By: Sean Harris

WCE SoCal Summer Finale: Top Performers

West Coast Elite SoCal Summer Finale

Over the weekend I was able to take in the West Coast Elite SoCal Summer Finale. Tons of teams came out from all over the country and even a couple outside the US came through. There was a variety of talent from future superstars to guys who can be quality role players at the next level. These are the players that stood out amongst the rest.

Dillon Claussen – SF – 6’8” – NBDA (NE) (2024 Creighton Prep)

  • Positionless player that can play inside and outside, while always being a threat

  • Active on the glass on both ends, and an amazing weak side shot blocker

  • Great ball handler for his size combined with a solid post-game and outside shot

Treyson Anderson – PF – 6’10” – NBDA (NE) (2024 Pius)

  • Elite offensive rebounder that positions himself to score in the paint at will

  • As good as a finisher he is, he is a consistent three-point threat

  • Establishes an immediate paint presence to the team on the defensive end

Marques Calcote – PG – 6’3” – WCE LA HS 17U LA National Gruskin (CA) (2023 Mission Academy)

  • Crafty ball handler that does a fantastic job of finding the open space

  • Willing to sacrifice his body, especially as a pesky on-ball defender

  • Shot creator from anywhere on the floor and knows how to find the open guy

Demarco Johnson – PG – 6’3” – Elev8 Basketball (CA) (2025 Southern California Academy)

  • Shifty ball handler who is not afraid of the moment

  • Impacts the game as a rebounder coming from the point guard spot

  • Bouncy in the lane and willing to go up against the trees and get hit

Darius Carr – PG – 6’4” – Elev8 Basketball (CA) (2023 Fairfax)

  • Deep shooter who has the ultimate green light

  • No fears as a scorer and he puts the ball in the basket from all three levels

  • Lockdown two-way guard who clearly takes pride in stopping his opposition

Troy Nickel – PG – 6’2” – Off the Dribble 17U (Singapore) (2024 New Zealand)

  • Instant leadership to your team as a ball handler and a defender

  • Remains calm on the offensive end and doesn’t force action

  • Great going both ways and excels as a P&R player

Mathias Tinker – SF – 6’6” – IE Fire Elite (CA) (2024 King)

  • Quick-trigger shooter who spreads the floor and shoots over the top with length

  • Able to defend all five positions when needed with his quickness and size

  • Knows how to put himself in positions to be successful to score

Deacon Perry – SF – 6’6” – WCE LA HS 17U LA National Gruskin (CA) (2024 Heritage Christian)

  • Tricky in the lane when finishing with both hands

  • Outstanding rebounding on both ends that leads to easy buckets

  • Becomes a one-man fastbreak with his speed that also helps him as a defender

Wesley Trevino – PG – 6’2” – Alley-Oop 17U Black (CA) (2025 Los Alamitos)

  • Underrated strength for his size that helps him shrug off contact in the lane

  • Consistent shooter that can score in a multitude of ways

  • Gives tons of energy as a defender and rebounder while being a true point guard

JC Schindler – PG – 5’11” – WCE OC 17 National (CA) (2024 Woodbridge)

  • Sharpshooter who brings an immediate scoring burst with his shooting ability

  • Content moving without the ball and can also set up his teammates just as well

  • Undersized but has a great build that helps him stay in front of his ma

Elias Chin – PG – 6’4” – WCE LA HS 17U SoCal National Gruskin (CA) (2024 Thousand Oaks)

  • Natural feel for the game as a big point guard who makes quality decisions

  • Excels as a setup man for his teammates and a leader of the offense

  • Can defend guards and forwards with his strength and size

Nasir Luna – SG – 6’4” – WCE LA HS 17U SoCal National Gruskin (CA) (2024 Windward)

  • Three-level scorer who has the ability to take over a game

  • Athletic with a long wingspan to cause havoc as a defender

  • Moves just as well without the ball and draws a lot of attention

Jackson Leach – PG – 5’10” – Elite 24 17U Black (OR) (2024 West Salem)

  • Lightning-fast guard with elite finishing ability

  • Forces defenses to collapse and knows when to kick it out to shooters

  • Scrappy on-ball defender forcing other guards to get the ball out of their hands

Ben Thornbrue – PF – 6’7” – Elite 24 17U Black (OR) (2023 Glencoe)

  • Thrives as a defensive-minded wing who can guard at every position

  • Cleans up the boards while putting his body on the line and drawing attention

  • Has great hands around the rim and can shoot it when needed

Weston Van Soest – PG – 6’2” – Gamepoint Supreme 17U (CA) (2024 Murrieta Mesa)

  • Relentless energy that he brings to both sides of the ball

  • Three-point marksman that needs no space to get off his shots

  • Scores well OTD and OTC through creating space

Braydon Ace Long – SG – 6’1” – Elite 24 17U Volt (OR) (2024 Williamatte)

  • Knockdown specialist who puts points up in bunches

  • Smart defender both on-ball and in help situations

  • Seen as a spot-up shooter but has no problem handling the rock

Wyatt Stassens – SG – 6’5” – Elite 24 17U Volt (OR) (2023 Summit)

  • All-around forward that can play 1-4 on both ends of the floor

  • Crafty finisher who has no issue getting hit and finishing with both hands

  • Reliable as a shooter and makes smart decisions as a passer and slasher

Bryant Hedrick – PG – 6’0” – Chicago Demons 17U (IL) (2024 De LaSalle)

  • Small but keeps a good base as a defender to keep his guy in front

  • Quick bursts of speed to the hoop and has the willingness to sacrifice his body

  • Finishes with both hands, with strength and has a steady jumper

Osami Maciel – PG – 5’10” – WCE Valley Braverman (CA) (2025 St. Paul)

  • Wicked lateral movement as a ball handler that has the defender guessing

  • Slick passing ability and is able to get the ball through the teeth of the defense

  • Able to get his own shot with no help but loves to get others involved

Kade Cook – SG – 6’7” – NBDA (NE) (2024 Gretna)

  • Lengthy combo wing who brings a high level of intensity defending 1-4

  • Has a calm demeanor as a ball handler with smart decisions when passing

  • Sweet stroke from deep OTC and attacks strong when slashing

Diego Martinez – PG – 6’3” – WCE LA HS 17U South National DeGroot (CA) (2024 JSerra)

  • Does whatever is needed for the team to win and has a well-rounded game

  • Uses his solid build to excel as a defender and rebounding guard

  • Can get his own as a shot maker but thrives when diming up his teammates

Ozzeno Diallo – PG – 6’2” – SDA 17’s Elite (CA) (2024 Hoover)

  • Attacks hard with no fear of getting hit at the rim

  • Has ridiculous bounce that he uses to rebound and finish as an undersized guard

  • Gives up size on the defensive end but doesn’t shy away from anyone