Where they'll be: A FTH Guide to the Summer Live Periods
As the first of three NCAA evaluation periods kicks off on Wednesday, here is a quick guide of where San Diego's top clubs and players will be over the course of the next three weeks.
San Diego All-Stars
Double Pump Summer Tipoff: Anaheim, CA - Jul 6-10 Double Pump Best of the Summer: Anaheim- CA Jul 13-17 Adidas Uprising Summer National Championships: 17u Elite and 15u Elite Las Vegas, NV - July 20-24 Eat Summer Championships: 17u Select, 15u Select- Las Vegas, NV- July 20-24
The skinny: While SDA's flagship team did not qualify for the Adidas Gauntlet Finale, playing in the Double Pump Summer Tipoff is no small consolation, as the Pumps tournaments often boast a big following of Division 1 Coaches.
Who has the most at stake: Division 1 Coaches have been on the fence about 2017 Rancho Bernardo G JJ Overton for quite some time. He's got the size (6-4) and length that college coaches covet, but his thin build and inconsistent decision making and shooting have kept them from pulling the trigger. For Overton, this month is critical for him to move off the fence and firmly into the Division 1 "lock" territory, which I think he will do.
Also with much at stake is 2017 St. Augustine G Otto Taylor, who has athleticism and shooting ability, but at 6-1 needs to continue to improve his game management and PG skill set. A few Division 1 programs have their eyes on him, and a strong July could turn that interest into solid offers.
Gamepoint
Adidas Gauntlet Finale: 17u Elite and 16u Elite, Spartanburg, SC- July 6-9
Adidas Summer Invitational: 15u Elite, Indianapolis, IN- July 6-9
West Coast Elite Summer Kickoff: 15u Select, 16u Select, 17u Select, Pomona CA- July 6-8
West Coast Elite Summer Classic: Irvine, CA- July 13-15
Adidas Uprising Summer Championships: 17u Elite, 16u Elite, 15u Elite, Las Vegas, NV- July 20-24
Eat Summer Championships: 17u Select, 16u Select, 15u Select, Las Vegas, NV- July 20-24
The skinny: Gamepoint saw both of its Adidas teams qualify for the Spartanburg championship series, as the 16u Elite locked up a berth after a strong showing in April, and the 17u Elite received an at-large berth after making a surprise run to the Magic Memorial Day finals.
Who has the most at stake: 6-9 Torrey Pines C Jake Gilliam has come a long way as a prospect, especially on the defensive end, as he displayed during the Magic Memorial Day Classic in May. Coaches have been concerned about his conditioning, which has improved, but Gilliam needs to show that he can play sustained minutes and continue to make strides on both ends in order for his Division 1 interest to produce offers. Ivy League schools have show the most interest to date.
Another player on the 17u Select level who I think has a chance to make a splash is Horizon PG DJ Wilson. A smooth playmaker with elite athleticism, he's hovered below the radar a bit due to his size (6-0, 150) and streaky shooting, but there have been several Division 2 schools showing interest. He could move the needle with a strong July.
Coastal Elite
Pangos Sweet 16: Garden Grove, Cerritos CA- July 8-10
Pangos Cream of the Crop: Garden Grove, CA- July 15-16
Las Vegas Fab 48: Las Vegas, NV- July 20-24
The skinny: Coastal Elite's underrated 17u Elite team will be in the invitational division of the Sweet 16, which boasts several strong independent programs, including Wisconsin United and Higher Goals (TX).
Who has the most at stake: Michael Diaz. The 6-2 180 PG is at a crossroads. College coaches have always appreciated his physical tools and athleticism, especially on the defensive end, where he is a top-tier on-ball defender. But Diaz must show that the other areas of his game (game management, shooting) have progressed. I've always believed Diaz is a Division 1 basketball player. July is critical for him to move achieve that status.
California Bearcats Select
Double Pump Summer Tip-Off: Anaheim, CA- July 6-10
Double Pump Best of Summer: 15u, 16u White, 16u Red, Anaheim, CA- July 13-17
Basketbull Hall of Fame National Invitational: 17u, Springfield MA- July 15-17
Las Vegas Fab 48: Las Vegas, NV- July 20-24
The skinny: With a flagship team full of very good Division 3 prospects, the 17u trip to the Basketbull Hall of Fame event is a perfect chance for the players to pick up interest from a litany of East Coast high-academic schools.
Who has the most at stake: La Jolla Country Day G Josiah Esselstrom has been on a tear since April, as he's shown tremendous growth in his point guard skills to complement his confident scoring ability. Esselstrom reminds me a lot of Terrance Becvar, another undersized guard who could shoot, score and run the point, and like Becvar, I think he's being under-recruited. July will give him ample opportunities to show Division 2 schools that he can play at their level.
San Diego Cougars
Pangos/ Fullcourt Press Cream of the Crop: Garden Grove, CA- July 15-16
Bigfoot Hoops Las Vegas Class: Las Vegas, NV- July 20-24
The Skinny: The Cougars have a number of very good prospects who will be on display for two of the three live period events.
Who has the most at stake: 2017 6-1 PG Malik Parsons is one of the fastest-rising guards in San Diego's rising senior class. He's got a long frame, excellent passing vision and a very solid offensive game. He could put himself firmly in the Division 2 conversation with a strong summer, and possibly be a D1 sleeper if he fills out his frame.
Next Generation Athletes
Double Pump Summer Tip-Off: Anaheim, CA- July 6-10
Double Pump Best of Summer: Anaheim, CA- July 13-17
Las Vegas Fab 48: Las Vegas, NV- July 20-24
The Skinny: Next Generation's 17u and 15u teams have a few solid prospects who will look to make an impact in some of the lower divisions of the Pumps Tournaments and the Fab 48.
Who has the most at stake: 2017 Serra PG Quincy Ferebee had an uneven junior year, as he missed time due to academics. He's an athletic, pure point guard who looks to facilitate first and then score. He'll need to show that he can score it, especially with consistency from the perimeter, during July.
Where is everyone else playing?
San Diego Chaos- Pangos Sweet 16, Pangos Cream of the Crop, Las Vegas Fab 48.
Supreme Court- Double Pump Summer Tip-Off, Double Pump Best of Summer, Las Vegas Fab 48
Who to watch: 2017 Balboa W Jose Serrano is a big-time offensive talent on the wing.
San Diego Prospects- N/A
San Diego Sol- Double Pump Summer Tip-Off, Double Pump Best of Summer, Las Vegas Fab 48
Who to watch: 2017 guards Zach Green and Jaylin Richmond are raw, but have lots of upside.
College Bound- Double Pump Summer Tip-Off, Double Pump Best of Summer, Las Vegas Fab 48
Who to watch: 2017 6-5 W Josue Lara is a versatile wing who thrives as an on-ball defender.
Dream Athletix- Las Vegas Fab 48
Key Players:
Reed Farley, Matt Bender, Graham Cook, Myles Manning and Miles Norris are playing with Earl Watson Elite.
Taeshon Cherry is playing with Oakland Soldiers
Brandon McCoy and JeVon Figaro are playing with Cal Supreme
Jaylen Hands is playing with the Compton Magic.
Robby Robinson and Kale Baldado are playing with Cali Rebels
