The 30th annual Torrey Pines Holiday Prep Classic is currently going on in the Del Mar Heights area of San Diego CA and its had a very nice history of good teams and players including NBA 1st round picks Russell Westbrook, Klay Thompson, DeMar DeRozan, Kyrie Irving, Lonzo Ball, Jrue Holiday, Collin Sexton and TJ Leaf. I was able to catch some of the action on Friday December 27th. Below are a few of the top prospects I saw on display that day.
Jordan Walsh 6’7” 2022 Faith Family (Dallas TX)
Talented swingman has a very versatile scoring skill set. Walsh impressed in Faith Family’s 76-64 win over WCAC force Bishop O’Connell (Arlington VA) with 20 points. Presently ranked by Rivals.com as the #41 best prospect in 2022, Walsh has offers from the likes of Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Texas and Texas A&M.
TJ Wainwright 6’3” 2021 Westchester (Los Angeles CA)
Lefty flame-thrower has ice in his veins in clutch situations. With Westchester’s quarter-final game with Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland CA) all tied up at 47 with just seconds remaining in the 4th quarter, TJ calmly sank a very deep 3 to lift the Comets over the Dragons and into a championship semi-final match-up with Sheldon (Sacramento CA) on Saturday night. Cousin of New Orleans Saints WR Michael Thomas who just recently set the NFL’s single-season reception record with 144 catches for the 2019 season,
Joseph Hunter 6’5” 2022 San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno CA)
Multi-position perimeter player is an exceptional passer and excellent defender that plays winning basketball. Not to be out-done by his summer Belmont Shore back-court partner TJ Wainwright who nailed a 3-point buzzer-beater to spark Westchester over Bishop O’Dowd, “JoJo” had 3-point visions of his own during the same exact Friday game hour (5:25pm game time) by hitting his own 3-point bomb at the buzzer to propel SJM to a 57-55 win over Santa Fe Christian (Solana Beach CA) and into the Senators Division semi-finals on Saturday night versus Start (OH). Currently ranked #54 nationally in 2022 by 247Sports.com, Hunter has early offers from Fresno State and UTEP.
Osasere Ighodaro 6’9” 2020 Desert Vista (Phoenix AZ)
Marquette signee is a skilled forward with length and excellent long-term pro potential. Currently slotted in the #88 spot in 2020 by Nothing But Net Magazine’s Van Coleman.
John Solomon 6’8” 2021 Desert Vista (Phoenix AZ)
Got my first look at Solomon (the step-son of MLB star Bobby Bonilla) and I was definitely attracted to his mid-to-high major potential. Agile forward runs floor well, has nice scoring skills and is active on the glass. Emerging as a West Coast national sleeper come next spring.
Brandon Angel 6’8” 2020 Torrey Pines (San Diego CA)
Stanford signee has nice range on his jump shot and the sturdy frame to bang with other big bodies on the glass.
Jaden Jones 6’4” 2020 St. Anthony (Long Beach CA)
Unsigned senior wiry WG with accurate 3-point stroke is quickly becoming a hot commodity for mid-major college programs. Long Beach State is among the latest to offer.
AJ Burgin 6’3” 2021 San Diego (San Diego CA)
Strong guard with a very good looking perimeter stroke, crafty ball skills and underrated passing ability. Burgin (a very good student) had a team high 17 points in the Cavers’ 61-56 quarter-final win over Bishop Manogue (Reno NV).
Marsalis Roberson 6’4” 2021 Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland CA)
Athletic and active wing is a tenacious defender that can finish above the rim.
Sam Dudley 6’3” 2020 Santa Fe Christian (Solana Beach CA)
Son of former NBA/Yale center Chris Dudley was hurt all last summer and was unable to display his skills during the July live period. Sam is a quick combo-guard with legitimate “stop and pop” 3-point range. Good student too.
Daniel Esparza 6’2” 2021 Sonora (La Habra CA)
Savvy playmaker with shot-making ability.
Jaden Geron 6’7” 2021 San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno CA)
Multi-dimensional perimeter player with nice length and D1 upside.
Evan Oliver 6’0” 2020 Poly (Riverside CA)
On the heels of a 30 point game on Thursday, Evan continues to be a key component of a formidable 3 guard attack (along with Lamont Butler and Chance Stephens) for Bears coach Yancy Dodson. Heady floor-general with dangerous 3-point stroke.
Ky-mani Pollard 6’1” 2020 Westchester (Los Angeles CA)
Scrappy lead guard has a nice pull-up jump shot. Pollard had a team high 16 points in his team’s quarter-final win over Bishop O’Dowd/Oakland CA.
Chance Stephens 6’2” 2022 Poly (Riverside CA)
Stephens is a quick off-guard with nice propensity to connect from beyond the 3-point arc.
Hayden Gray 6’3” 2021 Santa Fe Christian (Solana Beach CA)
Sharp-shooting WG has deep range on his perimeter shot. Very good student too.
Garrison Phelps 6’4” 2022 St. Mary’s (Phoenix AZ)
Promising young WG is active on both ends of the floor.
