Prospect Spotlight: Chris Howell (2021)
We admit that it’s never easy making projections about rising freshman prospects. A lot can change over four years.
But at this stage, very few prospects in Southern California’s rising freshman class have Chris Howell‘s upside.
Howell, who will attend San Marcos High, prides himself on elevating his teammates. At 6-4, he is a willing passer with great court vision. He changes pace extremely well in the half court, which keeps defenders off balance.
And while he prefers assists over points, he’s more than capable of calling his own number, and can finish with either hand off the dribble.
He reminds us of a young Shaun Livingston, who just won his second NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors.
Howell displayed his unselfish brand of basketball at the Pangos Premier 80 (where he was one of 2 freshmen), throwing deft outlet passes to waiting teammates. One day later, he dominated the competition at the Double Pump Summer Tip-Off Tournament, scoring and assisting at will.
He plays AAU with Coastal Elite.
“It was amazing,” Howell said of playing at the Pangos Premier 80. “They were able to teach me more and I was able to teach them some things. My biggest takeaway was that even though it is a showcase, you still can play ‘team ball.'”
Howell, 14, credits his brother, UC San Diego point guard Mikey Howell, for teaching him the art of the selfless.
“My brother is a great point guard,” he said.
Howell said that he is working on improving his perimeter shooting, which will make him an even greater threat on the floor.
Howell is looking forward to high school basketball, where he has already made his mark in the summer, helping lead his Knights to a championship at the San Diego State team camp.
“I want to win CIF,” he said.