots."

As July wraps up, Fenton should be getting further inquiries from college programs. Central Catholic finished a strong 26-7 this past season and returns a strong core including Fenton to build on. Watch for this treat to be unwrapped on the recruiting trail during the upcoming season in Modesto, Calif.

Article 324: Ferrari revving up

July 23, 2012

Burlingame High consistently has 20 win seasons on the hard court. This past season, the Panthers went 20-11 in the Peninsula Athletic League with a postseason loss to Sacred Heart Cathedral, the Northern California representative in the state finals. A key for the Panthers will be the further improvement of 2014 prospect Frankie Ferrari.

The 5-foot-10 and 150 pounds point guard has been on varsity since the middle of his freshman season and was a starter as a sophomore this past season. As a sophomore, he averaged 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists per game.

Ferrari likens his game to former Burlingame Panther and Stanford Cardinal, Drew Shiller, because he gets his teammates involved, is a floor leader, and has a high basketball IQ. In addition, Ferrari plays for his Lunardi's club during the summer to improve on his overall game as his father also coaches the club.

At the Bay Area Memorial Day Classic, NorCalPreps.com analyst Douglas Benton had this assessment of Ferrari at the event: "Just a sophomore, he has a great feel for the position in understanding how to draw defenses for open looks. He plays with good vision and has added confidence and range to his shot over the last year. At points, he can get too creative, which leads to unnecessary turnovers."

Ferrari plays with a finesse style as he understands that he will not always win with strength and quickness. As a result, he plays in a heady manner by making calculated decisions in his passing and shot selection.

This Panther played on the football team for his first two years but will not pursue the sport further. He also played on the baseball team but considers basketball to be his best sport. Ferrari is looking for more college looks during his junior year and wants to lead his team to winning CCS.

Burlingame has produced the aforementioned Shiller for the college level. Ferrari is looking to replicate that as he is looking for a school that is up tempo in its style of play and a family orientated environment with the coaching staff and players. Ferrari has a 3.20 GPA as his best subject is English and would like to major in Sports Medicine.

As the evaluation period heats up in July, watch for Ferrari to rev up. Then, watch Ferrari drive his Panthers the next two seasons in Burlingame, Calif.

Article 323: Rae Jackson update

July 19, 2012

During this past weekend at the Nor Cal Summer Tip Off at City College of San Francisco, 2013 prospect Rae Jackson provided an update on his recruiting. The Rodriguez star also revealed that he will be transferring to El Cerrito when the school year starts.

El Cerrito Head Coach Michael Booker says of his future point guard, "Rae has many strengths but I think his greatest strength is his triple threat ability. Rae has the ball handling skills needed to drive to the basket and finish strong with either hand, he has the ability to shoot his jump-shot off the dribble, spotting up or coming off screens and he has the court vision to find and pass to teammates for easy scoring opportunities."

At 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, Jackson has great athleticism for a guard. During his Rodriguez years, he was called upon to be a scorer. But for the college level, he expects to be a point guard. During the summer, he has been playing for his Bay Area Magic club, coached by his father Rae Jackson Sr., and the Oakland Soldiers 17U club.

"Rae has a calm demeanor on the court but he plays with a high level of determination," says Booker. "He is a fierce competitor and he has an extreme amount of confidence in his abilities."

Jackson believes that he has improved on his shot selection and all around defense during the summer. He feels that his point guard skills are his ability to see the floor well and to distribute the ball. He wants to play for a college program that has a running mentality.

Cal State Northridge, Long Beach State, Oklahoma, San Diego State, San Jose State, Santa Clara, and Tulsa have expressed interest in Jackson. He believes the experience with the Soldiers has allowed him to play with stronger and more skilled players and realizes that he has more work to do and that he has to work to be stronger.

"I think Rae has the ability to play collegially at the division one level," says Booker. "I think that Rae at the next level would immediately help any program in need of a point guard/basketball player. Rae is a good student who meets all the requirements to attend a four year college, he is a good teammate, his skill level and basketball IQ is very good. He can defend his position and he understands a team defensive system. More importantly, he understands how to use his strengths to help his team succeed."

Later in the month, the Soldiers 17U club will be competing at Peach Jam in South Carolina. The exposure from this event should help with Jackson's recruiting. Then, watch for Jackson to make a difference for El Cerrito High in the fall.

Article 322: Another bout of Vinsanity

July 18, 2012

Vinsanity was the resulting reaction based on the exploits of former North Carolina Tar Heel Vince Carter on the offensive end of the hardwood. For the St. Mary's Rams, Gabe Vincent can light up the scoreboard in his own version of Vinsanity. As a sophomore, he averaged 13.5 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals per game as his Stockton based team went 22-7.

The 6-foot-2 and 175 pound combination guard is versatile in his ability to score from the perimeter and driving to the basket. As a result, he compares his game to former Modesto Christian and San Jose State Spartan, Adrian Oliver, because of his scoring ability and also his on the ball defense and willingness to take charges. Vincent was a starter for the aforementioned Modesto Christian as a freshman before he decided to transfer to St. Mary's Stockton.

During the offseason, Vincent is working to improve his explosiveness in his dribble and his overall basketball IQ. He plays for his Oakland Soldiers 16 club to garner exposure.

Oakland Soldiers Coach Nick Enzweiler says, "Gabe is the most complete player on the 16U Soldier team in my opinion. I can't say enough good things about Gabe Vincent-he is a coach's dream. Gabe can shoot from distance and he has a solid mid-range game. Gabe can get to the basket and finish at the rim in traffic. He can also handle the ball extremely well, so much so that he can even play PG. I think Gabe's best attribute as a player is his terrific basketball IQ-he understands how to play the game."

This should be no surprise as the 2014 prospect learned from his older brother, Ben Vincent, who played at Modesto Christian previously and is now playing for Pacific Union in Napa. The older brother plays the wing position.

At some of the spring events, Vincent displayed good footwork and an accurate perimeter game. He has good size and length to take the ball to the basket against smaller defenders. His footwork was solid on the defensive end as well.

The recruiting process is early for Vincent as he has not received any serious college inquiries so far. He is open to any geography and would like to play in a run and gun scheme.

Enzweiler assesses Vincent's college potential, "I think Gabe is going to be a great player at the college level because he has the determination and work ethic to succeed. I think he has the potential of being a mid to high D1 prospect. What may present a difficulty for him at the NCAA level is his size-he is only 6'2" and I'm not sure if he is going to grow anymore. Although, I believe Gabe can overcome his lack of height to be a top prospect. He is truly a joy to coach and I wish every player had the same work ethic and mental toughness as Gabe Vincent."

If all things go according to plan, expect Vincent to be playing on the college level in the fall of 2014. In the meantime, experience another bout of Vinsanity in Stockton, Calif.

Article 321: Tip Off: Final Day

July 16, 2012

The top 2015 prospects were on display at the Nor Cal Summer Tip Off at City College of San Francisco on Sunday, while yet another rising senior is leaving the state to finish his high school career.

EJ Floreal 6-foot-4 Wing Palo Alto (2013) Lakeshow Black 17: Floreal looked strong and quick as he is comfortable handling the ball. A more consistent perimeter game could take his game to a new level. Floreal confirmed that Cal Poly SLO offered him while Hawaii, Oregon, and Portland State are interested in him. He also stated that he is leaving Palo Alto to finish up high school in the state of Kentucky.

Albert Waters 5-foot-10 PG St. Ignatius (2013) Bay Area Warriors 17U: Waters plays hard and competes intensely. He is a pass first point guard. Waters may be a better football prospect as he plays defensive back and wide receiver.

Kevin Murray 5-foot-9 PG Mission (2013) Bay Area Warriors 17U: The left hander is quick and can break down defenders on the dribble. He hit several perimeter shots. He runs the team well but his size will determine his recruiting.

Jack Gale 6-foot-5 Wing University (2014) Bay Area Warriors 16U: The junior to be averaged close to ten points a game this past season. He needs to add weight to play at the next level. He will probably be the largest player on University but will be used primarily as a wing.

Henry Caruso 6-foot-4 Wing Serra (2013) Lakeshow Black 17: The wing can do a little of everything well. He has the size to play physical inside but also can play on the perimeter. Caruso has a midrange game but also can dribble to the paint and pull up for smarter shots. Hawaii has shown interest recently.

Andre Miller 5-foot-11 PG Serra (2013) Bay Area Bulls: Miller is a steady point guard who has a good frame but may be undersize for his height. He can take on contact when going to the paint. He moves his feet well on defense.

Justyce Key 6-foot-0 PG Berkeley (2013) Oakland Kings 2013: The wiry guard is a fierce defender as he is not shy about crowding his opponent. He is lean but can hold his own weight. He was aggressive with his offense but will likely be a point guard prospect.

LJ Moore 6-foot-2 PG Central (2013) Chaos 17U: Moore is super quick and athletic. He had a breakaway reverse dunk to highlight that ability. Moore is a top football prospect in the country as a cornerback.

Jovante Carlton 6-foot-2 SG El Cerrito (2014) Oakland Soldiers 15s: El Cerrito is loaded but Carlton may break the rotation. He has good size and handles the ball well.

Kellen Simpson 6-foot-0 PG Sacramento (2014) Team Sage Truth: Simpson is very steady and calm in his way of directing the team. He moves his feet and can contain the opposing guard.

Robert O'Reilly 6-foot-2 G Campolindo (2015) Oakland Soldiers 16s: O'Reilly was recently called up from the 15s squad and for good reason. He hit several perimeter shots in the two day period. He dribbles with great intensity and sprints the floor. He believes that he will be a point guard at the next level but is versatile enough to be a scoring option.

Lee Reed 6-foot-4 F Cosumnes Oaks (2015) PHPS Renegades: Reed may be a hidden gem no longer. The Sacramento area player is versatile as he has the skills to play inside or outside. He was on varsity as a freshman but already has drawn interest from Pacific and Southern Utah per his club coach.

Marcelas Perry 5-foot-7 PG Capital Christian (2014) Play Hard Play Smart 16s: Perry is another undersized point guard but runs the team well. He is good with his dribble and plays well with contact.

Mitch Love 6-foot-3 PG St Ignatius Prep (2013) PHPS Renegades: Love is a leader at point guard and is a clutch player. He has a big frame for a point guard that allows him to overpower smaller guards and help with defense and rebounding.

Lance Coleman II 6-foot-5 Wing St Mary's Stockton (2015) Oakland Soldiers 15s: Coleman is rail thin but has a long wingspan. He hit several perimeter shots and would be hard to defend with his length. Adding weight would be his biggest priority.

Article 320: Action Jackson take two

July 15, 2012

For Northern California basketball fans, especially those of the Sacramento Kings, Bobby Jackson was a fan favorite in the first half of last decade that culminated in him winning the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in the 2003 season. After being traded following the 2005 season, "Action Jackson" eventually made his way back to Sacramento where he retired from the NBA in 2009 and is now an assistant coach for the Kings. Known as a high energy player, Jackson's son, Kendrick Jackson, is the sequel.

At 6-foot-3 and 170 pounds, the younger Jackson is already taller and has a more ideal frame than his father. The 2015 prospect out of Granite Bay was called up to varsity towards the second half of the season and became a mainstay in the rotation.

During the summer, Jackson plays for his Spirit Got Game Elite club. Jackson works on all aspects of his game during the offseason. At the early spring events, Jackson has showcased a consistent perimeter shot, ability to take the ball to the basket, and just general leadership on his team. He plays with savvy and a very controlled, calm pace that seems beyond what one would expect of a freshman. With his ball handling and perimeter skills, he can run a team as a point guard or point forward if he adds a few more inches.

Spirit Got Game Coach Bruce Robinson elaborates on Jackson's positives, "Kendrick's strengths are shooting the three pointer, shooting from the mid range, getting to the basket, finishing over defenders. He is also a fairly good passer and can find teammates most of the time when open."

Jackson's father went to high school in Salisbury, North Carolina before attending Western Nebraska Community College. He then played for the Minnesota Golden Gophers that included a trip to the Final Four. Thereafter, he was the 23rd pick in the 1997 NBA draft that started a thirteen year career in the league.

When asked about the possibility of playing Division I basketball, the younger Jackson says, "I think it is very competitive and a challenge. It takes hard work to get there and the best of the best college kids are playing in the NCAA. I think it would be great if I could make it to D1 and I know that does not come easy. So, I am going to continue on working hard and staying focused."

Jackson considers his game to be a shorter version of North Carolina Tar Heel Harrison Barnes. Of course, Jackson also incorporates some of his father's game.

"I think I have a couple of basketball moves that are very similar to him," says Jackson. "I get that from my teammates quite often. He teaches me things about the game all the time. So, of course I have learned and taught my self to do things that he did. But once it's said and done, I think I will be the better player. And I know from all his help, and my family's that that's the reason why."
Jackson would like to be a contributor for next season's Granite Bay team as he would like to contribute double digit points. He would like to see his team make a run at sections.

When asked about Jackson's temperament, Robinson states, "On the court, Kendrick is very energetic and shows a lot of emotions to get his team pumped at times. He can also be quite laid back to figure things out when things are not going so smooth on the court. Overall, he is a friendly but shy kid."

For the fans of the original Action Jackson (not the cinematic masterpiece starring Carl Weathers and Sharon Stone) on the basketball hardwood, a sequel may be in the works. Watch for this Grizzly to star in this production in Granite Bay, Calif.

Article 319: Summer Tip Off Day 1

July 15, 2012

The Nor Cal Summer Tip Off started its two day event at City College of San Francisco on Saturday. Over 30 college coaches attended the event to evaluate high school talent. Here is our scouting report from Day 1.

Rae Jackson 6-foot-3 PG El Cerrito (2013) Bay Area Magic: The Rodriguez transfer was apt at scoring inside or outside. He has a quick first step on his dribble drive. He fades away on his perimeter jump shot to give him space but does not seem to lose accuracy. Despite his scoring ability, he expects to be a point guard at the college level. He will make the trip with his Oakland Soldiers club for Peach Jam.

Blair Mendy 6-foot-3 PG Bellarmine (2013) Bay Area Bulls: Mendy is long with a good wingspan that helps with his rebounding and defense. He is a pass first guard who makes solid decisions. Per his club coach, Mendy is drawing interest as a guard and even as a wing from Ivy League schools if he can put on some weight.

Marquis Godfrey 6-foot-5 PF (2014) North Coast Express: Godfrey is long and lean but runs the floor well. He is a quick jumper and active around the basket. He broke his arm this past season but should see some major minutes in the upcoming season.

Brandon Thompson 6-foot-4 Wing Christian Brothers (2014) Team Sage Truth: Thompson plays fundamentally solid, has good size, and plays defense. He seems to play more in the post but has enough ball handling to be a perimeter prospect. His ball handling and offensive game will affect his recruiting.

Tim Jordan 6-foot-3 Wing Liberty (2013) Oakland Kings: The Liberty prospect is active in getting rebounds and hustles. He has the athleticism, size, and quickness to be a shooting guard but will need to display more consistent ball handling and perimeter shooting.

Lucas Vodka 6-foot-8 Post Nevada Union (2013) Davis Wildcats Elite 17: Vodka has a long wingspan and moves reasonably well for his size. He needs to bulk weight as he looks to be a back to the basket type of player. He is raw but his age and size work in his favor.

Desean Parsons 6-foot-6 Wing (2013) Play Hard Play Smart 16s: Grant looks to be loaded next season as Parson will be a good wing prospect for them. He plays the post for his summer club but looks to be an athletic slasher who runs the floor well and hustles on plays. His perimeter game can go a long way in determining his recruiting stock.

Jamaryion Simmons 6-foot-4 F Sheldon (2014) Team Sage Truth: The Sheldon prospect dribbles and passes well for his size. He needs to slim down and will he get any minutes on a loaded Sheldon roster next season.

Gabriel Vincent 6-foot-1 SG St. Mary's Stockton (2014) Oakland Soldiers 16U: Vincent hit several perimeter shots with good form. He slashes to the basket and runs the fast break well. Per his club coach, he has been the most consistent and complete player on the team during the offseason.

Raymond Bowles 6-foot-4 SG Modesto Christian (2013) Lakeshow Black 17: Bowles was sporting the mohawk but the added bulk in his frame was more noticeable. Already a skilled shooter and dribble drive scorer, his extra bulk will allow him to more accurate with his drives and give him post up advantages against smaller guards. His Modesto Christian team is loaded but he can still easily average 20 points a game next season.

Nate Amundsen 6-foot-5 PF Clovis East (2014) Organized Chaos 16U: The stocky Fresno based product is a lights out shooter. He plays smart but can slim down a bit to increase his stamina and agility. Per his club coach, Amundsen already has one college offer and he is easily the best perimeter shooter on any of the Chaos teams which is one of the better club teams overall.

John Robertson 6-foot-6 PF Orestimba (2015) Bay Area Magic: Only finishing his freshman year, Robertson shows much potential with his length, running, and jumping. He is still thin but has time to bulk up. He elevates with ease and had a few put back dunks. His perimeter skills development will dictate if he is a back to the basket or face up prospect.

Brandon Evers 6-foot-7 PF Enterprise (2014) Nor Cal Warriors 16U: The Redding resident has a big frame and knows how to use it to create space to score in the paint. He has reasonably good hands and is light on his feet.

Aaron Cameron 6-foot-0 G Sacramento (2013) Lakeshow White 17: Cameron is athletic and quick with good ball handling. He has an accurate and quick shooting release. He played above the rim in a few instances.

Cameron Oliver 6-foot-7 Post Grant (2014) Spirit Got Game Elite: The post prospect made two laser passes from outside the arc into the paint that were impressive assists. He does a lot of the things that one would want a prototypical post player to do. The Grant player should easily average a double double next season.

Devon Eisley 6-foot-6 PF El Cerrito (2015) Oakland Soldiers 15: El Cerrito looks to be stock piling talent for the next few years as Eisley runs the floor well and rebounds well for his size and position. He is still raw on offense but has the time to develop.

Joe Harrison 6-foot-2 SG Lincoln Stockton (2014) 209 Elite: Harrison has a lot of positives going for him as he went above the rim a few times and has solid jumping ability. He has a good frame and can go to the basket fearlessly. Development of his perimeter game and a few more inches in the next few years can really make him a complete scorer.

Devin Koeplin 5-foot-9 PG Dublin (2013) Davis Wildcats Elite 17: Koeplin is undersized as a point guard but make sup for it with his ball handling, passing, defense, and offensive skills. He plays fundamentally sound and directs traffic well. He has been a starter for Dublin since his sophomore year.

Malek Wren 5-foot-8 PG Grant (2013) Spirit Got Game Elite: Wren is undersized but hit a few open three point shots. He plays hard and runs the offense with good ball handling and quickness.

Michael Eggleton 5-foot-11 PG College Park (2013) Lakeshow Black 17: Another undersized point guard, Eggleton displayed all the other fundamentals expected of a point guard. He has good dribbling, passes well, directs the team, and has a perimeter shot to keep defenses honest.

Article 318: Friday the 13th Jamboree

July 14, 2012

On a foggy Friday the 13th, the NorCal Juco Summer Jamboree hosted its two day tournament at Skyline College in San Bruno. Over 30 college coaches attended the event to scout the JUCO talent. Here is a look at some of the top players.

Charles Standifer 6-foot-5 Wing Cosumnes River: Standifer was at San Francisco the past two years as he played as a freshman but redshirted as a sophomore this past year. He still has three years of eligibility but will likely use one at Cosumnes River. Standifer has a good inside and outside game as he does not fear playing in the post. He complements that with a good mid-range perimeter shot.

Quincy Smith 6-foot-0 PG City College of San Francisco: Smith was at La Jolla Prep this past season where he played an abridged season of ten games due to an ankle injury. He had a few schools who were interested in him but they shied away from giving a full scholarship due to his shortened season. Despite that, Smith looked very good in his ball handling, quickness, and ability to get to the basket. He plays very aggressive and could benefit from playing a full season, as he had to sit out his senior year at Deer Valley due to transfer issues.

James Glass 6-foot-4 SG Chabot: Glass plays above the rim with ease. He is a good leaper who has quick feet. The Southern California based Dorsey product has the frame and athleticism to be a shooting guard.

Joshua Amey 5-foot-11 PG Merritt: Amey will be going into his second year at Merritt as the point guard. Since his days at Berkeley, Amey has bulked up and can take contact better in the paint now. Per Amey, he has drawn interest from Idaho, Pepperdine, and San Francisco State.

Chuks Iroegbu 6-foot-4 Wing City College of San Francisco: Iroegbu was a redshirt at Washington State this past season. He decided to return back to Northern California as Iroegbu still has four years of college eligibility. Iroegbu looked to have improved his perimeter game and ball handling skills since his days at Franklin. He still plays physical and is not afraid of taking contact.

Devante Kerr-Hall 6-foot-3 SG Undecided: Kerr-Hall graduated from Arroyo and was at Southwestern Oregon Community College for his freshman year. He is a very good scorer either from the perimeter or taking the ball to the basket. He has a good frame for a guard.

Harold Perry 6-foot-7 F Alameda: The former Pinole product showed good athleticism and ability with his inside game. He may not have enough size to be a power forward and still needs to have a more consistent perimeter game to be a wing or small forward. But his physical attributes and basketball skills are there for him to play for a four year program.

Franky Johnson 6-foot-1 SG Napa Valley: Johnson showed good form and consistency in his three point shooting as he hit at least five three point shots in his second game. He is undersized which may cause his recruiting to depend on his ball handling and passing skills. The former Rodriguez prospect will go into his second year of JUCO play.

Kenneth Woodard 5-foot-10 PG Undecided: Woodard was a Terra Linda graduate who played at Skyline JC this past season. He has good ball handling skills and made good decisions in his passing. He also hit a few perimeter shots.

Casey Norris 6-foot-1 G Ohlone: The Newark Memorial product looks to be the starting point guard as a freshman for Ohlone. He still plays in a crafty and shifty manner. He will need to expand his passing and decision making skills to be recruited more as a point guard.

Cody Wilcox 6-foot-7 PF Sierra: Wilcox ran the floor well for a player with a big frame. He showed good footwork in the post. The Nevada Union product may still be undersized for a power forward, as he may need to expand his perimeter game.

Miguel French 6-foot-5 Wing Cosumnes River: French just graduated from Lindhurst and has good potential. He is long and lean, but can hold his ground in the paint. His long wingspan helps him be disruptive on the defensive end. He needs to develop his perimeter game to further his potential.

Rodney Cook 5-foot-11 PG Cosumnes River: The Bethel product looks to have taken the JUCO route, as he is comfortable handling the ball and driving to the paint. His toughness in his play is there but concerns may exist about his size.

Chris Read 6-foot-4 Wing Ohlone: Read still plays with the same athleticism and hustle that he did when he was with Castro Valley. He goes to the basket strong and runs the floor well. His quickness and length helps him on the defensive end as well. A more consistent perimeter shot would help improve his recruiting.

Brett Parichan 6-foot-3 SG Reedley: Parichan plays for the Fresno County JUCO Reedley. He is deceptively quick and has long arms to cause a few steals. He plays crafty with good positioning and screens to create his offense.

Jalil Eppinger 6-foot-3 SG Merritt: Eppinger returns from Stoneridge Prep in Southern California. According to him, he had an offer from a Division II program in Alabama but wanted to continue improving his game to get more Division I looks. The former Berkeley product still is a clutch and versatile scorer.

Jordan Greenwell 6-foot-5 F Undecided: Greenwell was a Hogan graduate who was with Napa Valley the past two seasons. He is deceptively quick for his size. He made some good post moves but his recruiting potential will depend on his perimeter game and ball handling.

Article 317: Apple doesn't fall far from tree

July 12, 2012

The expression, "the apple does not fall far from the tree," has a few meanings for the Manning family out of Elk Grove (Calif). Both father and son, Rich and Ryan Manning, have been dominant post players on the basketball scene in the Sacramento area.

Rich Manning was a star center for the aptly named Center High back in the 1980s when he set several high school and Sac-Joaquin Section statistical records. He was on varsity for three years in which his teams were unbeaten in league play. Manning's senior team was in the Section playoffs which he established CIF playoff scoring records.

He then went on to play for a younger but still bald Jim Boeheim at Syracuse University where he played alongside Derrick Coleman and Leron Ellis. Manning then transferred back to his native state of Washington, which is the country's leading producer of apples - the fruit, not the technology devices and gadgets, where he averaged close to 17 points and 7 rebounds in his two seasons for the Washington Huskies. Manning would be a second round pick of the Atlanta Hawks as he would play three seasons in the NBA and would make various stops on the CBA and the international scenes.

At 6-foot-6 and 185 pounds, the younger Manning is a versatile power forward for the Sheldon Huskies. The 2013 prospect has been on varsity for three years and been a starter for the last two years as his team has been a powerhouse in the Delta River League in the Sac-Joaquin Section. Last season, Sheldon went 29-6 and advanced to the state finals. Manning contributed 10.8 points, 6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists for the season.

Sheldon Coach Joey Rollings says, "Ryan's strengths are that he is a very hard worker, he never quits at anything he does, and he wants to be the best. He put hours in the gym training to get better. He is also very intelligent, very easy to coach, and catches on quickly. On the court, he is one of our best shooters, he has improved his three point shooting considerably, and is probably our best shooter. He is willing to play any spot on the floor. He has a great attitude and wants to win at all cost."

On a Sheldon program that has been loaded with Division I prospects the last few years, Manning still has been a key contributor and has been responsible for most of the physical play in the post. As a college prospect, he projects to be more of a small forward than a center like his father.

When asked to compare the younger Manning to the elder Manning, Rollings says, "I never saw big Rich play in high school, but I know he earned his points in the paint banging. Ryan is more of a swing guard a - finesse shooting guard, but don't get me wrong, he will get inside and bang as well. I think their games are the same in the drive and determination they both have to be the best."

As a result, Manning's game is similar to German product Dirk Nowitzki because he is a big man that plays inside and outside that can find his shot anywhere on the floor. Manning is a finesse shooter because he is smooth and deliberate and can pull the jump shot at any time from any spot on the floor. His best move is a lift fake, with one to two dribble, and then a jump shot because it is a high percentage shot with a fast pull up.

During the past few summers, Manning has been running with the Play Hard Play Smart Elite club. He works on his jump shot, as he wants to extend his perimeter range and accuracy. With high school and club teammates, Dakarai Allen and D'Erryl Williams, Manning has benefited from their exposure as well.

This Husky has a 4.06 weighted GPA and considers Mathematics to be his favorite subject as he would like to major in Criminal Justice. He wants to play for a program that can help him improve and succeed at a high level. The program would run a fast break offense and set offensive schemes. He would like to be on the west coast and wants to have an academically challenging curriculum.

Rollings comments on Manning's college potential, "I think offensively he is going to be great for a team that needs a big shooter. Ryan will do well at any school if they use him at the right spot. If he gets a little quicker defensively and more aggressive on the boards offensively, he is going to be hard to defend when he is done growing. He is a slasher and shooter."

As of now, Manning has not received any offers but is getting contact from Cal Poly (Sam Kirby), Northern Colorado (Shawn Ellis), Stanford (Charles Payne), UC Davis (Jim Les), UC Santa Barbara (Matt Stack), and San Francisco (Rex Walters). Manning was a high performing baseball player but only plans to play basketball at the next level. He aims for a 16 point and 10 rebound average next season and a return trip to the State Championship game.

Coach Rollings muses about Manning from a broader perspective, "I think one thing about Ryan is that he is an amazing kid and I hope my son turns out like him. He listens to what you have to say, he is never disrespectful, and he wants to be the best at what ever he does. In the classroom, he excels and maintains about a 4.2 GPA easily. On the floor, he puts time into getting better everyday and he is the kind of kid you don't have to watch, he will come and workout on his own. He is also a very good baseball player. Ryan is going to be hard to guard this year, 6`6 body right now, a great shooter and a good leaper. Once he realizes what he can do, there will be no stopping him."

Like his father's Center teams back in the 1980s, Manning's Sheldon teams have been the dominant team in the Sacramento area recently. Like his father, watch for the younger Manning to make the jump to a Division I program as the apple does not fall far from the tree in Elk Grove.

Article 316: Ugbaja the Crusaders' savior

July 10, 2012

When basketball season starts in November, the West Catholic Athletic League will boast some of the more highly regarded programs in Archbishop Mitty, Serra, and St. Ignatius. Conversely, Archbishop Riordan has not had a winning season since 2007-2008 and was not as dominant in the WCAL since 2006-2007 when they featured Rob Jones who went on to star for St. Mary's College. The Crusaders finished 10-16 (5-20 forfeited due to an ineligible player) in 2011-2012 but may have hit rock bottom.

Next season's team will feature the No. 36 ranked player in the NorCalPreps.com 2014 boys basketball rankings, Jiday Ugbaja, whose name in his native dialect of Nigerian means "Savior." The combination guard was in and out of the starting lineup in his first year on varsity during this past season but should be a prime contributor next season at 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds.

Ugbaja was on the vaunted Oakland Soldiers 15U club last summer. "Jiday is incredibly quick and explosive off the dribble," says Soldiers Coach Nick Enzweiler. "He has a great ability to get to the basket. He is a great ball handler and can go by defenders at will."

This Crusader has the size and explosiveness to be compared to former Memphis Tiger Tyreke Evans because of his ability to get to the basket and can impose his will on smaller guards. Ugbaja is best described as a power player who can slash. He utilizes a quick spin move to create open space for himself.

Enzweiler, who prepped at Campolindo High and spent time at UTEP and Cal Poly collegiately, has this critique. "I would like to see Jiday improve his outside jump shot and his decision making on the court but keep in mind that he was one of the youngest players on the Soldiers 15U team last year. So, he has a lot of time to grow and develop. In my opinion, Jiday is a versatile guard because he can play both point and shooting guard."

Ugbaja will play for the Norcal Panthers for the upcoming July evaluation periods. The rising junior wants to play for a program where the coaches coach and the team plays with an up-tempo but disciplined manner.

"Jiday has a lot of potential because he is a terrific athlete and has a lot of skills that make him a good guard," says Enzweiler. "At least for me, I think it may be too early to project his status at the next level but if he continues to improve and work hard-which I believe he will-he will be a solid D1 prospect."

Players who physically train to get better are no surprise. Players who work on the courts to get better are no surprise. But players who are mentally challenging themselves, that is not always a given.

"One of the things I like most about Jiday is that he wants to be a great player," says Enzweiler. "When I coached him last year on the Soldiers 15U team, he was always asking me questions about how he can improve his game, what things he should be doing to gain an advantage on the opposition. As a coach, you have a tendency to gravitate toward the players with the best attitudes and Jiday is the type of player and kid you gravitate towards."

Archbishop Riordan had a fairly underwhelming season this past year. But things are looking up for the Crusaders. Watch for Ugbaja to be the "Savior" for Riordan off of Ocean Avenue in the City.

Article 315: NorCal Summer Preview

July 8, 2012

July is the month that has three viewing periods for college basketball recruiting. The NorCal Summer Preview at City College of San Francisco was a tune up for college prospects before evaluations begin. Here is a look at some of the top players from the event.

Benson Osayande 6-foot-7 Post Franklin (2014) Team Sage Truth: The lanky post player has time to put on bulk but is already effective with his activity and length. He is not polished on the offensive end but has some serviceable post moves. Franklin loses both Theo Johnson (graduation) and Darin Johnson (transfer) but Osayande could lessen the blow with his potential.

Aaron Cochran 6-foot-9 Post Buhach Colony (2013) Bay Area Hoosiers: The football prospect moves laterally well and runs the court well. His basketball game is raw but he takes up space and poses as a matchup problem just by his size. His hands are soft enough that he is able to corral rebounds. Basketball is probably an afterthought for Cochran, but his size makes him intriguing on the hardwood.

Israel Gutierrez 6-foot-9 PF Tec de Monterrey (2012) Bay Area Hoosiers: Gutierrez just arrived from Monterrey, Mexico to join the Hoosiers' club for their upcoming July road trip. The power forward is quick on his feet and can play physical. He runs the floor well and looks to have solid fundamentals in his movement and positioning. He plays more of the European and International style of power forwards who are versatile and not just low post bruisers.

Cameron Oliver 6-foot-7 F Grant Union (2014) Spirit Got Game Elite: Grant may be on the rise with Oliver as a solid post prospect who runs the floor and moves well for his size on both ends of the court. Oliver has a long wingspan that helps with his defense and rebounding. He stepped into many shots with a fluid motion and just has a nice shooting touch for a post player.

Kendrick Jackson 6-foot-3 SG Granite Bay (2015) Spirit Got Game Elite: Just finishing his freshman year, the son of Sacramento Kings Assistant Coach Bobby Jackson has good size and plays in a controlled manner. As a late season varsity call up, Jackson will be key for his Granite Bay team next season as he creates matchup problems and he facilitates well on offense. He hit several perimeter shots and has good length to be disruptive on the perimeter passing lanes. As a comparison, Jackson is already bigger than his father and projects to be more skilled as well.

Joe Harrison 6-foot-2 SG Lincoln Stockton (2014) 209 Elite: Harrison is an explosive and quick guard who can play above the rim. He plays tough and is effective in the post for a guard.

Justin Patton 6-foot-3 Wing Sierra (2013) Modesto Pirates: The Sierra product has a nose for loose balls and offensive rebounds. He is undersized for his position but his hustle play and defensive effort are intangibles. His recruiting will depend on his perimeter game unless he can add a few inches.

Guillermo Nunez 6-foot-0 G Sierra (2013) Modesto Pirates: Nunez is a gritty guard who has an accurate perimeter game but also works in the paint on both ends. He plays heady but his size may be a factor in his recruiting.

Shon Briggs 6-foot-5 F Heritage (2014) G-Vision Sports: Briggs played primarily in the post as he can throw his weight around. At his size, Briggs looks comfortable handling the ball but will need to extend his perimeter range. He will return to his Oakland Soldiers squad when they are back in action.

Tim Jordan 6-foot-4 Wing Liberty (2013) G-Vision Sports: The Liberty prospect is active and is a high energy player who is comfortable going to the basket. He has quick hands on defense and moves well laterally.

Terrence White 6-foot-1 PG Inderkum (2014) Team Sage Truth: The left handed point guard plays low to the ground and tough as he can overpower smaller defenders. He plays with a subtle calm that would serve a point guard well. White comes across as a gritty player that does not back down on either ends.

Jeremee Churchill 6-foot-2 SG Grant Union (2014) Spirit Got Game Elite: Churchill is a stocky shooting guard who has a nice pull up jump shot. He has good size to allow him to post up smaller guards or help with rebounding. Grant looks to be on the rise the next two years.

Alex Van Dyke 6-foot-6 Wing Cosumnes Oaks (2014) All Star Sports Predators Elite: Van Dyke has good length and size. He is athletic and handles the ball reasonably well. He averaged 10 points and 5.6 rebounds this past season and looks to build on those numbers next season.

Markel Leonard 6-foot-0 PG Salesian (2013) Bay Area Hoosiers: The Salesian point guard looks to remain aggressive both on the court and on the recruiting trail despite having his orbital bone (underneath his eye) fractured earlier in the spring by a teammate's head. Fully healed, Leonard looked for his shot, especially taking the ball to the paint. Recently, he was in attendance at the Princeton basketball camp as he has at least twelve schools interested in him that include Brown, Portland, Princeton, San Diego State, Santa Clara, UC Davis, and Yale.

Jack Gale 6-foot-5 Wing University (2014) Bay Area Warriors 16s: Gale is long and plays bigger than his slight frame in the post. He projects to be a wing at the next level. His size could help University mix things up in their usual multi guard sets.

Joshua Allen 6-foot-7 F Downey (2012) Blue Demons 17U: The Modesto based product displayed a high level of athleticism as he has good leaping ability, quick lateral movement, and high agility. Without full knowledge of his academic status, Allen could be a good but late pick up for a four year program as his athleticism and size allows him to be versatile on the floor.

Temidayo Yussuf 6-foot-6 F St. Joseph Notre Dame (2014) Oakland Rebels Red: Yussuf plays the post for both his high school and club teams but will likely be a small forward or wing on the college level. But he displayed some serious toughness, as he had to take repeated physical blows from the two post players from the Bay Area Hoosiers. Offensively, he used good wisdom in deciding when to pull up for his shots and when to take it strong to the rim.

Derrick Clayton 6-foot-5 SG Castro Valley (2014) Oakland Rebels Red: The shooting guard did indeed do a lot of that as Clayton was looking for his shots on the day. But that is okay as his length and clean shooting form should enable him to put up some big scoring games next season.

Spencer Hollie 6-foot-5 PF Dublin (2013) 707s Finest Elite: Hollie held his own against the Bay Area Hoosiers post players despite being undersize in his height. In addition, Hollie hit some nice mid-range shots. To no surprise, Hollie plays football as a defensive end and offensive tackle for Dublin and probably is a better football prospect.

Matthew Hayes 6-foot-0 SG Pleasant Grove (2013) 707s Finest Elite: Hayes has an accurate perimeter game from anywhere on his side of the court. He is undersize for his position but has the always needed skill of scoring as he can also create space for his own perimeter shots.

Article 314: Up and Away with Galloway

July 2, 2012

"You can't teach height" is a classic basketball axiom. The phrase conveys how taller players are in very high demand in the sport. This is indeed the case for 2014 prospect Johnathan Galloway who stands 6-foot-9 and 200 pounds.

Galloway averaged eight points, eight rebounds, and six blocks as his Liberty Lions went 21-7. The power forward prospect runs the floor well and is advanced skill wise for his grade. Galloway likens his game to former Georgia Tech Yellowjacket Chris Bosh.

Galloway has a solid mid range game, has post moves including a serviceable hook shot, and is comfortable playing with his back to the basket. His height allows him to block shots, play solid post defense, and help with weak side defense.

During this summer, Galloway plays for his Oakland Soldiers 16 club. He is working on getting bigger and is training to be more explosive.

Oakland Soldiers Head Coach Nick Enzweiler says, "Johnathan is very long so he can rebound the ball very well at times. In addition, his length makes him a great shot blocker. He also has a very nice 15 foot shot. He is working on become a more efficient scorer with his back to the basket but it is a work in progress. Johnathan has a strong drive and he wants to get better and is willing to put in the time to improve his game. Johnathan has a lot of potential and he is working with private coaches and personal trainers in order to reach his goal of becoming a great player."

The recruiting process is early for Galloway but he is open in terms of the geography. He wants to play for a program that has a running mentality.

"Johnathan is probably one of the top college prospects on the Soldiers 16U team because of his height and his extraordinary length," says Enzweiler. "One thing you cannot teach is height. If Johnathan becomes 6-foot-11 or 7-foot, then he is going to be in high demand. In order for him to succeed at the next level, he will need to increase his upper body strength and become a more physical player in the paint."

Galloway has a 3.7 GPA currently. He wants to be a leader for his Liberty team that lost a fair number of varsity members. He plans to set a high standard for his teammates and plans to be vocal with them.

"Academically Johnathan is an outstanding student, says Enzweiler. "I believe he has a 3.7 GPA right now and is determined to get that GPA up to 4.0. To my knowledge, Johnathan does not play any other sports, although he would probably be a great volleyball player because of his height. Johnathan puts all of his focus on basketball and school."

Galloway should be one of the next 2014 post prospects in Northern California to get some recruiting buzz after the summer season. Then watch for this Lion go up and away in Brentwood, Calif.