IRVINE – The roster for the second Hoops by Ugland Skills Summit, held Saturday at Beckman High, provided a nice representation for the best in Southern California – and beyond – in the Class of 2021.
Among the already well-known – in “media” and college recruiters’ circles – from the class making strong showing Saturdays were (listed alphabetically): A.J. Burgin (San Diego/pictured), David Elliott (Birmingham), Daniel Esparza (Sonora), Brenton Knapper (Colony), Josh O’Garro (Santa Clarita Christian), Malik Thomas (Damien) and Peyton Watson (Long Beach Poly).
And some of the other members of the class who showed why they’re destined for terrific junior seasons were point guards (also alpha listing): Jake Blazona (Santa Margarita) and Donovan Watkins (Corona Centennial).
Elliott, Esperanza, O’Garro, Thomas and Watson – along with Fairfax guard Keith Dinwiddie, from the Class of 2020 – are multi-talented scorers who were difficult matchups for any and all defenders who tried to check them Saturday afternoon.
Blazona and Watkins joined Burgin and Knapper in demonstrating the litany of skills that put them among the upper-tier of college point guard prospects in the region.
Among those joining Dinwiddie among the top-flight 2020 players were Te-Hina Paopao (La Jolla Country Day), a University of Oregon-bound point guard and one of the top female players in the West; and (alpha listing) Davian Brown (Pasadena), Miles Ceballos (Crossroads), Kyree Dunn (Burbank in Sacramento), Justin Gladney (Fairfax), Matt Lee (Village Christian), Kaleb Lowery (Santa Clarita Christian), Brandon Porter (Eastvale Roosevelt) Isaiah Skinner (Xavier Prep) and Kristopher Sweet (Gardena Serra).
Devin Arlington (San Marcos in San Diego), Jeremy Dent-Smith (Gardena Serra), Mason Hudnal (Moreau Catholic in Hayward), Nate Medina (Valley Christian), Tajavis Miller (Servite) and Christian Watson (L.B. Poly) were some of the “best of the best” from the Class of 2022.
And one of the overall standouts of the camp – regardless of class – is 5-11 Kylan Boswell, a recent move-in from Chicago who is a member of the Class of 2023.
His handling, passing and jump shooting skills – as well as his poise – were well beyond his 14 years. He’s going to team with Brenton Knapper to again give Coach Jerry DeFabiis’ Colony team one of the Southland’s best backcourts.
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