David De Pas
After spending 15-plus hours watching a plethora of games, Day 1 at the inaugural Las Vegas Fab 48 ended when Belmont Shore upended California Supreme 88-80. The explosive playmaking of 5-11 Cezar Guerrero (Bellflower, Calif./ St. John Bosco), the soft shooting touch of 6-8 DeAndre Daniels (TBD) and the dominant inside duo of 6-8 junior Grant Jerrett (La Verne, Calif./Lutheran) and 6-8 Ronnie Stevens (Gardena, Calif./Serra) were too much and eventually wore down the Supreme.
Standout player
Kyle Wiltjer (Portland, Ore./Jesuit, Video)
2011, 6-8, 210 | AAU team: Drew Gooden Soldiers
In Las Vegas, Wiltjer has continued the dominance he exhibited at the Nike Peach Jam. His skill level and savvy separate him from any big man in the West. Coming into the summer, he had a reputation for not playing hard all the time and being soft. However, in two games at the Fab 48 he has battled inside for rebounds, finished in traffic with an assortment of moves and has even blocked a number of shots due to his length. His athleticism and strength need to get better and should as he matures. Overall, he is making a run for the No. 1 prospect in the Western region.
One to watch
J.P. Tokoto (Menomonee Falls, Wis./Menomonee Falls)
2012, 6-6, 185
Tokoto is one of the top 2-guard prospects in the country, regardless of class. He is a slick ball handler and he made a number of nifty passes as well. His jump shot looked smooth out to the stripe and he can get to the rim off the dribble. He has all the physical intangibles (length, bounce, skill) to be an impact player at the highest level. However, he needs to play with more physicality and take care of the basketball because he can be turnover prone.
West Coast notebook
• The Class of 2012 in California has a couple outstanding prospects in Jerrett and 6-7 Brandon Ashley (Oakland, Calif./Bishop O’Dowd).
Although Ashley has received more notoriety — and rightfully so — Jerrett is becoming more consistently dominant. Jerrett’s skill level has always been high-level, but now all those finesse finishes around the rim are becoming rim-rattling dunks. More from the Fab 48
