Fullcourt Press Southern California Pre-Summer Class of 2009 Rankings: Part II - Combo-Forwards (June 30, 2008) This is the 2nd of a five part series of 2009 rankings that will be released over the next week.  Unlike some other media sources that don’t fully understand that the college and pro game positions are inherently different for many reasons too detailed to discuss here, the Fullcourt Press has always broken down its rankings into 5 different position areas: (a) Centers/Post-Forwards, (b) Combo-Forwards, (c) Wing Forwards/Off-Guards, (d) Combo-Guards and (e) Point Guards.  These position categories reflect how multidimensional the college game has become and how much the concept of “versatility” is valued by college coaches.  These rankings reflect both current player talent level/skills as well as their “upside” or potential.  We have ranked the best of the bunch from 1-10 with others deserving consideration listed further below.  For purposes of these rankings: “Southern California” is the area bordering the Fresno area to the north and the Mexican Border to the south. We will update these 2009 rankings in late August/early September – after we get a chance to digest how much all of these players either improve or digress over the July recruiting period. Listed below are the top Combo-Forwards in Southern California’s Class of 2009.  Top-to-bottom, this is arguably the best and deepest pool of the five 2009 position categories.   All of the Top 10 here are or have potential to be high-major players.                               2009 Combo-Forwards

1.         Solomon Hill                        6’6”     Fairfax (Los Angeles CA) Terrific all-around forward has a very complete game and can do substantial damage both inside the paint as well as out on the perimeter.  Solomon is a rather deceptive athlete and lethal perimeter shooter as well as having good enough ballhandling ability to play as a “point-forward.”  Hill’s consistent effort and production gives him a slight edge here as the current #1 guy at this position category.  Scheduled to attend the LeBron James US Skills Academy (July 5-9 @ Akron OH) and travel with California Supreme to the Nike Peach Jam (July 12-15 @ North Augusta SC), Main Event (July 22-26 @ Las Vegas NV) and Fullcourt Press End of the Trail Classic (July 28-30 @ Cabrillo HS/Long Beach CA).

2.         Victor Rudd                         6’8”     Van Nuys (Van Nuys CA) Rudd has perhaps the highest “ceiling” of anybody in this group.  Athletic slashing scorer out of the Shawn Marion-mold, Victor has underrated ball skills but must bring it every night and every play to reach his immense potential.  Victor’s impressive play at the Pangos All-American Camp earlier this month turned quite a few heads of the national scouts that were present.  Rudd will attend the Reebok All-American Camp (July 7-10 @ Philadelphia PA) and Fullcourt Press All-West Camp (July 11-13 @ The Hangar/Hawthorne CA) as well as lead 2D1 Basketball Academy as they compete at the Fullcourt Press Cream of the Crop Challenge (July 14-15 @ The Hangar/Hawthorne CA),

adidas Super 64 (July 22-26 @ Las Vegas NV) and Fullcourt Press End of the Trail Classic (July 28-30 @ Cabrillo HS/Long Beach CA). 3.         Derrick Williams                  6’7”     La Mirada (La Mirada CA) Very versatile forward has a nice blend of inside-outside skills.  With range extending to 20 feet as well as excellent ability to beat other forwards off the dribble, Williams is a legitimate offensive threat who reminds me of former Cal star Sean Lampley.  Derrick was stellar at the recent Pangos All-American Camp.  Scheduled to travel with Team Odom LA to the Nike Peach Jam (July 12-15 @ North Augusta SC).

4.         Thurman Woods                6’5”     Dominguez (Compton CA) Fast rising prospect is making the transition from a HS post to a multidimensional forward that also has the ability to play out on the perimeter.  Lefty is an explosive athlete and an underrated 3-point shooter.  Woods (a good student - 3.2 GPA) will showcase his talents this summer at the Fullcourt Press All-West Camp (July 11-13 @ The Hangar/Hawthorne CA), Fullcourt Press Cream of the Crop Challenge (The Hangar/Hawthorne CA), Rbk Summer Championships (July 22-26 @ Las Vegas NV) and Fullcourt Press End of the Trail Classic (Cabrillo HS/Long Beach CA).   5.         Andy Brown                                    6’8”     Mater Dei (Santa Ana CA) Skilled forward is a very good shooter as well as a better-than-advertised athlete.  Great nose for the ball makes him an effective offensive rebounder.  Very good student has been hearing from a long list of schools that include Michigan, Northwestern, Stanford and Arizona.

6.         Alec Williams                       6’6”     J Serra (San Juan Capistrano CA) Well-built scoring combo-forward has impressive confidence in his perimeter stroke.  Very underrated vertical athlete will flush it on you if you give him a step.  Great kid committed to San Diego State earlier this month.  Alec will attend the Fullcourt Press All-West Camp (July 11-13 @ The Hangar/Hawthorne CA) as well as compete with Belmont Shore at the Fullcourt Press Cream of the Crop Challenge (July 14-15 @ The Hangar/Hawthorne CA), Rbk Summer Championships (July 22-26 @ Las Vegas NV) and Fullcourt Press End of the Trail Classic (July 28-30 @ Cabrillo HS/Long Beach CA).

7.         Khawil Leonard                  6’6”     King (Riverside CA) Strong forward has very good range on his jump shot (shot the ball very well at the Nike Paul Pierce Skills Camp earlier this month).  Leonard must improve his lateral quickness in order to become a better perimeter defender as well as a legitimate offensive scorer off the dribble.  One to keep an eye on this July.   8.         Tyler Honeycutt                  6’8”     Sylmar (Sylmar CA) While Tyler has substantial upside, I am not as high on him as some other West Coast scouts who have already anointed him as the “next big thing.”  Several high-major concerns remain.  Will he be strong enough inside to battle for position and rebounds at the elite college level?  Is he skilled enough to put the ball on the floor to create his own shot against quality defenders?   Does he have the toughness and leadership skills to carry a team to victories against quality opponents and win championships?  Time will tell.   9.         D’Angelo Scott                    6’7”     Lynwood (Lynwood CA) Skilled forward can put the ball on the floor very well for his size and has improved athleticism.  “Spaghetti” will attend the Fullcourt Press All-West Camp (July 11-13 @ The Hangar/Hawthorne CA).

10.       Devonte Elliott                    6’9”     Paramount (Paramount CA) Elliott is thin but has excellent upside due to his long length and nice perimeter scoring touch.  One of the West’s top “long-term” sleepers, Devonte should contend for Cream of the Crop Game honors at the Fullcourt Press All-West Camp (July 11-13 @ The Hangar/Hawthorne CA). Other 2009 Combo-Forwards To Follow   *           Noah Aguirre                       6’5”     Filmore (Filmore CA) Hardworking defender can finish inside.

*           Desean Anderson              6’7”     Inglewood (Inglewood CA) Scrawny but crafty scorer can really put points on the board.   *           James Boyd                                    6’5”     Jordan (Los Angeles CA) Athletic defender is also an excellent football prospect.   *           Terran Carter                       6’5”     Taft (Woodland Hills CA) Undersized but effective competitor just missed making the Top 10.   Doesn’t have the long term upside of guys at the top of this list (due to his lack of size) but he is a bona-fide winner that gives you maximum effort.  Underrated mid-range shooter.   *           Leon Gibson III                    6’7”     Leuzinger (Lawndale CA) Improved rebounder and defender.   *           Greg Giron                           6’5”     Chino Hills (Chino Hills CA) Fundamentally sound forward is a fine passer.   *           Phil Gruber                           6’6”     Westview (San Diego CA) Face-up shooter is an underrated defender.   *           Miles Jarrett                         6’6”     Ayala (Chino Hills CA) Jarrett (an excellent student – 3.6 GPA) has a nice mid-range jump shot and is an underrated athlete.   *           Christian Katuala               6’5”     Etiwanda (Etiwanda CA) Very underrated interior scorer and tough defender.   *           Keith Taylor                         6’6”     Price (Los Angeles CA) Agile forward has the ability catch the rock in traffic.   *           Katario Walker                    6’6”     Blair (Pasadena CA) Athletic rebounder applies great defensive pressure.   *           Trevor Warren                     6’6”     Santa Clara (Oxnard CA) Warren is a nice athlete with an excellent physique.  Tough rebounder can finish in transition.   *           Warren Williamson 6’5”     Loyola (Los Angeles CA) Aggressive defender and rebounder.  Terrific student (4.0-plus GPA).   Photos of Solomon Hill, Victor Rudd, Derrick Williams, Alec Williams and Devonte Elliott by Nick Koza (www.SportsAmp.com).

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