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SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Double Pump Discovery Shootout: Some New
Discoveries, Some Old Ones Too--(Sept. 22, 1998)

Here's some random notes on the Pump Discovery Shootout which took place this last weekend. Given the format (no foul shooting, except that during the first few games on court 4, there was some foul shooting going on, but only in the last 8 minutes of each half, no foul outs, running clock) things went really fast, and you had to take a deep breath and focus in order to keep up with all the action, with four games on four courts going on simultaneously from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Saturday and then again on Sunday until 8:00 p.m. This really was not so much a "team" event as much as it was a player showcase event, and even though there was lots of good team defense and team offense by some of the better known clubs like Rockfish, Pump-N-Run, and the high school teams playing in disguise, there was plenty of opportunity to see individuals shine. Not only the usual suspects played, i.e., the well-known and well-established prep stars, but there were also quite a few new discovery-type players as well, including some names we've known who showed us some new stuff.

The usual suspects:

Shantay Legans (5'-10" Sr PG) from Goleta Dos Pueblos: Has already committed to Cal, and showed why he's a high D-I major point guard. He and Russell Lakey (5'-11" Jr. PG) from Harvard-Westlake ran the show, with Russell often switching off at the 2 spot. Shantay is a pure "pass-first" point who realizes that there are actually 5 players on the floor who can score, and he's not unwilling or afraid to take it to the rack himself. Played very well, despite being banged up last week at the EBO Sweet 16, and showed why Cal will be a major threat next year and for a few more years after that.

Rafael Berumen (6'-9 Sr. F/C) from Simi Valley: Looked a bit tired and stiff from the wars in Fresno, but still managed to dominate a couple of games. Looks like he's gotten a bit heavier and is still not completely comfortable with his achilles injury, he is still one of the best big men on the west coast, and he's still not counting out Cal, but it looks like New Mexico is the place for him.

Kyle Dodd (6'-0" Sr PG) from Brea-Olinda: We saw Kyle as he was guarded pretty well by two freshmen (more on them below) and he displayed his usual array of quick first steps, drives to the basket and even a couple of dunks. We also chatted with him and his dad briefly following Kyle's first game against the Valley Slam team, and Kyle told us that he's getting some looks from schools like UC Davis and USD, but we're just astonished that a point like Shantay who is admiittedly one of the best, can get high D-I scrambling all over him and Kyle who is a pretty comparable player with a great handle, quickness and great speed, basically goes unnoticed. Deserves much more attention than he's been getting.

Aaron Abrams (6'-4" Sr. SG) from Rancho Buena Vista: Only played two games with Pump-N-Run teammates this weekend, and only played on Saturday because he had a home visit scheduled on Sunday. Aaron was one of the best, but most depressed players as he saw his opportunity to go to Cal, Stanford and some other Pac-10's disappear as others committed ahead of him. But his spirits are up right now because he's looking at Washington, Washington State and Arizona State, and could start for any of them. Major D-I talent, played very well on Saturday, with a nice j, ran the floor exceptionally well, and played his usual tenacious d. Somone will regret not signing him and the one that gets him will be lucky for the next four years.

Brian Wethers (6'-4" Sr SG) from Murrieta Valley: Brian and his Rockfish buddies were dominating on Saturday, and then again on Sunday they just hammered Camp Exposure. Has already commmitted to Cal, and showed why he's one of the best shooting guards on the west coast. Had about 20 points on Sunday in the first game we saw, and played some great d too.

Brandon Owens (5'-9" Sr. PG) from Pacific Hills: Has one of the quickest dribbles and crossovers, and virtually broke a couple of defender's ankles with his speed and quickness. Played for Pump-N-Run II this weekend, and he would be our nomination for one of the best points in the senior class this year. Again, his only concern at the point in college would be his size, and while he's getting some looks from some schools, he is basically under-recruited right now, and we'd certainly think that he could help a mid to high D-I program somewhere. Dunks, passes, runs the court and pushes the break. In fact there's really nothing he didn't display that you'd expect to find in a top prospect point. One of our favorite players.

Casey Jacobsen (6'-6" Sr SG) from Glendora: Casey played very well, often sharing the two spot with Pump-N-Run I teammate Mike Dunleavy, and sometimes sharing the floor as they both played together. Casey still managed to hit a lot of shots, whether coming off the screen which Kent Dennis and Branduin Fullove set for him, or out in the open court.

Aerick Sanders (6'-8" Jr. F/C) from Serra: Some people thought Mike Miller was nuts for hyping this kid last year, but Aerick showed Saturday and Sunday why some also think Mike's a genius. Aerick is getting stronger, putting on some muscle, and really dominated at the post several times, scoring with ease, and displaying great shot-blocking ability. He's only a junior and will get stronger during the year and will be a high major prospect by the end of next summer.

Travon Bryant (6'-7" Jr. F) from Long Beach Poly: A physically dominating player, rebounded well, but didn't score a lot in his one-on-one matchup Derek Dawes (6'-10" Jr. C) from Salt Lake Metro, but then came storming back, and really hammered Chris Bennett (6'-10" Sr. C) on Sunday. Travon is a big, strong, quick rebounding and scoring forward, with good agility and nice fundamental skills.

Cameron Carr (6'-8" Sr. F) from West Linn (Portland, Oregon): Cameron was looking good, shooting, scoring, defending well, and he had several huge, thunderous dunks on Saturday. Cameron should be a high-major, and he's now playing with the killer instinct that some said he needed to acquire. His recruiting picture is a bit unclear, but look for the two Washingtons to stay involved; not sure if Stanford is still in the picture, but if they are, maybe they'll still get he and Pump teammate Mike Dunleavy. Wow, with Jacobsen, Dunleavy and Carr, and with the Collins twins, we predict Stanford will win the NCAA two years in a row at least. One of the best wing forwards on the west coast.

Some new faces (and some old "new" ones):

Brennan Martin (6'-6" Jr. SG) from Trabuco Hills: Like last weekend at the dada Fall Hoops Classic, Brennan again shot the lights out for the IEBP All-Stars on Saturday and Sunday, and there really wasn't a better long range shooter present at the whole event. He's got a great handle, a fine shot and soft touch, and will be a big time prospect this next year. And best of all, he's got a brother who can play too but who didn't because of an injury.

Brandon Hulst (6'-4" Sr. SG) from Hughson: We didn't see Brandon all summer, as he was out with an injury, but he was playing with the IEBP Ballers & Players this weekend and he looked really good. Has a great vertical leap, a nice shot out to three point range, and we hear that Cal Poly SLO is hot on his trail, butbased on his performances this weekend, he could have a lot of other coaches knocking on the door.

David Gale (5'-10" Fr. PG) from Sherman Oaks Buckley: He played for both the Pump-N-Run II and Valley Slam teams, and he did a very credible job at the point and two spot for both teams, guarding and going against senior top prospects like Kyle Dodd (6'-0" Sr. PG) from Brea Olinda and Aras Baskauskas (6'-3" Sr. PG/SG) from Santa Monica. David showed good speed, a fine handle, and great passing, and managed to hit some shots, even driving into some pretty tall traffic and scoring several times against the IEBP Heat's Brian Pinchon (6'-2" Sr. PG) from Diamond Bar and Kevin Turner (6'-2" Sr. PG/SG) also from Diamond Bar.

Daniel Sherman (6'-8" Sr. F/C) from Ayala: A big guy, very strong, an inside player who dunked and slammed several times during the games we saw him, he can be a shot blocker, or at least will alter the shots of his opponents. Runs the floor well for a guy his size, and has pretty good foot positioning. Together with his other Ayala teammates on the IEBP Heat, showed why Ayala (along with Jack May) will be one of the better teams in Division I-AA this coming year.

Chris Bennett (6'-10" Sr. C/F) from Pasadena Marshall: Chris is a good defender, and he got his share of slam dunks as well. A very mobile big guy, impressed a lot of college coaches this weekend. One of the busiest players in the shootout, literally played in one game or another from noon until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, so he got a lot of exposure.

Jesse Boyd (6'-9" Sr. C) from Mira Costa: Surprised more than a few with some very aggressive play, blocking a ton of shots, slam-dunking, and generally dispelled the notion which was popularized this summer that he can't jump. Guess what: He can, big time, and he proved that he deserves to be a mid to high D-I prospect. Right now, UCSB and a bunch of other mid-majors are involved. Look for him to wait until spring.

Adam Drell (6'-6" Jr. F) from Chatsworth: Adam played for Valley Slam and was a consistently good rebounder and inside scorer. Tenacious, tough, and ran the floor very well, got a lot of good looks from some big-time coaches in attendance. Look for him to explode this next season and during the summer and by the end of the year, this 3.8 GPA student will become a top prospect at some west coast major D-I.

Baker Dunleavy (6'-1" So. PG/SG) from Portland Jesuit: Played for Pump-N-Run II and for Valley Slam this weekend, and proved to everyone that he's every bit as good as his brother was at his age, and perhaps even better. Baker is a smart, savvy player, who defends well, and takes it to the rack as well as shooting his trademark 17'+ shot. Better as a shooting guard, Baker will be a top prospect in a couple of years with some maturation.

Errick Craven (6'-2" So. SG) from Bishop Montgomery: Played for the Pump-N-Run II team, and together with brother Derrick Craven (6'-2" So. G) showed a lot of stuff, shooting well, defending, and demonstrating great passing ability. Errick is probably the more prolific shooter of the two, but both can lead a break and push the ball very well. Rising stars.

Joseph Dural (6'-7" Sr. F) from Venice: Played for Pump-N-Run II, Valley Slam and several other teams. A very powerful big man in the paint, he was playing hurt on Saturday, but still managed to get at least 10 points in his first game with Valley Slam. Very strong, plays well with his back to the basket, and with teammates Montel Duhon (6'-4" Jr. SG/SF) and Glen McGowan (6'-8" Sr. SG/PF) will tear it up in 3-A division in City this year. A virtual unknown before this event, Joe transferred from Verdugo Hills, and should sign in the spring.

Craig Weinstein (5'-10" Fr. PG/SG) from Harvard-Westlake: Played for Valley Slam, and looked good, hitting three's and driving well in traffic, defending some big time players, and opening a lot of eyes with his passing skills. Craig has a solid handle and showed good decision-making and shot selection. One to watch.

We have lots more evaluations and observations, and we'll post them up shortly as this report only covers about 1/10th of the players we saw and will report on. Later.