While you were sleeping: San Diego's most underrated players - 2020
San Diego was loaded with star power this year, so it was understandable that a number of standout performers had seasons that were largely overlooked by the mainstream fan.
Who were some of the most underrated players in SD? We give you a rundown
Class of 2020's most underrated players
Alex Bell, 5-10 G, Serra - It's almost a crime how underrated Bell has been over his career. He had two 40-point games, four 30-point games and averaged 23 points per game his final two seasons.
Ronnie Green, 6-4 F, Morse - He was an All-Central League performer and one of the Top 10 athletes in San Diego. Green was a highlight waiting to happen, whether by way of a monster dunk or a chasedown block. Look for him to make his way on a juco roster and smooth out the rough edges of his game.
Kasen Dickerson, 6-4 G, University City - The emergence of his teammate Francky Naguidebe made Dickerson hover further below the radar, but he was one of San Diego's most complete guards, averaging 12.7 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists per game for the D2 runners up.
Zach Moore, 6-5 G/F, Del Norte - The athletic wing has already been noted for his improvement, but regionally, the walking triple-double threat deserved much more recognition than he received for a season that saw him average 17 points, 10 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3 steals per game.
Gio Martinez, 5-7 PG, Olympian - Because much of the attention in the South Bay was aimed towards San Ysidro and Mater Dei Catholic, Martinez's setting of the Eagles scoring and assists records went unheralded. He averaged a team high 16.4 points per game in his fourth year as a starter.
Jake Tawhiao, 6-3 G, Christian - Relentless is the best word to describe Tawhiao, a slashing guard who was a perfect complement to Kobe Sanders in the Patriots back court. Averaged 12.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.5 steals for the Open Division qualifiers.
Clyde Harris, 6-1 G, Oceanside - Harris' value went far beyond his prolific stats (averaged 21 points, 10.6 rebounds and 4 assists and 4 steals per game) - the Pirates crumbled during the stretch where the athletic scoring combo guard missed due to an injury, and never totally regained their footing.
Blake Dean, 6-4 G, Mt Carmel - Dean, healthy for his first full season since his sophomore year, looked like the player he was before the injuries hit. The wing is a solid shooter and a very underrated athlete who gets after it defensively.
Tre Singleton, 6-4 W, Serra - Because he wasn't asked to score as much for this team, people tend to understate Singleton's contributions over his three-year varsity career. His defensive versatility and rebounding were critical to the undersized Conquistadors success. He is the type of player who will blossom in junior college once he is able to play his natural position.
Reggie Everett, 5-11 G, Lincoln - The All Eastern League first teamer reminds me a lot of Alex Bell in the sense that they are just far too underrated for some reason. A tight handle, prolific range and nose for the hoop describe Everett, who had multiple 40-point efforts.
Kolby Yates (6-6 W) and Tony Sanchez (6-1 G), Otay Ranch - The perimeter shooters on the Mustangs gave the team the floor spacing they needed to open up the interior for PJ Brinkman and Zach Rachow. Yates is an intriguing prospect with length, bounce and a solid lefty stroke. Sanchez provided the Mustangs with a dead-eye shooter who had to be accounted for, and an underrated slasher when defenders closed out. Averaged a combined 25 points per game.
Jake Pfitzner, 6-4 W, El Capitan - A byproduct of playing in Division 4 and in a league that had its struggles, Pfitzner's prolific senior year went under the radar. He averaged 22.5 points and 7+ rebounds a game while sporting a much trimmer physique, which allowed him to develop his scoring beyond his prolific three-point shooting.
Jadyn James, Helix, 5-10 PG, Helix - Headed to Chapman, the underrated senior lead guard set the table for the Highlanders other scoring options, while guarding the opponent's best perimeter player. But James scored when he had to, evidenced by his 16-point performance against St. Augustine.
David McRae, 5-9 PG, High Tech High SD - In its first year in the City Conference, what did McRae do? Win an Eastern League co-championship, win player of the year and lead his team to the Division 4 quarterfinals. McRae does a great job changing speeds and creates for teammates in drive-and-kick scenarios, and is a better finisher around the basket than you'd expect.
Frank Gelfman, 6-2 G Canyon Crest Academy - Defense often gets overlooked on these lists, but Gelfman was arguably one of the top on-ball defenders in the county. His defense was critical in the Ravens surprise playoff run and early season success at the Hilltop Winter Tournament.
McKay Roberts, 6-1 G, Granite Hills - A strong combo guard with unlimited range, Roberts improved this year as a passer and playmaker off the dribble. The results? The Eagles won the Grossmont Valley League and made a run to the CIF Division 3 semifinals.
Joel Calhoun, 6-4 SG, Fallbrook - A big wing with a potent three-point stroke, Calhoun led the Warriors in scoring and helped them to the biggest turnaround in the county.
Evan Rice, 6-0 G, Clairemont - A surprisingly crafty playmaker who can stroke it from deep, Rice led the Chieftains to their first winning record in the Maxpreps era.
Ariene Velasco, 6-0 G Sweetwater - Another underrated shooter, Velasco developed a potent one-two dribble pull-up jump shot and became much more than a spot-up shooter for the Red Devils.
Paris Smith, 6-7 C Oceanside - The massive post prospect is one of the most improved players in the county, averaging 12.2 points and 7.3 rebounds and providing Oceanside with one of the more imposing interior players countywide.
Nico Figueroa, 5-10 G, O'Farrell Charter - The senior sharpshooter quadrupled his production from his junior to senior year (3.8 ppg to 16.2 ppg) and hit 100 threes. He's headed to Grossmont College with fellow teammate DeAndre Allison.
