SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA -- The Double Pump Summer Tip-Off in Anaheim and Pangos Sweet 16 in Long Beach went head-to-head this past week, and as a result there were a plethora of elite-level prospects to scope out in Southern California.
After the first evaluation period ended on Sunday, there were two guards who stood head and shoulders above the rest: Jeremy Hemsley (La Verne, Calif./Damien) and Devin Watson (San Diego/Army & Navy).
Here’s a look at all the top performers from the Double Pump Tip-Off and Pangos 16.
Co-MVPs
Devin Watson (San Diego/Army & Navy)
2015, PG/SG, 6-0, 155
Status: Claims offers from Oregon State, UTEP, San Diego, Cal State Northridge and Northern Arizona
Watson came into the first evaluation period with the fearless competitive nature we have grown to expect from him. The undersized scoring point guard is a high-level bucket getter who can drain 3-point shots, nail mid-range pull-ups or slash his way to the rim. His Tyus Edney-like game-winning full-court layup was a thing of beauty. He is much more scorer than facilitator, but he does have the ability to drop off a nifty assist at times.
Jeremy Hemsley (La Verne, Calif./Damien)
2015, SG, 6-2, 175
Status: Claims offers from Arizona State, UNLV, UConn, Boston College, New Mexico, San Diego State, UC Irvine and Northern Arizona
Hemsley was on the border of making the ESPN 60, but if his play continues at the level he exhibited at the Double Pump Summer Tip Off, it will be difficult to keep him out of the rankings. The all-around guard has some Jrue Holiday in him as he affects the game at both ends. He is relentless in transition and will either attack the rim or drop off a high-level assist. However, the improvement of his jump shot is what has elevated his game to national status.
Best True Point Guard
Robert Cartwright (Pasadena, Calif./Flintridge Prep)
2014, PG, 6-2, 165
Status: Claims offers and heavy interest from Stanford, San Diego, USC, Rice and Harvard
Cartwright is the truest of the true point guard types out West. He plays the game on balance, makes the right basketball play at all times and he can defend as well. He has a nice burst, has multiple speeds to his game and has showed marked improvement on his jump shot.
Biggest Enigma
Jordan McLaughlin (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Etiwanda)
2014, PG, 6-0, 155
Status: UCLA, USC, San Diego State, Indiana, Gonzaga, Kansas and UNLV are involved
I’m not sure what has happened to McLaughlin in the last six months, but this isn't the same player who dominated the competition a year ago. He has had a few injuries here and there, but his assist-to-turnover ratio has not been ideal for a player of his stature. In addition, he doesn't appear to be as explosive going to the rim (missed numerous layups last week, as well as at LeBron James Skills Academy) and his jump shot (fades way, lacks lift) has been erratic whereas before it was a major weapon. McLaughlin is still an elite prospect, but his attention to detail and urgency at both ends needs to improve.
Most Improved
Chance Comanche (Los Angeles/View Park)
2015, C, 6-10, 210
Status: Claims offers from Colorado, USC, Arizona and Oregon
For most bigs, it takes time to reach their potential -- and Comanche is no exception. The process has been methodical with him, but the improvements in his all-around game are being revealed. He has great length, good instincts in the paint at both ends and an evolving post game. His strengths are his shot blocking, passing and overall feel for the game. Once he gains strength, his game will blossom.
Stocks on the Rise
Makol Mawien (West Valley City, Utah/Granger)
2015, PF, 6-9, 215
Status: Claims interest from BYU, Utah and Utah State
Although Mawien is not at the level of Stephen Zimmerman, Ivan Rabb or even Chase Jeter, he does have the physical gifts to be mentioned in the same breath someday. Mawien has broad shoulders, long arms, magnetic hands and great feet. He is still raw, but this bouncy 4-man exhibited the type of footwork in the paint that screamed upside.
Darrian Traylor (Las Vegas/Centennial)
2015, PG/SF, 6-2, 170
Status: Claims interest from Santa Clara, Pepperdine, Harvard, Brown, Cal State Fullerton and UC Irvine
Traylor is neither a point guard nor a scoring guard -- he is just a guard. He can knock down jump shots from everywhere and he gets good lift on his shot. He'll also rebound in traffic, lead the break and either score or hand out an assist.
Biggest Surprise
Jamar Akoh (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Los Osos)
2014, PF, 6-7, 225
Status: Claims interest from UC Davis, UC Riverside, Pepperdine, ,Santa Clara, UC Santa Barbara, Arizona State and Richmond
The bulky Akoh has a knack for playing this game. He has a strong frame, long arms and soft hands. He can face up a defender and knock in the elbow jump shot, but it's the other aspects of the game (his savvy in particular) that elevate this multi-skilled 4-man to Division I status.
Most Improved
Jesse Wade (Kaysville, Utah/Davis)
2015, PG, 6-0, 150
Status: Claims an offer from Utah State with interest from Gonzaga, BYU, Utah, Vanderbilt, Harvard, Columbia, Rice, Washington State, Stanford, San Francisco and Boise State
Wade has improved in all facets of the game. He is a solid point guard prospect with a high IQ and an evolving pull-up game. His dribble-drive moves are tight and efficient and his jump shot is dependable.
Sherron Wilson (Las Vegas/Clark)
2014, SF, 6-6, 215
Status: Claims an offer from Air Force with interest from Loyola Marymount, Northern Colorado and Santa Clara
Wilson has a long arms, soft hands and deep range on his jump shot. When his feet are set, he can be a deadly shooter off the catch. He also rebounded fairly well in traffic and dropped off some nice assists in the half-court set.
Most Versatile
D.J. Wilson (Sacramento, Calif./Capital Christian)
2014, SF/PF, 6-8, 215
Status: Claims offers from Boise State, Colorado, Cal Poly, Nevada and Loyola Marymount with gaining interest from most of the Pac-12, Mountain West, Georgetown and Notre Dame
Wilson has many of the physical traits scouts look for in a skilled combo forward. He is still growing at almost 6-9 and his ball skills in the open court and his 3-point shot are impressive. He can face up defenders and maneuver his way to the rim as well, but his assertiveness at both ends needs attention.
Ray Smith (Las Vegas/Las Vegas)
2015, SF, 6-7, 190
Status: Claims offers from UNLV, San Diego State and Northern Arizona and has interest from Oregon, Oklahoma, USC, Arizona State and Texas
Smith is a talented wing who can do just about everything a coach will need at the next level. He can handle the ball in the open court, knock in shots and his overall athleticism is impressive. He has a tendency to play in spurts, but he does appear to be a high-IQ player.
Nate Grimes (Las Vegas/Desert Pines)
2015, SF, 6-6, 190
Status: Claims interest from Arizona State, Auburn, Colorado, Iowa, Marquette, Massachusetts, San Diego State, UCLA, UNLV and Utah
Grimes is blessed with long arms, broad shoulders and a soft shooting touch that stretches out to 20 feet. He is also a gifted shot blocker, but in order for his game to go to another level, his urgency on the defensive end and willingness to rebound in traffic will need to improve.
Best Defender
Daryl Gaynor (Las Vegas/Durango)
2014, SG, 6-1, 160
Status: Claims an offer from Northern Arizona with interest from St. Mary's, Santa Clara, Nevada, Cal State Northridge, Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Bakersfield
When it comes to relentless defensive pressure and explosive plays at the rim, Gaynor has few peers out West. The undersized scoring guard can lock up either guard position due to his long arms, active hands and exceptional lateral quickness.
Best Passer
Justin Simon (Temecula, Calif./Temecula Valley)
2015, PG/SG, 6-4, 185
Status: Claims offers from New Mexico, San Diego, UC Irvine, Santa Clara and San Jose State
Simon plays with great energy at both ends and is an explosive athlete. He is tough to stop in the open court with his ability to slash to the rim or drop off a high-level assist. He needs to improve his pace (plays too fast at times) and become a more consistent shooter, but his progress has been quite good.
Best Inside-and-Out
Brady Twombly (Carlsbad, Calif./La Costa Canyon)
2015, SF, 6-5, 200
Status: Big West and WCC schools are showing interest
Twombly is physical wing who affects the game at both ends. His energy and basketball IQ create winning plays for his team. He can knock down 3s, finish with power at the rim or post up smaller defenders.
Blue-Collar Beast
Dalton Nixon (Orem, Utah/Orem)
2014, SF, 6-7, 220
Status: Committed to BYU
Nixon is a joy to watch due to his overall approach to the game. He is a physical defender, solid rebounder and he can knock down shots. He can score inside and out due to his skill set, and he is all about winning.
Best Shooters
Braxton Huggins (Bakersfield, Calif./Mira Monte)
2014, SG, 6-2, 175
Status: Claims offers from Fresno State, Utah State, Cal State Bakersfield, Cal State Northridge, UC Irvine, Pacific and San Jose State
This was my first look at Huggins and I came away thoroughly impressed. He has an ideal Division I frame with long arms, and he was easily one of the smoothest shooters at the Pangos Sweet 16. He can nail jump shots off the catch and made a few plays going left off the dribble that exhibited his skill level.
Robbie Berwick (Atascadero, Calif./Atascadero)
2014, SG, 6-4, 180
Status: Claims offers from Cal Poly, Fresno State, Harvard and UC Santa Barbara
Berwick came out with vengeance during the first live evaluation period for college coaches. He is neither a true point guard nor a true scorer -- he is just an all-around guard. He plays with purpose in mind at both ends and had his jump shot smoking this weekend.
Breakout Performers
Ron Freeman (Gardena, Calif./Serra)
2014, SF, 6-5, 175
Status: Claims new offers from Utah State and Cal State Fullerton
The long and rangy Freeman put together a more than solid weekend at the Double Pump Summer Tip-Off. He has the physical tools to be a lockdown defender and explosive finisher in transition. His 3-point shot needs to improve, but his mid-range pull-up jumper is now a weapon.
Trey Ingram (Phoenix/Pinnacle)
2014, PG, 6-0, 150
Ingram may be the most undervalued point guard prospect in the West. The feisty guard is a prolific 3-point shooter and handles his point guard duties with aplomb. He advances the ball well in transition and always appears to make the right basketball play. Has the ability and upside to attract a low-to-mid Division I program at least.
Eugenio Luzcando (Pleasant Grove, Utah/Wasatch Academy)
2014, PG, 6-3, 175
Luzcando is a dynamo with the ball in his hands. He has ideal quickness and speed, and his handle is tight and low to the ground. He gets into the teeth of the defense and makes numerous plays for his teammates.
So-Cal Notes
Earl Watson Pangos Elite also received an outstanding tournament performance from 6-3 senior D.J. Ursery (Encino, Calif./Crespi). The slick lefty handed out some nice assists and dropped in a number of jump shots from deep.
Jordan Alexander (San Diego/Hoover), a 6-4 junior, is a physical specimen with good length, solid ball skills and a much-improved jump shot.
The Las Vegas Prospects 15s squad has a bevy of young talent led by 6-4 freshman point guard Troy Brown (Las Vegas/Centennial), 6-6 sophomore Tyler Bey (Las Vegas/Las Vegas) and 6-4 sharpshooting sophomore Jake Desjardins (Las Vegas/Coronado).
Utah Pump-n-Run also received fine performances from 6-4 junior Jake Lindsey (Sandy, Utah/Olympus) and 6-8 Tyler Rawson (American Fork, Utah/American Fork). Lindsey has great ball skills and Rawson possesses good hands and fundamentals while operating in the paint.
Las Vegas Prospects 17s had two of the better shooters in BYU-bound senior T.J. Haws (Highland, Utah/Lone Peak) and 6-5 senior Justin Burks (Las Vegas/Arbor View).
The Nevada Wolverines have a sleeper point guard in 6-0 senior Deshawn Pughsley (Reno, Nev./Wooster). The ultra-quick point guard handles the ball with either hand equally well and has impressive vision.