Who took in two days of the Basic at Damien (La Verne, Calif.) and went over our notes to give you 10 stock-risers who’re sure to get extra consideration from school coaches sooner or later. The gamers vary from High 10 future McDonald’s All-People to sleeper D1 prospects.
The Large Three JuniorsCarter Bryant, Sage Hill (Newport Seaside, Calif.) 6-9 2024 SFWhen wanting on the panorama of the highschool basketball scene right this moment, a lot of the High 50 gamers in every nationwide class play with one other High 50 participant. It’s simply the character of the enterprise proper now, as most elite gamers look to workforce with different elites. That is actually not the case for the proficient Bryant, who spent his first two seasons at an Orange County public college (Fountain Valley) and is now at a small personal college the place he performs for his father (former Lengthy Seaside St. participant D’Cean Bryant). The mud is just not near settling, however there might be a while earlier than the the 2024 cycle is full the place it gained’t be a stretch to say Bryant is its finest long-term prospect. The best way the rankings are at present compiled it gained’t occur, however he’s that proficient. He does want to point out he can dominate a excessive degree highschool and/or grassroots recreation, however the instruments and package deal is there. He can see the sport, move out out of the double workforce, shoot excessive of an oncoming double, has stroke, and may rapidly end performs across the rim with out wasted movement within the mildew of the late Len Bias. He’s scheduled to make his official go to to Arizona on Feb. 24 and the Wildcats are the clear chief within the clubhouse to get a dedication.
Zoom Diallo, Curtis (College Place, Wash.) 6-4 2024 PGWhen taking a look at this energy level guard, he has the look of a future NBA participant. He’s already one of many nation’s finest prospects and arguably one of the best prospect at his place within the 2024 class. The polish to his recreation continues to shine by means of, as he’s by no means rushed and at all times beneath management. Along with first step and tight deal with, Diallo makes use of a fast pull as much as maintain defenders sincere and has the energy to complete by means of excessive main contact. Diallo outplayed highly-regarded level guard Tyler Rolison in a simple first spherical victory over St. Bernard (Playa del Rey, Calif.) and went for 22 factors in a 66-62 quarterfinal victory over battled-tested American Fork (Utah). The defending Class 4A state champions battled FAB 50 No. 13 Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood, Calif.) within the platinum division semifinals.
Dedan Thomas Jr., Liberty (Henderson, Nev.) 6-1 2024 PGSimilar to Diallo, Thomas is likely one of the finest level guards within the nation and has his workforce within the platinum division semifinals, the place Liberty battled Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.). Thomas has lengthy been thought-about one of the best level guard within the West Area within the 2024 class and nothing he’s accomplished these days will change that notion, though a powerful case can now be made for Diallo. It has nothing to do Thomas’ play; Diallo is simply that good. Thomas has a really feel for the sport that isn’t taught and a novel inside-out recreation that makes him a troublesome examine. He is aware of how one can maintain his dribble in tight areas, can end from quite a lot of angles, and is a giant shot maker from the skin. Thomas is seeking to lead a younger Liberty membership to a second consecutive NIAA Class 5A title and has two official visits arrange within the coming months. One to UCLA and one to Arizona.
Event Quick-Risers(Listed Alphabetically)
Isaiah Fields, West Ranch (Valencia, Calif.) 6-6 2023 SFThe get away performer of the Southern California highschool scene to date, Fields is a rangy athlete with size who can run the ground and end. He can also knock down an open jumper and competes for free balls. He’s a mid-major athlete with an rising ability set, however it would stay to be seen at which degree he finally ends up as a result of his grades must predict. Fields is an ideal candidate to develop extra at a JUCO or portal up down the road.
Jalen Glenn, Inderkum (Sacramento, Calif.) 6-5 2023 SFWe’ve been excessive on Glenn for a while now and he continued to impress at The Basic. Glenn has all of the makings of a proficient low main plus wing and can run by means of a brick wall in mainly any system. Not solely is he robust, Glenn is a wonderful rebounder and an underrated passer in each the half court docket and on the break. Glenn had a terrific matchup with Etiwanda’s D1-bound wing, 6-foot-7 Curtis Williams, and held his personal. In that matchup, it was clear Williams’ defensive capabilities present Glenn shouldn’t shoot too excessive on the subject of degree he’ll finally play at. He has some D2 curiosity and is ready to see if any D1 will are available in late. Large West and Large Sky applications can be sensible to take an extended look. As for Williams, San Diego St. is the chief within the clubhouse for his providers.
Julian Gomez, La Mirada (Calif.) 6-3 2025 SGThis proficient lefty combo guard has been ripping up all comers to date for a Matadores membership that has superior to the Silver Division semifinals. Gomez is a pure scorer who handles the ball nicely sufficient to see minutes on the one on the following degree. How a lot he grows will decide at what degree he finally settles in to. Gomez has a terrific outdoors shot, will get by sufficient defenders to create photographs for himself and others, and has a terrific array of strikes across the basket. Gomez can be unselfish and strikes his toes nicely on protection. His current play has reportedly earned him a D1 supply from UCSB and he’ll be carefully watch on the grassroots circuit this upcoming spring and summer time.
Doug Langford, St. Pius-St. Matthias (Downey, Calif.) 6-8 2025 PFPlenty of nationwide scouts and a few school coaches carefully watched Langford’s teammate, 6-foot-6 2024 wing Tyrone Riley, however the ones with a pointy eye are additionally monitoring this proficient submit participant. He was a get away performer on the Part 7 dwell scholastic occasion in June and continued his upward tick in La Verne. Langford’s finest trait is he is aware of what he’s: a back-to-the again ahead who takes up area and scores inside whereas staying at house defensively. Langford has base and good toes beneath him and is infrequently caught off-balance. He additionally compliments these toes with strong basic strikes and footwork within the submit. Langford additionally possesses good palms on the catch and retains the ball excessive. One other St. Pius-St. Matthias 2025 prospect to look at is 6-foot-3 capturing guard Tariq Bridges, who shot nicely from the skin.
Hudson Mayes, Redondo Union (Redondo Seaside, Calif.) 6-3 2025 SGThe Seahawks could also be taking their lumps now, however the workforce will probably be a lot improved to make a CIF Southern Part playoff push as their younger items get recreation expertise. Mayes is essentially the most proficient of the lot, as he bought eligible after the 30-day sit out interval and made a optimistic impression at The Basic. Mayes’ body stands out instantly, then watching his recreation you discover how clean offensively he’s. Mayes can get by defenders with ease and sees the sport in entrance of him a step or two forward. He additionally makes use of a pleasant crossover dribble and is a succesful defender. One other proficient guard for coach Reggie Morris Jr. is 6-foot-3 2024 Devin Ringer, outdoors shooter with quickness. S.J. Madison, a 6-foot-4 2026, is one other terrific guard prospect within the fold.
Caleb Newton, Birmingham (Van Nuys, Calif.) 6-3 2026 SGThe Patriots have produced fairly a crop of proficient gamers up to now 10 years and for veteran coach Nic Halic this proficient guard is the newest off the meeting line. Newton is a terrific shooter and was dialed in from downtown within the two video games we evaluated. Newton is a high quality ball-handler and has good instincts on each side of the ball. California’s 2026 class is off to an incredible begin and conservatively Newton is a High 15 participant and sooner or later might be a nationwide High 150 prospect.
Aaron Powell, Campbell Corridor (North Hollywood, Calif.) 6-1 2024 PGWe’ve tracked Powell’s progress since center college and he continues to enhance practically each time we consider him. Powell has improved his bodily attributes, and on the identical time, his explosiveness and that’s unusual for a lot of highschool prospects. Not solely is Powell’s physique maturing, he’s taking and hitting high quality photographs, making good reads for teammates and displaying good defensive traits. Powell not solely makes an impression on each ends of the ground, he’s additionally a high quality pupil and that has aided his recruiting choices. Among the many colleges which have supplied, Arizona St., Portland and the College of San Diego are recruiting him the toughest.
Ronnie Flores is the nationwide Grassroots editor of Ballislife.com. He might be reached at [email protected]. Don’t neglect to observe him on Twitter: @RonMFlores
