SoCal Recruiting Update

<p>College commitments are coming as fast as they ever have in SoCal as the COVID-19 pandemic has limited the exposure of many prospects in the region to college coaches.</p> <p>We’ve seen 23 of our top 35 ranked players in the 2021 class pull the trigger on which college they will be attending with Etiwanda’s [player_tooltip player_id="680197" first="Jahmai" last="Mashack"], Mater Dei’s [player_tooltip player_id="680195" first="Wilhelm" last="Breidenbach"], Torrey Pines’ [player_tooltip player_id="747079" first="Chris" last="Howell"] and Laguna Beach’s [player_tooltip player_id="680226" first="Nolan" last="Naess"] the latest SoCal prospects to commit.</p> <p>Let’s take a look at the latest players to choose their college destinations and what those programs are getting.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="680197" first="Jahmai" last="Mashack"]</strong>, Etiwanda, committed to Tennessee: Our No. 5-ranked prospect in the 2021 class will head to the SEC and bring a solid all-around skill-set with him. The 6-foot-4 guard is a college-ready perimeter and team defender who plays with a high IQ, physicality and toughness on both ends of the floor. Mashack plays much bigger than his size, especially on offense, where he attacks driving lanes with confidence and finishes through contact in the painted area. Mashack’s perimeter offensive game features a balanced pull-up jumper and the potential to become a good three-point shooter off the catch.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="680195" first="Wilhelm" last="Breidenbach"]</strong>, Mater Dei, committed to Nebraska: Breidenbach is the best low block player in SoCal due to his combination of touch with both hands and fundamental footwork. The 6-foot-9 forward’s offensive skill set goes well beyond the low-post, though, as he can spread the floor to the three-point line with his pick-and-pop prowess and his ability to knock down trail three’s in the transition setting. Breidenbach is a high motor guy whose activity on the defensive glass and ball handling and passing abilities allow him to push the break and initiate offense at the high school level. Breidenbach will need to add some strength to his slender frame to make an impact immediately in the Big Ten Conference.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="747079" first="Chris" last="Howell"]</strong>, Torrey Pines, committed to St. Mary’s: The Gaels are getting one of the best passers and highest IQ players in the state in Howell. The 6-foot-7 point guard obviously features great size for the position, but the most important thing he brings to the floor is high level decision-making and the willingness to run offense, distribute to teammates all while limiting turnovers. Another aspect of Howell’s game that has proven to be underrated is his impact on the defensive end. His size, length, and ability to anticipate passing lanes make him an instinctual defender who can create turnovers and transition opportunities for his team. Howell will need to refine his offensive game, especially his perimeter shooting ability, to reach his full potential for one of the WCC’s best programs.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="680226" first="Nolan" last="Naess"]</strong>, Laguna Beach, committed to Army: Naess is another skilled and versatile forward prospect who still has plenty of room to improve upon his already impressive skill set. The 6-foot-8 senior is a great passer out of the high and low-post spots, moves well without the basketball to find weak spots in the defense and can score inside and out with his shooting ability and touch around the basket with either hand. Naess has some work to do as a perimeter defender and ball handler to effectively guard his position and play on the perimeter at the next level. </p>