rockfish week four

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SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Some Random Rockfish Notes:
Week Four & Counting Down--(March 22, 1999)

Unbelievably, Rockfish Spring League is almost over. This past weekend was week four, and next weekend there will be no games (March 27 & 28). But the last two weekends, April 3 and April 10-11, promise to be the most heavily attended weekends of the RSL. Last year over 60 Division I coaches attended the final weekend, so come early and plan to stay a while, because there will be some great action. And for the final weekend, there will also be yet another competing event which will have college coaches racing back and forth across town, as the Double Pump Easter Classic event takes place on April 9-11 at Cal State Dominguez Hills, and by now the route from the 101 south, to the 110 south to the 91 east and off at Avalon to CSUDH from LACC and back again should be a familiar one. . . gee, things were a lot simpler last year when it was just back and forth between Verbum Dei and Dominguez.

This past weekend saw a ton of great action at Rockfish (we'll get to the Pump Shootout separately, even though there were lots of players who played both events). Here are some random notes on what we saw:

Julian Sensley (6'-8" Jr. PF) from Kalahea HS in Kailua, Hawaii-- We saw Julian play in about four different games this weekend, and we understand that on Saturday he played in at least four additional games. This guy is the real deal, no question about it. Big, strong, D-I body already. By Sunday, he was a bit jet-lagged, but starting to show signs of real competitiveness that was lacking a bit in the first few games he participated in. Julian is truly a stud, a three-time All-State Hawaii player, and he reminds us a little bit of a younger version of Carlos Boozer, although we saw a young player at the Pump Shootout who even Michael Miller agreed looked even more remarkably like Boozer a few years back. But back to Sensley: Julian is agile, extremely strong, gets inside and jams, and can jump out of the gym when he decides to, which was quite a bit on Sunday, not so much on Saturday. On Saturday, he was pretty much pushed around by Ryan Sims (6'-9" Sr. PF/C) from Crenshaw who scored about 30 points and just dominated the younger Hawaiian. But Sunday, Julian had shaken off the jet-lag and the cob-webs, and he really turned it on while playing with the Hammerheads and then with the Marlins team which also featured Shantay Legans, Cal-signee, Eric Seiss (6'-3" Jr. SG) from Redlands HS, David Gale (5'-11" Fr. PG) from Buckley, Alex Jenkins (6'-6" Sr. SF) from Dos Pueblos, Stephen Graybill (6'-0" Fr. SG) from Dos Pueblos, and Greg Jefferson (6'-5" Sr. SF/PF) in a game against Guy Margo's Tiger Sharks featuring Westchester High shooting guard David Popoola (6'-3" Jr. SG), Jesse Foster (6'-7" Jr. SF) and Hassan Bassiri (6'-0" Jr. PG) both from Campbell Hall, Leland Dodd (6'-3" So. SG) and Garrett Lee (6'-4" Sr. SG/SF) both from Bishop Montgomery, and Josh Dunaj (5'-11" So. PG) from Riverside Poly.

Sensley and Legans had a bit of fun, as Shantay lobbed some nice alley-oop passes for Julian, who truly dominated the boards. We understand from Dave Benezra that Julian is in LA for an extended visit and will be playing in RSL games for as long as the league continues (two more weekends only). On Saturday, there were a ton of college coaches in the house, and they were there mostly to see Julian, who came very highly recommended and who we also understand will be traveling with Rockfish for most of the spring and summer. If you didn't get a chance to see him this weekend, check him out, because he's worth a look.

Josh Dunaj (5'-11" So. PG) from Riverside Poly continues to impress us, and we think that he could be a mid D-I by the time he's a senior if he keeps working and continues to get the exposure and playing time he needs. He had some very nice passes and runs the floor with confidence, and had a couple of very nice drives to the basket.

David Popoola (6'-4" Jr. SG) was rebounding like a madman on Sunday afternoon, and he drives and finishes better than most seniors, has an excellent jumper out to about 17' and can hit the three. Nice crossover move, and plays good defense. Had a couple of spectacular takes on Alex Jenkins which helped the Tiger Sharks beat the Marlins by two at the buzzer in a see-saw game, one of the best of the weekend.

Hassan Bassiri (6'-0" Jr. PG) from Campbell Hall is a lighting quick point, who occasionally lets his speed get the better of him; he's a good passer with excellent court vision, a quick first step and a good outside shot. Hassan had some difficulty being double-teamed by Legans and Gale and/or Legans and Graybill and/or Legans and Legans (just kidding, although at times it looked like there was more than one Shantay at a time on the floor). In our view Hassan could be a mid to low D-I player but will need to improve his passing selection. Of course at the high school level, he's one of the best, and Campbell Hall, which we hear is getting in some good players by way of transfer, should be good for next season even though Josh Levy will be graduating. Hassan has a similar game to that of Kyle Dodd, who just verballed to ASU, (but seemingly without the big dunking ability that Kyle has), so who knows, anything is possible in the recruiting game.

And as long as we're on the subject of point guards, if Jacoby Atako (6'-1" Jr. PG) from Santa Monica were an IPO, his price would be through the roof right now, and climbing. We really like this kid. Fluid, smart, jumps well, great handle, makes good decisions, and plays good to great defense. Could be the complete package. Apparently he played the two spot on his high school team this year, while Aras Baskauskas (6'-2' Sr. PG/SG) got to handle the point which is sort of weird since Aras (who played at the Pump Shootout again this weekend, and who has been given a "deferred acceptance" at Yale (i.e., he's been wait-listed and hence his recruiting is open) is really a natural two guard whereas Jacoby is a natural point, as quick as Marlon Parmer but with both a left and a right (no offense intended to Marlon, because anyone who can continually throw down 30+ points a game with only a left handed drive to the basket doesn't need a right). By the end of the summer we predict Jacoby will be committed somewhere to at least a mid-major program. And if he isn't. . . well, it would be a complete shame because he's reallllllly good.

More point guard stuff about younger guys: David Gale (5'-11" Fr. PG) from Buckley and Will Sheslow (5'-11" Fr. PG) from Montclair Prep both played for their respective teams (Marlins and Hammerheads) this weekend and on Saturday they also teamed up over at Dominguez. On Sunday, Gale had an excellent game for the Marlins, playing with Legans; the young freshman is steadily improving, pushing the ball very well on the break, improving his handle, widening out his base, showing nice spin moves, driving to the hole and showing good ball knowledge and a fluid feel for the game. Gale was also a regular on the roster of the Pump N Run II team (along with the Craven twins, Jonathan Harper from Long Beach Poly, and others . . . but more about that later). He and Sheslow got a run in on Saturday in the first game with P&R II against Mike Livacarri's Inflight team, and after impressing the RSL crowd on Saturday, Sheslow impressed a few college coaches at Dominguez too. At RSL Sheslow teamed with Atako, school teammate Josaiah Johnson (6'-6" Jr. SG) from Montclair Prep, Anthony Davis (6'-5" So. SG/SF) from Locke High, and Julian Sensley on Saturday. Sheslow has really stepped up his defensive intensity and with his quick feet, good handle and instinctive shooting ability is maturing very nicely. Both Gale and Sheslow also spent Sunday morning prior to Rockfish over at Montclair Prep trying out for the LA Maccabi as a warmup for the Sunday run at LACC.

And speaking of Anthony Davis (6'-5" So. SG/SF) from Locke, we really wonder how long he'll be there, and there are rumors that he might transfer, just as there are rumors about Joshiah Johnson transferring yet again (he was at Crenshaw before Montclair). Davis is one of the most promising sophs we've seen. Big, well developed body, strong, agile, very powerful moves to the basket, dunks at will, and best of all, he's only 15. We had a talk with Anthony after his game on Sunday, and he's a very nice young man with a real desire to play the game. Big time potential.

Russell Lakey (5'-11" Jr. PG) continues to improve and get his point guard skills back from the psuedo-Westhead Loyola-Marymount style offense which his team ran this season. Russell is one of the quickest defenders we've seen, with very fast feet and quick hands. His signature move is to try to defend a player from the front, but when he gets behind his man he can literally run a circle around the player and knock the ball away from behind. Russell also is one of the best three-point shooters and he could be a top combo guard, notwithstanding his size. Great handle, and smart.

Dustin Villepigue (6'-9" So. PF/C) continues to impress us. Dustin grew about 6 inches last year and is still adjusting to his new-found size. But for those who saw him during the early season, or even as late in the season as the Double Pump MLK weekend Hoops Challenge, this young man has come miles since then. He's got excellent footwork, can bang with all but the biggest guys and is a tremendous rebounder. Unlike some other guys his size who still think they are guards, Dustin has excellent posting ability and shows tremendous promise. Another possible Maccabi competitor as well in the tradition of David Bluthenthal (6'-8" Fr. PF) formerly of Westchester and now at USC who helped LA's Maccabi team win a Gold Medal in New Jersey in '96. Dustin was also listed on the Pump N Run II roster, but has elected to play with one of RSL's traveling teams, and will possibly attend the Spiece Run N Slam Classic at Purdue and then the EBO Spring Classic (along with a ton of other adidas-sponsored teams, including Pump N Run) over Memorial Day weekend. Anyway, this was about Dustin, and he's really an impressive player who should be on most college coaches' wish-lists for the next few years.

Greg Jefferson (6'-5" Sr. SF/PF) from Redemption Prep, and formerly of Fairfax High, continues to impress a lot of college coaches. He's got all the skills to play at the D-I level, the only question for him will be where. He's reportedly got the grades but he wants to play at the Pac-10 level. Several recruiting "gurus" have already counselled him not to set his sights so high, but Greg is pretty determined, and we'll just have to see where things shake out. He's interested in Oregon, Cal, Arizona, ASU, and will be going back to Philly shortly to play with (we think) the Sam Rines team and to take a visit to Temple. A big, strong guy, who looks impressive on and off the court, a sort of quiet assassin who needs to keep up continual intensity. All the tools and desire, but whether he gets the looks will be the determining factor.

Avery Queen (5'-7" Jr. PG) from Maine Central Institutute, who was reportedly going to be playing at Rockfish, got lost somewhere along the way. . . or he got a lot shorter, because we sure couldn't find him over at LACC. Avery was a no-show for Elvert Perry's Inland team. Too bad because this young man is truly an astonishing ball player.

Nick Booker (6'-6" Jr. SG/SF) from Bishops in La Jolla, put together a couple of good performances on Sunday, one game where he played with Sensley with Glen McGowan (6'-7" Sr. PF) from Venice High (who is getting some looks by Mid D-I's but if he doesn't qualify, look for him to go to a JC for a couple years. . . maybe even LACC). Booker rebounded well, shot well, drove to the hole, but for some reason, a lot of the guys on his team weren't passing him the ball. Oh well, from what we saw, Nick will make some college program very happy, and we also understand that if there were still such a thing as a "full-qualifier" (there really isn't now that the NCAA rules have been declared invalid) he'd be one. Very smart, savvy player.

We didn't get to see any of the "outside" teams at RSL this weekend (with the exception of Perry's Inland-Avery-less team) because most of the other groups (Pump, BWBA, etc) were at the Pump Shootout, or we were down in Dominguez when they were playing up at LACC. Oh well, there's still more action to come, and we'll have the schedules for the remaining two weeks of RSL up shortly.