2014 W 6’5″ Kaleb Warner: Mercer Island (WA)

I spent the last couple of days in Mesa, Arizona at the VisitMesa.com Tournament.  Of the 8 out of State teams, I was impressed with the Mercer Island Islanders out of Washington.  They were in my estimation the best coached team of the visiting contingents.  Head Coach Gavin Cree had some nice pieces to work with as well, including 2013 6’8″ Joe Rasmussen who’s committed to Seattle Pacific.

The burgeoning star of the group though is 2014 Wing guard, 6’5″ Kaleb Warner.  Warner was never in a hurry but always did everything on time.  He let the game come to him and although he was going full spped always looked fluid and in control.  He hit perimeter shots and showed off an impressive floater several times that young guys his age typically do not have.  However, it was his court vision that impressed me most.  He waited for plays to develop and made many advance passes from the wing to team mates for easy interior buckets. His length and athleticism allow him to guard backcourt players or the other team’s small forward.

I had a chance to catch up with both him and his dad Dwayne Warner who himself was a baller back in the day at San Jose State.  Kaleb is one of those kids that looks you in the eye and is very respectful (aka coachable).  He said his recruitment to this point was limited to West Coast schools.  Peppedine was the highest profile school showing high interest as was Cal Poly, Portland State and other Great West Conference institutions.  There is no question that he deserves more recognition than that. I expect him to really burst onto the scene this spring and summer. I was able to dig up some You Tube video on him from his freshman year.  He’s improved significantly.