UAA SoCal: Four-star Anderson rising

GARDEN GROVE, Calif.-- For their third Association stop of the spring, Under Armour sponsored teams have gathered just outside of Disney for Memorial Day weekend. During Saturday’s opening action, four-star guard Josh Anderson looked much improved and talked about potential favorites.

He wasn’t alone in making news or having a big day.

Currently ranked No. 64 in the class of 2017, Lousiana Elite combo guard Josh Anderson is building an excellent case to be elevated higher in the Rivals150.

Anderson, who's pushing 6-foot-5, has always impressed with his athleticism and scoring punch. However, the product of Baton Rouge (La.) Madison Prep looks to be taking his game to an entirely new level.

Saturday, Anderson put together a 28-point, seven-rebound and two-assist effort in a win over We-R-1 and 2017’s top ranked point guard, Trevon Duval. He showed improved handling, was aggressive and made one play after another off of the bounce.

Anderson is working with a nice list of schools and says that he’s being recruited as a big guard who can play the two or the one.

“Texas A&M, Baylor, Florida, LSU and N.C. State are coming at me hard," Anderson said. "I’ve got some others, too, and am trying to keep my options open.”

“People are recruiting me as a guard who can play the two or the one. Off the dribble I can play well in pick and roll basketball. The main thing that I’m trying to work on is shooting a consistent jump shot.”

Four-star wing Naji Marshall is the heart and soul of one of the Association’s better 17U teams, DC Premier. Teammates like soon-to-be four-star 2017 big man Nate Watson and 2018 guard Prentiss Hubb can both go off, but Marshall is the rock.

Whether he’s scoring on a series of tough drives, offensive rebounds or pull-ups or simply playing strong defense, his impact is felt. Currently ranked No. 66 overall in 2017, he will play his senior season at Chatham (Va. ) Hargrave Academy. Marshall is also an excellent passer and lists three schools that are putting themselves a cut above the rest of the pack.

“Xavier, Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh are standing out," he said. "It’s the relationship that I have with the coaches at those programs and the way they talk to me about how much they want to coach me.”

Marshall said he really liked his unofficial visit to Xavier last month and also listed South Carolina, Temple, Rhode Island, Cincinnati and DePaul among others that are involved.

Schools are going to keep a close eye on Oklahoma Run PWP shooting guard Caleb Bennett this spring, and odds are they will like him.

A solidly built 6-foot-4 class of 2017 shooting guard from St. Joseph (Mo.) Lafayette, Bennett can make some shots from deep, pull up in the mid-range or get to the rim. He uses his strength to work over defenders and is an instinctive scorer.

Bennett told Rivals.com that he has offers from Northern Iowa, San Jose State and Oral Roberts, but he’s also got growing interest from programs like Memphis, Wichita State, Texas A&M, DePaul, IUPUI, Middle Tennessee State, Oklahoma, Texas, Houston, Tulsa and Nebraska.

He’s eyeing Texas A&M, Nebraska, Tulsa and Houston for potential June unofficial visits and says coaches like his approach.

“From talking to the coaches they like that my motor is non-stop," Bennett said. "I’m also getting my ball handling a lot tighter. I’ve been working on it day in and day out.”

The No. 15 ranked player in the class of 2018, Gerald Liddell is a big wing who slashes and rebounds at a high rate and has established himself as a five-star prospect. Playing for Texas Hard Work on the 16U level, he’s a load to stop because of his athleticism and motor. Liddell said that he would visit UCLA -- which has offered -- after the UAA weekend and that others like Texas, Kansas, SMU, Arizona, Texas A&M, Baylor, Houston, Creighton and Tennessee have also extended scholarships.

The Indy Hoosiers highly ranked duo of five-star forward Kris Wilkes and four-star combo guard Paul Scruggs played well on Saturday. Wilkes is efficient from 17 feet and in while Scruggs was hitting some difficult pull-up jumpers. Both should be physically ready to help right away in college.

Another player to keep an eye on from Oklahoma Run PWP is Keyshawn Embery. A 6-foot-3 class of 2018 guard, Embery showed the ability to shoot from deep and plus athleticism. Kansas State, Oklahoma State and Tulsa have already offered. Others like Arkansas, Creighton, Texas A&M and Nebraska are also showing interest, and Embery is looking to check out Texas A&M and Nebraska during June.

A good looking find from under the radar was We R 1 shooting guard Kevin Anderson. At 6-foot-3 he showed off a crisp jump shot and the ability to use the dribble to get to scoring zones all over the floor.

Rivals150 point guard Isaiah Washington of New Heights said that his newest offer is from DePaul and that his newest interest has come from Georgetown. Washington was tough off the dribble and blended his scoring and setting up nicely late after a shaky early start. Washington also listed Minnesota, New Mexico and Seton Hall as programs coming at him hard. Teammates Sid Wilson and Keith Williams were also strong. With his length, wing size and rebounding Wilson played up to his No. 129 in 2017 ranking, while Williams is a tough shooting guard who is right on the fringe of climbing into the rankings.

Finally, Team Rio 16’s Bryan Antoine and Team Thad’s D.J. Jeffries were standouts from the 2019 class on Saturday. At 6-foot-5, Antoine has a high basketball IQ, a very dangerous jump shot and he supplements all of that with good athleticism. Jeffries is a big and strong forward who can make some jumpers but does his best damage while attacking the rim. Iowa State, Wake Forest and Ole Miss are among the potential five-star Jeffries' early offers. Iowa State and Ole Miss have also offered Jeffries’ teammate Tyler Harris, a 5-foot-10 point guard who ranks No. 61 overall in 2018.