Seattle’s Sonics may be playing under a new name in a new city and state, but the state of Washington’s high school basketball scene has never been healthier.
Recent Washingtonians moving on to the major college and pro ranks include; Brandon Roy (Blazers); Nate Robinson (Knicks); Aaron Brooks (Rockets); Lodrick and Rodrick Stewart (USC/Kansas); Adam Morrison (Lakers); Marvin Williams (Hawks); Josh Heytvelt (Gonzaga); Rodney Stuckey (Pistons); Martell Webster (Blazers); Jon Brockman (Washington); Marcus Williams (76ers); Terrence Williams (Louisville); Spencer Hawes (Kings); Jamelle McMillan (Arizona State); Isaiah Thomas (Washington); Venoy Overton (Washington); Steven Gray (Gonzaga); DeAngelo Casto (Washington State).
The Evergreen State’s most recent offering from the class of 2009 produced three McDonald’s All-Americans – Peyton Siva (Franklin, Louisville signee), Abdul Gaddy (Bellarmine Prep, Washington signee) and Avery Bradley (Bellarmine Prep/Findlay Prep (Nev.), Texas signee).
So who’s next? The class of 2010 won’t match the Bradley-Gaddy-Siva trio for star power, but a certain big man at the top of the list will make sure plenty of attention remains on the Northwest corner of the country.
Class of 2010
Josh Smith, Kentwood
Photo By Dennis Lee
(2) Joe Harris, 6-5, G, Chelan … Harris was flying under the radar in his own state until turning in dominating performances at the Class 1A tournament in Yakima and winning big in the postseason awards department. A long, versatile guard, Harris averaged 24.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.7 steals per game in leading the Goats to a 24-6 record.
(3) Cole Dickerson, 6-7, F, Federal Way … Dickerson had a great showing at the Class 4A state tournament and arguably earned MVP honors (which went to class of 2012 star Tony Wroten Jr.) after leading Jerome Collins’ Eagles to the title. Fundamental and almost plain, Dickerson averaged 17.5 points per game on the season. With improved strength and speed, could go from good to dominant as a senior.
(4) John Gage, 6-9, F, Vashon Island … Gage had a big season at the 1A level, leading Vashon Island to a 26-1 record and a state title. He didn’t put up huge numbers (16.7 points per game), but didn’t have to as the Pirates were one of the more impressive and dominant small-school squads in recent memory with five players over 6-foot-5. Gage is a bit untested but drawing interest from Pac-10 schools including defending champion Washington.
(5) Aaron Bright, 5-11, G, Bellevue … Bright is a special player at the high school level and is drawing interest from Pac-10 schools, including Stanford. As a junior for the Class 3A third-place Wolverines, the floor general averaged 16.5 points and 5.0 assists per game. The only question mark for Bright is size, but his basketball acumen consistently erases any doubts about his ability to play at the next level.
(6) Simi Fajemisin, 6-9, F, Lynnwood … Fajemisin isn’t a consistently dominant player yet, but at 6-9 and 255 pounds he is going to get long looks from major conference college programs. Gonzaga is among the schools reportedly interested in Fajemisin after averaging 10.6 points per game as a junior.
(7) Patrick Simon, 6-7, F, Ephrata … Simon showed a lot of promise as a sophomore in helping Ephrata capture the Class 2A state title but missed his junior season with injuries. Tough to say how he will look coming off the extended absence, but he has 3-point range and reminds some of former Chelan and University of Utah standout Phil Cullen. Simon committed to Washington State as a freshman but opened his recruiting up with the departure of Tony Bennett to Virginia.
(8) Andre’ Winston Jr., 6-2, G, Lakes (Lakewood) … Lakes will be loaded with intriguing, returning talent in 2009-2010 after a run to the 3A state tournament this season. Winston Jr. averaged 19.2 points per game and turned it on against quality teams like Enumclaw (28 points), Foster (28) and Seattle Prep (32).
(9) Vonchae Richardson, 6-0, G, Franklin (Seattle) … It took Richardson some time to transition into the Quaker program after transferring from Mount Rainier, but he really opened some eyes down the stretch. Highlighted by a 24-point outburst in the opening round of the state tournament that included six 3-pointers, Richardson scored in double figures in 14 of Franklin’s last 17 games. Expect his numbers and stock to rise as a senior as head coach Jason Kerr looks for ways to replace Peyton Siva’s production.
(10) Jamon Echols, 5-11, G, Rainier Beach (Seattle) … Echols was a steadying force for head coach Mike Bethea in a turbulent season that saw several Rainier Beach standouts miss stretches of action with injuries. Sharing point guard duties with Eastern Washington-bound senior D’vonne Pickett, Echols averaged a team-best 14.0 points per game. With seven seniors departing, Echols will be relied upon much more next season.
Other 2010 Names to Watch
Dominic Ballard, 6-4, G/F, O’Dea (Seattle)
Riley Carel, 6-3, G, Enumclaw
* Kevin Davis, 6-8, F, Todd Beamer (Federal Way)
Robby Douglas, 6-2, G, Shadle Park (Spokane)
Connor Hamlett, 6-7, F, Meadowdale (Lynnwood)
Kai Hoyt, 6-4, G/F, Roosevelt (Seattle)
J.T. Koontz, 6-10, F, Federal Way
Jayson Lewis, 6-1, G, Enumclaw
Terelle Loggins, 6-0, G, Spanaway Lake (Spanaway)
James Lopez, 6-0, G, Eisenhower (Yakima)
Jordan McCloud, 6-6, F, Decatur (Federal Way)
Chris McGrath, 6-1, G, Cascade (Everett)
Chris Morgan, 5-10, G, Union (Camas)
Ryan Nicholas, 6-7, F, Gonzaga Prep (Spokane)
Darius Page, 6-7, F, Foster (Tukwila)
Lonnie Pearson, 6-5, F, Rainier Beach (Seattle)
Vionte Reid, 5-10, G, Franklin (Seattle)
Tanner Riley, 6-2, G, Mount Si (Snoqualmie)
Ryan Rogers, 6-4, G/F, Auburn-Riverside (Auburn)
Tre Tyler, 6-2, G, Kentwood (Covington)
Isiah Umipig, 6-0, G, Federal Way
Tarren VanTrojen, 6-6, F, Enumclaw
Michael Weisner, 6-7, G/F, Walla Walla
Gary Winston, 6-1, G, Walla Walla
* Applying for fifth year of eligibility
Class of 2011
Tony Wroten Jr., Garfield
Photo By Jim Redman
(2) Gary Bell, 6-1, G, Kentridge (Kent) … Bell will be fun to watch develop over the next two years and it wouldn’t be a shock to see him overtake Wroten as the state’s top 2011 star. The point guard averaged 19.0 points per game in leading Kentridge to the Class 4A state semifinals.
(3) Christian Behrens, 6-7, F, Tahoma (Kent) … Behrens plugged away through a 1-19 season at Tahoma, averaging 20.5 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. Despite his team’s struggles, college coaches are already on his trail. Kentridge head coach Dave Jamison payed him the ultimate compliment by telling the Covington Reporter, “He gets bigger and better every time I see him. I want him to move away.”
(4) Jamaal Jones, 6-2, G, Graham-Kapowsin (Graham) … Like Behrens, Jones “starred” for a 1-19 outfit, averaging 18.5 points per game. He poured in a season-high 29 points in the Eagles’ lone victory of the season, an 85-81 win over Spanaway Lake. Jones is also a big-time playmaker for the Graham-Kapowsin football team and is already on the radar of several Pac-10 squads in that sport.
(5) Jerron Smith, 6-3, G/F, Decatur (Federal Way) … Smith started as a freshman for a solid Decatur program and followed with a nice sophomore campaign, averaging 16.5 points per game. The departure of senior guard Marcus Tibbs clears the way for Smith to take over for the Golden Gators.
Other 2011 Names to Watch
Xavier Bazile, 6-5, F, Mount Tahoma (Tacoma)
Deshea Bell, 6-0, G, Kennedy (Burien)
Colin Bossio, 6-1, G, Capital (Olympia)
Glenn Brooks, 6-0, G, Garfield (Seattle)
Calvin Douglas, 6-5, F, Richland
Salim Gloyd, 6-6, F, Garfield (Seattle)
Brett Kingma, 6-2, G, Jackson (Mill Creek)
Keon Lewis, 6-1, G, Chief Sealth (Seattle)
Napa Mefi, 5-9, G, Todd Beamer (Federal Way)
Jordan Russell, 5-9, G, Lincoln (Tacoma)
Devante Williams, 6-2, G/F, O’Dea (Seattle)
Jaleel Williams, 6-6, G/F, Federal Way
Terrell Williams, 5-10, G, Decatur (Federal Way)
Isaac Winston, 6-2, G, Lakes (Lakewood)
Class of 2012 Names to Watch
Anrio Adams, Franklin
Photo By Juliann Tallino
Zach Banner, 6-8, F, Lakes (Lakewood)
Mitch Brewe, 6-6, F, Seattle Prep (Seattle)
Cedric Dozier, 5-11, G, Lakes (Lakewood)
Daniel Greer, 5-10, G, Garfield (Seattle)
Jalen Ward, 5-9, G, O’Dea (Seattle)
Michael Washington Jr., 6-2, G, Oak Harbor
Pierre Wright, 5-11, G, Garfield (Seattle)
Did we miss someone? If you have a high school basketball player from the state of Washington you feel deserves mention, e-mail Jason Hickman at jrhickman@maxpreps.com.
