2020 Rankings Update: Stock Raisers (Part II)

The Prep Hoops SoCal staff rolled out the final rankings for the class of 2020 on Tuesday. There was plenty of movement, both up and down, sparked by individual and team performances, along with a couple of high profile transfers in and out of the area as well as a top-ranked player reclassifying from the junior to senior class. Below are some of the prospects who raised their stock and shot up the rankings this season.

Brandon Whitney Brandon Whitney 6'0" | PG Alemany | 2020 State #415 Nation CA-S , Alemany

The 6-foot-1 senior is one of the more crafty scorers in the area and rose from the late 20’s up to No. 20 in this update. Whitney, who is headed to Montana in the fall, utilizes changes of speed and direction to get by defenders and into the paint where he can finish with a floater or an acrobatic layup. Whitney improved his mid-range jumper this season, which also opened up his playmaking skills for others. 

Devin Tillis Devin Tillis 6'6" | SF Windward | 2020 State CA-S , Windward

Tillis rose from No. 37 to No. 22 and had a lot of people in his corner waiting for a Division I program to pull the trigger on a scholarship offer. The 6-foot-6 wing got that offer from UNLV in December and ran with it, committing shortly after, then proceeded to help guide the Wildcats to a CIF Southern Section Division I championship game. Tillis isn’t the most dynamic athlete in the gym, nor the most flashy of players, but his basketball IQ and ability to play multiple positions at the high school level made him one of the most important players on a strong Windward roster. One of the biggest growth’s in Tillis’ game this season was his consistency and confidence from 3-point range.

Jake Hlywiak Jake Hlywiak 6'3" | SG Valencia | 2020 State CA-S , Valencia

Hlywiak ended his high school career as one of the most prolific shooters in Southern Section history, helping him rise from the 60’s to No. 45. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard connected on 122 3-points during his senior season, hitting at a 45 percent clip, while averaging just over four 3-point makes per game. Hlywiak can rise and fire from any spot and any distance on the floor and has one of the most fundamental shooting mechanics in the section.

Kaleb Lowery Kaleb Lowery 6'7" | PF Santa Clarita Christian | 2020 State CA-S , Santa Clarita Christian

Lowery moves from the 50 range into the Top 35, checking in at No. 32. The 6-foot-7 forward isn’t the most athletic or explosive player on his team or in the rankings, but as we mentioned with Andre Henry Andre Henry 6'4" | CG St. Francis | 2020 State #384 Nation CA-S in our first set of stock raisers, Lowery’s impact on winning cannot be overlooked. The Master’s University signee turned himself into one of the better rim protectors and offensive and defensive rebounders in the area, all of which were on full display in the Cardinals’ Division 2AA title win over St. Francis. Lowery is the tough, physical, glue-guy that adds value to any college program.

Wynton Brown Wynton Brown 6'7" | PF St. John Bosco | 2020 State CA-S , St. John Bosco

Brown moved up roughly 20 spots – from the 60’s to No. 40 – after emerging as St. John Bosco’s most consistent interior offensive threat and viable and versatile on-ball defender. The 6-foot-7 forward proved to be a true inside-out scoring threat with his ability to step out and knock down a short corner trey, but Brown also took advantage of driving lanes to finish with power around the basket. Brown is a good get for Northern Arizona and should have a strong career in the Big Sky Conference.