2022 revisited - A FTH Sophomore Class update
San Diego’s Class of 2022 is in a state of transition.
By spring, a clear-cut No. 1 prospect in the class had emerged, but that player - Dimitrius Dudley - has since left San Diego for Los Angeles.
So once again, we find ourselves asking who has emerged as the top SD sophomore prospect.
In this sophomore update, we give you some names that could claim the title, some guys who are trending upward and other players who have emerged as prospects in the class.
Who’s on Top
San Marcos G Devon Arlington finished the summer making a strong case to the “Top 2022 prospect” title vacated by Dudley.
He was a force on the Adidas circuit for Gamepoint and had strong showings at several team camps, earning scholarship offers to UC Riverside and CSU Bakersfield.
Right behind him is Alexis Marmolejos, the speedy lead guard at Army Navy Academy who netted his first Division 1 offer this summer from Arkansas State. Marmolejos led his high school in scoring in the tough Coastal League and has an impressive summer with the SDA Soldiers.
Who is on the rise?
Beyond the guard duo atop the class, several players are making their way up the ranks.
Patrick Henry G Cameron Marshall put together a very strong summer with California Select, capped off by an MVP performance in the 2022 Creme Game at the 3P Creme of the County. His transfer from Mater Dei Catholic to the Patriots will give him an opportunity to be featured in his sophomore year.
San Marcos sophomore Max McCall (California Select) has used a growth spurt and newfound confidence on the offensive end to emerge as a legitimate candidate for the classes best two-way player.
Balboa School isn’t in CIF, but 6-7 manchild Daniel Ameyaw has emerged as a big time rebounding, rim running and rim-protecting big who is improving offensively with each outing. He stood out alongside Arlington for Gamepoint.
Which players have emerged as potential sleeper prospects?
A year ago, Cathedral Catholic G Donovan Saunders didn’t play in either COTC game. Today, he stands nearly 6-4 and has emerged as one of the most promising prospects the county has to offer. He’s got the prerequisite length and ball skills and defensive prowess to be a D1 guy as his perimeter shooting comes along.
6-5+ Torrey Pines WF Anthony Scott probably won't be in the rotation for the Falcons this year, but the smooth wing has physical gifts that you can't teach and is becoming more assertive on offense.
Helix 2022 G Markees Williams is also a guy who went from fringe-Select game player to a full fledged standout in the Creme Game this year. The 6-0 guard is smooth with the ball and gets to his spots efficiently, knocking down pull-up jumpers and floaters with equal aplomb.
6-0 G Rami Anglo of Mission Bay has also turned heads this summer as one of the better “three-and-D” guards in San Diego. He had multiple games with SDA Soldiers where he hit 5+ threes, and locked down the opponents top guard. As his handle improves, it will allow him to score more efficiently from midrange and in the paint.
Another player who has made a big splash during the fall is Patrick Henry F Corbin Lommerse. The athletic, 6-5 four man has athletic bloodlines and a rapidly developing face-up game.
Mission Hills twin brothers Justin and Jayden White are two of the classes youngest prospects (turned 15 in May), and are starting to hit big growth spurts. Justin stands 6-5 and is a glass eater for the Grizzlies, while Jayden is nearly 6-4 and could become an intriguing combo guard prospect once he grows into his frame.
Other sleepers: Toby Harris, Carlsbad; Tedrous Teshome, Montgomery; Garrett Poelman, Santa Fe Christian; Cohen Wilson, Steele Canyon; Preston Ochoa, La Costa Canyon; Logan Huston, Torrey Pines; Marc Begin, La Jolla Country Day
Other notes:
La Jolla Country Day has a trio of sophomores - 6-2 G Tate Smith, 6-0 PG Marc Begin and 5-10 SG Jake Bluestein - who have emerged as big pieces in the Torreys reload. Smith has nice size and a quick trigger from three, and Bluestein is one of the most prolific spot-up shooters in the class. Begin, however, could wind up being one of the classes top prospects due to his excellent feel at the point and a growth spurt that has seen him grow 6 inches in about a year.
Foothills Christian 2022 G Jaden LeBel has been an indispensable cog on a reloaded Foothills Christian squad. The 6-3 combo guard knocks down corner threes at a prolific rate and has a motor that runs hot, to his team's benefit.
Carlsbad has found its heir apparent to the point guard position when standout Jailen Nelson graduates, 2022 PG Toby Harris. A 5-9 prospect with a strong build, is speedy with the ball and has deft court vision. Coach Sam Eshelman has so much confidence in him that he plays him in tandem with Nelson for good stretches - and Nelson plays off the ball.
One of the few 2022 players to play “up” during the travel season was Patrick Henry G Deion Hines. Playing on the 16u with Coastal Elite Premier, Hines more than held his own. An athletic combo guard with the potential to be an excellent on-ball defender, Hines is potential breakout star in his sophomore year for the Patriots.
Escondido Charter has a pair of sleeper sophomores, one who will likely be Dave Vidosic's best player, and another who might be his best prospect in program history.
