After spending a week on the other side of the country last week, I spent this week driving all over Southern California between two big-time July exposure events - the Double Pump Best of Summer and the Fullcourt Press Cream of the Crop tournaments. With both events taking place at the same time, and with a large number of teams participating in both events, I had my work cut out for me covering the Arizona club programs in participation.
After spending a lot of gas and time running back and forth from gym to gym and getting very little rest, I was able to catch a glimpse of many of Arizona's prospects in both events.
The Double Pump Best of Summer tournament was a major event - played in one venue, the Anaheim Sports Complex. If you have never seen this facility, it is unreal as it has 30 full-courts within the building. With each of the courts being utilized for the event at the same time, it made for an amazing basketball atmosphere that was unmatched. I have never seen this much basketball taking place at the same time. Parking at this event was difficult to find and I had my car towed after parking in a business complex across the street. Bad idea. Led to a $265.00 penalty that I am still recovering from. Ouch! While the ticket definitely hurt, it didn't take away from the exciting basketball action in the event, as there was some serious action taking place.
Here are the top individual performers that I was able to watch from last week and the weekend's action at the Double Pump Best of Summer tournament ...
Zylan Cheatham 6-7 JR SF Westwind Prep Academy (2014)
- Cheatham had his best weekend performance to date, as he showed a skill-set that many did not know he had throughout the event. After his club teammate Jordan Howard went down with an ankle injury, it opened up the point guard position for Cheatham. Cheatham showcased his ability to handle the basketball from the point position, while making plays for others - creating off the dribble and getting to the rim almost at will. He finished very well and was big on the defensive end where his length allowed him to change and alter many shots. Played with excellent energy and rebounded outside of his area. Many college programs flocked to catch a glimpse of Cheatham this weekend, as he earned another offer for himself from Oregon State. Arizona State head coach Herb Sendek and his staff followed Cheatham in almost every game, while Cal also looks to now be in hot pursuit as well.
Connor MacDougall 6-9 JR PF/C Westwind Prep Academy (2014)
- MacDougall continues to impress at a high level and he had his best performance in last week's event, pouring in 20 points and 20 rebounds in one game in the event. MacDougall looks as a high-major post player should look physically and he has the athleticism and toughness to go with it, suggesting that he will be an elite high-major division-I target. Many college coaches were also following MacDougall during the event, with Arizona, Oregon State, Cal and Utah State each expressing serious interest in the talented young post prospect. MacDougall has officially arrived as a big-time prospect and will only get much better over the next two years of high school.
Casey Benson 6-2 JR PG Corona Del Sol HS (2014)
- Benson led his Pump N' Run-2014 (CA) squad to a runner-up finish in this year's event, and proved, once again, that he is comfortable playing the point position in any situation and with anyone on his team. Gets everyone involved and is able to get off himself as well - a nice balance. Capable of scoring and passing with either hand and makes players around him better. Benson has a large number of coaches following him around this weekend, so his recruiting stock continues to soar. An elite-high major point guard talent that just wins.
Tate de Laveaga 6-2 JR PG/SG Westwind Prep Academy (2014)
- De Laveaga had his best showing in last week's event, as he put up big scoring numbers and also showed a nice ability to handle his team from the point position in the event. While this young man has had to follow in the footsteps of a former professional player as a father, he is beginning to come into his own in a big way. His toughness and grit as a player give him an edge on the basketball court and he plays with a large amount of confidence. Came up just short of leading his team to a final-four finish in the event, but raised his stock considerably this weekend. Receiving strong interest now from Utah State, Northern Arizona and Idaho State.
Tim Kempton 6-9 SR PF/C Brophy Prep HS (2013)
- Kempton had a nice event for himself and continued his steady play. Kempton is among the most skilled post prospects in Arizona's 2013 class. While his team struggled in the event, his play was good enough to garner loads of division-I attention from many mid-major college programs. Kempton continues to reel in offers and interest, enough that he will have a nice college decision to make for himself in the near future.
Larry Lewis 6-3 Prep PG/SG Westwind Prep International (2013)
- With Lewis making his decision to attend prep school next fall, this former USC-commit had gone back to the basics after a lackluster performance in the spring. Lewis is among the best individual talents in the West when he focuses, especially after a year of prep school. He has improved his physique a great deal now as well. If he can focus on developing as a player he could play almost anywhere after prep, as a result of his scoring prowess and athleticism - if not, then he could become one of the best prospects to falter. Either way, he had a very good performance this weekend and looks to be back to his usual self. Lewis received an offer from Texas-San Antonio as a result of his play this weekend.
Sam Jones 6-6 JR SG/SF Gilbert Christian HS (2014)
- Jones shot the basketball very well in the event and helped lead his team to a runner-up finish in the event. While he switched club programs just recently, Jones looked comfortable this weekend on his new team. A bigger wing prospect that is at his best shooting the basketball with range - possessing a quick release on his shot. Still needs to bulk up physically a great deal, but is a good fundamentally sound player. Idaho State looks to be closing in on an offer to Jones.
Romano Bottini 6-2 JR SG Brophy Prep HS (2014)
- Bottini played in both events this weekend and showcased his iron-man qualities as a player - playing in as many as four games on each day of the events. Bottini did not look to be tired either, as he played tough on the defensive end and knocked down three-point shots consistently on the offensive end of the floor. Bottini turned in his best performance during this event, as he looked very comfortable on the floor and fit in nicely amongst high-major teammates. His toughness and love for the game will allow him to continue to develop a great deal over the next two years. A solid prospect for a smaller college program.
