Francisco Awards: Most Improved (Class of 2020) LONG BEACH, CA—What do you do when you’re taken out of the classroom and in the midst of a virus quarantine? You bust out “the best of the best” from the 2019-20 high…
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LONG BEACH, CA—What do you do when you’re taken out of the classroom and in the midst of a virus quarantine? You bust out “the best of the best” from the 2019-20 high school basketball season—So Cal Style. Beginning with the immensely talented Sierra Canyon squad, who exhibited the type of fanfare demonstrated by the Lonzo Ball-led Chino Hills squad of years past. Brandon Boston Jr was the MVP for the Trailblazers, but surprisingly the Kentucky signee was not the best player on his team as that label belonged to the multi-skilled Ziaire Williams Ziaire Williams 6'8" | SF Sierra Canyon | 2020 State #9 Nation CA-S .
USC-bound
Evan Mobley
Evan
Mobley
6'11" | PF
Rancho Christian | 2020
State
#1
Nation
CA-S
is still considered the “best prospect”, but he needs to assert himself more going forward to reach his vast potential.
Josh Christopher
Josh
Christopher
6'4" | SG
Mayfair | 2020
State
#11
Nation
CA-S
(Mayfair) put up huge numbers and Utah-bound
Ian Martinez
Ian
Martinez
6'3" | SG
JSerra | 2020
State
#47
Nation
CA-S
rattled many rims with his bounce, but also showed off a much-improved jump shot. In the following blogs, we will break down the season and also project what the Class of 2020 has to offer going forward as they put their finger prints on the college basketball scene. However, that is only going to happen if this Corona Virus disappears into the thin air.
Most Improved
Ian Martinez Ian Martinez 6'3" | SG JSerra | 2020 State #47 Nation CA-S (JSerra)
SG, 6-foot-4, 175 pounds
Joel’s Take: Martinez has slowly, but assuredly, risen through the national rankings—and that is highly overdue. The bouncy shooting guard that is headed to Utah in the fall has improved all areas of his game. He is still the ultra-bouncy rim rattler, but now he has a much-improved jump shot and pull-up game—not too mention his faciliating skills are on the rise as well.
Brantly Stevenson Brantly Stevenson 6'2" | PG Etiwanda | 2020 State CA-S (Etiwanda)
SG, 6-foot-4, 175 pounds
Stevenson’s improved jump shot has elevated his all-around game.Joel’s Take: When I saw Stevenson play for Prodigy a couple of years ago he showed glimpses of what he could become in the future. First, his motor never stops at both ends of the floor. Secondly, his high school coach (Dave Kleckner) always demands “defensive intensity”, or playing time will be limited. The future Cal Poly commit is a lock down defender with an improved jump shot and his bounce and quickness are Division 1 ready.
Jadon Jones Jadon Jones 6'4" | SF St. Anthony | 2020 State CA-S (St. Anthony)
SG, 6-foot-4, 170 pounds
Joel’s Take: The upside was always there for Jones due to his quickness and speed with the ball in his hands. However, the slick lefty exhibited a potent jump shot to his arsenal as he became one of the best scorers in Southern California this season and should make an immediate impact at Long Beach State.
Andre Henry
Andre
Henry
6'4" | CG
St. Francis | 2020
State
#384
Nation
CA-S
(St. Francis)
SG, 6-foot-4, 170 pounds
Joel’s Take: it was just a matter of time before Henry started to dominate the high school ranks. The willowy Henry is a terrific all-around player and UC Irvine’s staff—as they usually do—identified him early in the process. The length, savvy, and budding skills were always there—it was just a matter of could he handle the physicality of the game. Each and every season he improved his overall game and as his strength continues to improve so will his production.
Brandon Angel Brandon Angel 6'8" | SF Torrey Pines | 2020 State #192 Nation CA-S (Torrey Pines)
PF, 6-foot-8, 200 pounds
Angel has added a nice face-up drive game to his feathery shooting touch.Joel’s Take: The pick-and-pop 4-man attracted coaches and scouts alike with his shooting prowess. His frame projects well to the next level and he has added a much more confident face-up game and ability to get to the basket off the bounce. John Olive has done an excellent job through the years and this year is no exception with continued development of Angel.
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