ArizonaPreps.com - 2009 Fullcourt Press All-Frosh/Soph Camp

November 4, 2009

Dinos Trigonis
Special to ArizonaPreps.com

The 9th Annual Fullcourt Press All-Frosh/Soph Camp that was held at Cabrillo HS (Long Beach CA) last month (October 3-4) featured 180 top 2012 and 2013 players (along with a few talented 2014 ballers) from California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Kansas, New Mexico, Wyoming and Hawaii.

The camp began with the customary terrific skills instruction by former NCAA D-I and NBA assistant coach Dave Miller (MVPCamp.com) and continued with four competitive rounds of games that showcased the depth of the young talent present.

Media/scouts present included event co-director Dinos Trigonis (Fullcourt Press, Nothing But Net & Hoop Scoop), event co-director Etop Udo-Ema (Fullcourt Press & Hoopmasters), Frank Burlison (Long Beach Press-Telegram), Ronnie Flores (ESPNRise.com), Joel Francisco (ESPN.com), Sean Ceglinsky (Nothing But Net), Greg Hicks (Scouthoops.com), Gerry Freitas (Hoop Review), Dave Keefer, Jack Nelson & Dave Rogahn (CaliforniaPreps.com), Dave Nahabedian (Networx), Roy White (WestCoastHoopsReport.com), Victoria Sun (Nothing But Net), Matt Rodriguez (BallisLife.com), Neal Nieves (Coast2CoastRecruiting.net) and Nick Koza (Sportsamp.com).

The camp's top 50 players were selected by the camp staff and media present and were showcased in the two "cream of the crop" games held at the conclusion of the event. In the Top 25 Game, it was the White squad outlasting the Black team 151-149 in OT. Elite national soph 6'5" Shabazz Muhammad (Gorman/Las Vegas NV) was present but did not play due to an ankle injury.

This is the first of a two-part series re-capping the camp. Please keep in mind that this a very early look at underclass prospects that have much room for future growth and are all "unfinished" products.

In part I of this report, we will highlight the Top 25 selections (listed by alphabetical order):

Top 25 Cream of the Crop Selections
(In Alphabetical Order)

Rosco Allen 6'7" So. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas NV)
- Emerging national prospect has made great strides during the past year. Allen is a skilled Adam Morrison-type scoring forward that possesses a soft scoring touch in the paint as well as having terrific ability to knock down shots from beyond the arc. Very good student (3.5 GPA).

David Andoh 6'7" So. Santa Teresa (San Jose CA)
- One of the most improved players in this class on the West Coast, this long lefty combo-forward is active on the glass and plays with an intense motor. David is also an excellent rebounder (had 9 boards in top game) and a legitimate threat to face-up and score anywhere within 17 feet. Andoh spent his freshman year at Mitty (San Jose CA). Brother 6'8" Enoch Andoh plays at Bucknell.

Demetrius Balark 6'1" So. Kellis (Peoria AZ)
- Crafty PG is a lefty with excellent ball control and has dangerous ability to beat defenders off the dribble. Very good upside if his shot continues to improve. High-major schools such as Oregon State already have him on their radar.

Khalid Banks 5'11" So. Cheyenne (N. Las Vegas NV)
- Poised playmaker has nice ability to run a team and a potent outside shot that must be respected.

Chass Bryan 5'9" So. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village CA)
- Quick and elusive point has very smooth ballhandling skills and a soft shooting touch. Pin-point passer (4 assists in top game) is also an underrated defender too (3 steals). Currently one of the most underrated 2012 PGs in the West, Chass is only a growth spurt away from potentially being a top national prospect. Off the charts student (4.4 GPA).

Ben Carter 6'7" So. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas NV)
- Burly physical rebounder is not a high-flyer but is a very productive and assertive post player.

Eric Cooper Jr. 6'2" Fr. La Verne Lutheran (La Verne CA)
- Multi-dimensional lead guard is oozing with potential and his talents are already well known within Pac-10 circles. Very good student plays with great poise and has excellent ability to take and make long distance shots. Father Eric Cooper Sr. is his coach at La Verne Lutheran and a former 6'5" college guard that played at Arizona and UT-San Antonio in the 1980's.

Dalante Dunklin 6'0" So. Parker (San Diego CA)
- Excellent defender has quick hands (3 steals in top game) and is a very dependable ballhandler in the half-court set.

Zena Edsowoman 6'6" So. Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood CA)
- Rapidly improving forward is very agile and a tenacious rebounder and defender. Very good student.

Aaron Gordon 6'6" Fr. Mitty (San Jose CA)
- While brother and UCLA soph Drew Gordon is known as physical PF, Aaron has a much more versatile game - especially on the offensive end. Aaron is long and athletic but it is his advanced offensive skills that make him a very valuable long-term prospect and his impressive performance here clearly places him among the very top 2013 players in the nation. Underrated passer too (4 assists in top game).

Isaac Hamilton 6'3" Fr. Crenshaw (Los Angeles CA)
- High-octane offense runs in the Hamilton family and Isaac looks to follow in the footsteps of older brother and current Texas freshman Jordan Hamilton as a potentially great scorer at the high school and college levels. Currently as good a freshman point producer as there is on the West Coast, Isaac has a nose for the ball and the skills to be a sought-after high-major recruit.

Jaffar Holmes 5'11" So. Poly (Long Beach CA)
- One of the surprises of the camp, Holmes was on fire from 3-point range all camp long and it was this accuracy that earned him a spot in the top all-star game.

Grant Jerrett 6'8" So. La Verne Lutheran (La Verne CA)
- Jerrett's performance here (in my opinion) left no doubt as to whom the top West Coast 2012 post "prospect" is. Grant has a remarkable combination of inside-outside skills that make him a difficult match-up for opposing interior defenders. Great footwork, a feathery touch, effective use of ball-fakes and an amazing assertiveness allow him to be tremendous scorer in the paint (ala Kevin McHale) and his terrific range on his perimeter shot (ala Bill Laimbeer) allows him to extend defenses to the maximum extent possible. When he fully grows into his lanky frame (his size 17 foot indicates the possibility of a few more inches) and becomes stronger and gets more athletic as his body matures, Grant could very well evolve into what my good friend Brick Oettinger (Prep Stars) calls a "near-super" prospect.

Darian Johnson 6'2" Fr. Franklin (Elk Grove CA)
- Quick slashing scorer was unknown prior to arriving in Long Beach but left a lasting impression on the scouts and media in attendance here.

Xavier Johnson 6'6" So. Chapparal (Temecula CA)
- Already one of the top national prospects in the 2012 class, "X" is a long and athletic lefty that is becoming more assertive on the offensive end and his improved jump shot bodes well for his future development. Excellent student and great kid!

Maurice Kirby 6'7" Fr. Flagstaff (Flagstaff AZ)
- Long and active forward is raw in many ways but his high energy, excellent attitude and character and blue-collar work-ethic make him a 2013 prospect to closely monitor. Very good student too!

Chance Murray 6'1" Fr. Price (Los Angeles CA)
- Along with Cooper, Murray is among the top 2 freshman guard prospects in Southern California. Smooth lead guard with excellent court instincts, Murray has the confidence necessary to evolve into a top national recruit.

Brenden Otero 6'5" So. Palisades (Los Angeles CA)
- Hardworking and strong forward played consistently well here and showed ability to play inside the paint as well as outside on the perimeter. Great kid!

Roschon Prince 6'5" So. Poly (Long Beach CA)
- Fabolous frosh arrived on the high-school scene with a tremendous national reputation - led Dream Vision to the 14 & under AAU national title last August in Orlando FL. Good hands and excellent feel for the game make him a force anytime he gets his hands on the ball. Tremendous football prospect also (is a standout receiver).

KJ Pritchard 6'3" So. Lawrence (Lawrence KS)
- Savvy combo-guard is the son of former Kansas star and current Portland Trailblazer GM Kevin Pritchard. Heady player makes good decisions and has range to the 3-point stripe.

Winston Shepard 6'8" So. Findlay (Henderson NV)
- The overall camp MOP is a match-up nightmare for opposing teams! Too quick for bigger defenders and too athletic and long for perimeter opponents, this Cedric Ceballos-type combination forward created havoc for defenders all camp long and is a Top 10 caliber national prospect. Only player that had a "double-double" (12 points/14 boards) in the top game.

Matt Shrigley 6'5" So. La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad CA)
- Dan Majerle-type swingman is very athletic and plays with great confidence. Effective slashing scorer makes tough shots.

Ronnie Stanley 6'6" So. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas NV)
- Big physical power-forward is a force on the glass (had 10 boards in top game) and can score with his back to the basket.

David Travers 5'11" So. La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad CA)
- Polished floor-general has a very high basketball IQ as well as real 3-point range on his jump shot. Very good student. Spent freshman year at Bishop's School (La Jolla CA).

Parker U'u 6'4" So. Jesuit (Carmichael CA)
- Strong off-guard has a pop in his step as well as real ability to knock down perimeter shots.

Sharif Watson 6'5" So. Rowland (Rowland Heights CA)
- Wiry and athletic swingman is technically a junior but intends to spend a post-grad year at a prep school after his California senior season in 2010-2011.

Gabe York 6'2" So. Orange Lutheran (Orange CA)
- Sensational scoring lead guard was the MVP of the Top 25 game - knocking down 19 points including several key buckets late in the game that allowed his White squad to outlast its Black counterparts. Very creative off the dribble, Gabe is an exceptional shooter from long-range and his play here warrants his inclusion into any Top 25 national 2012 discussion.

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