Double Pump May Tournament recap
By Joel Francisco
ESPN Recruiting
Originally Published: May 16, 2011
CARSON, Calif. -- Due to a suffocating defense and the sharp shooting of junior Jacob Hazzard (Los Angeles, Calif./Loyola), California Supreme was dominant throughout the Double Pump May Tournament. California Supreme claimed the U-17 Double Pump championship over a feisty Organized Chaos squad, 75-65.
Standout players
Christian Wood is a sinewy wing-type who is a cross between Austin Daye and Tracy McGrady. Photo Courtesy Joel FranciscoChristian Wood (Palmdale, Calif./William J. 'Pete' Knight)
2013, PF, 6-foot-8, 180 pounds
College: Undecided
Wood had an outstanding weekend and projects as one of the elite prospects in his class. He has an effortless 3-point shot and his release is smooth. His hands are outstanding and showed he's a deceptive leaper around the cup with a number of impressive tip-jams. He needs to add to his offensive arsenal and become much more aggressive (defense and rebounding) at both ends, but the upside and talent are evident. It's early, but USC leads -- although he would like to visit Syracuse, Kentucky, Texas and Washington.
Grant Verhoeven (Visalia, Calif./Central Valley Christian)
2012, PF, 6-8, 215 pounds
College: Undecided
Verhoeven battles at both ends with a never-ending motor. His strong frame, good feet and bounce are evident as he had a plethora of put-backs and blocked shots throughout the weekend. He is terrific in transition and can get to the rim with ease due to his effort and savvy. His post skills and foot work need polishing, but with his overall approach to the game, it's no surprise that Stanford and Cal-Berkeley are battling for his services, among others.
Matt Shrigley (Encinitas, Calif./La Costa Canyon)
2012, SG, 6-5, 185 pounds
College: Undecided
Shrigley played with purpose and toughness and it was especially exemplified in the way he attacked off the dribble. His shooting touch is quite good out to the stripe, but this weekend he didn't settle and he finished in traffic with more consistency. His frame needs more strength, but he is deceptively bouncy as he had a couple of dunks that were highly impressive in traffic. For his game to go to another level, he needs to continue to improve his triple-threat game and get steadier with the ball, while being pressured. Shrigley's top four are Boston College, Colorado, San Diego State and Oregon.
Isaac Hamilton (Los Angeles, Calif./Crenshaw) 2013, SG, 6-4, 170 pounds
College: Undecided
Hamilton impacts the game in multiple ways and his skill set was firing on all cylinders against Cal Supreme. His jump shot is streaky and he needs to get stronger, but his approach to the game and savvy are impressive. He can be a very tough matchup when his shot is falling and his passing is high-level. Whether it's slashing to the rim, hitting a 3 or dropping off a nifty pass, his overall game has a lot of potential.
Surprise players
Chance Murray (Los Angeles, Calif./Price)
2013, PG/SG, 6-3, 180 pounds
College: Undecided
Murray is becoming one of the bigger enigmas out west. He has all the tools to be a high-major prospect who can swing between both guard positions, however, his effort level fluctuates and he doesn't impact the game as much as he should, considering the skill and physical gifts he possesses. He has a smooth shot out to the stripe and he can finish with either hand, while getting to the basket. On the other hand, he has gotten thicker and has lost some quickness and he may be more of a 2 than a 1 when it's all said and done. Nevertheless, his competitive nature at both ends needs an overhaul if he wants to reach his potential.
Jacob Hazzard (Los Angeles, Calif./Loyola)
2012, PG/SG, 5-11, 150 pounds
College: Undecided
Hazzard, who is the grandson of former UCLA standout Walt Hazzard, has improved his stock immensely over the past couple of weeks. He is the owner of one of the quickest jump shots around and is especially effective off the catch. He has ideal speed and quickness, but he is more of a scorer than facilitator at this stage. At his size it would be beneficial for him to learn the nuances of being a point guard, but he is definitely one of the better shooters out west.
Keywhon Powns (Los Angeles, Calif./Westchester)
2012, SG, 6-2, 180 pounds
College: Undecided
Powns has definitely improved since the regular season. He is more of a scorer at this stage, but he can also play the point at times, if needed. He is a physical specimen who has the potential to be a defensive stopper. Due to his strength and high-level athleticism he has the ability to affect the game in many ways. He is explosive in transition and his jump shot has improved considerably. He is definitely one of the better prospects if he continues to hone his skills (shooting) and feel (decision making and passing) for the game.
Maleke Haynes (Woodland Hills, Calif./El Camino Real)
2014, PG, 5-9, 150 pounds
College: Undecided
Haynes is one of the more promising young point guards out west. His brother (Calvin Haynes) just finished his career at Oregon State, and Maleke sure looks the part of a future Division I point guard. He has a great burst in transition and he advances the ball well to open teammates instead of over handling it. He can get in the seams of the defense to deliver an assist (great vision) or score. However, he needs to learn how to come to a jump stop more often when the lane closes and changing speeds will make him more difficult to guard.
Notes
Ikenna Iroegbu, one of the top sophomore point guard prospects out west, will be transferring to Oak Hill Academy next season. He visited the school three weeks ago the 6-foot-1 Iroegbu has all the physical intangibles and savvy. He just needs some polishing and experience.
One of the more promising prospects on Team Jennings Red, sophomore Anthony Swan (Sherman Oaks, Calif./Notre Dame), is transferring to Virginia Episcopal School next season and is planning on reclassifying to the Class of 2014. His frame is outstanding and he has a smooth touch from the stripe, however, he needs to play much harder and tougher at both ends to reach his potential.
Skylar Spencer (Los Angeles, Calif./Price), a 6-8 junior, played well and with purpose this weekend. His offensive game is still raw, but he is one of the elite shot blockers and rebounders in the class.
Alex Fertig (Fresno, Calif./Buchanan), a 6-3 shooting guard, teamed up with Verhoeven to form a formidable 1-2 punch in leading their team to the championship. Fertig had his 3-point stroke flowing and his savvy and fundamentals are terrific.
Victor Robbins, a 6-6 junior out of Compton, Calif., has all the physical tools as well as a smooth stroke to be quite good at the next level. However, far too often he gets careless with his decision making and ball handling -- eventually leading to costly turnovers. If he tightens up his handle and learns to play with more urgency, the upside is there.
Steven Jones (Woodland Hills, Calif./Taft), a 5-11 junior, is an intriguing point guard prospect. He has a chiseled physique and a tremendous burst. His decision making is getting better, but his jump shot needs to get much more fluid for the next level.
One of the better looking sleepers in California is 6-2 junior William Stallworth (Tulare, Calif./Tulare Union). He has a rangy frame, can shoot it from deep, and is quite explosive as well. However, he needs to slow down, get stronger with his left hand, and get on balance (jump stop would be a start) because he can be turnover prone.
Joel Francisco is a recruiting coordinator for ESPN Recruiting.
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