SoCal Recruiting Update

<p>The early signing period for the class of 2021 passed a couple of weeks ago with a strong contingent of SoCal-based high school prospects making their Division I commitments official.</p> <p>While we’ve covered many of the region’s high profile commitments with coinciding evaluations, there were a couple of new developments that we have yet to break down. In this piece we will discuss those new commitments and signings.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="747078" first="Obinna" last="Anyanwu"]</strong>, <em>Cathedral Catholic, signed with Cal</em> - Anyanwu was our top-rated non-committed player in the senior class and he’s now officially off the board to Berkeley. The 6-foot-7 forward projects as a versatile defender and high rate rebounder who can score with efficiency in the painted area. Anyanwu has the size, length and mobility to guard the three and four spots at the next level and will create second chance and transition scoring opportunities at Cal.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="680210" first="Houston" last="Mallette"]</strong>, <em>Pacifica Christian, decommitted from Penn State and signed with Pepperdine</em> - When the Nittany Lion parted ways with the coach that Mallette committed to it was highly likely we’d see the talented point guard make a change - and I really like the move he made. The 6-foot-3 floor general is heading to Malibu to play for coach Lorenzo Romar at Pepperdine, and if there’s one thing Romar and his staff do well (they do multiple things well), it’s develop the guard position. Mallette already has the command for position and leadership qualities needed to run a team and joining a college program well-versed in combo guard development, Mallette has a bright future with the Waves.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="680231" first="Justin" last="Rochelin"]</strong>,<em> Heritage Christian, signed with Arizona State</em> - Rochelin to Arizona State was the surprise of the early singing period. The 6-foot-5 wing battled injuries last season which kept him off the floor for a considerable amount of the season, but when he was able to suit up he showed flashes of why he’s an intriguing prospect. Rochelin has a great athletic profile as far as size for position, build and length go and he’s a knockdown perimeter shooter off the catch. Outside of his shooting prowess, Rochelin can attack the basket in transition and finish above the rim or through contact.</p>