2025 Newcomers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 rankings have been updated. Here is PH NorCals extended list of newcomers to the the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1574722' first='Gavin' last='Sykes'] 6'2 SG of Capital Christian HS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sykes</strong> has a good set of tools for the SG position. He has good speed, and works well in open court situations with the ball in hand. He's good in transition looking to go by defenders using crossovers and other moves to get to the rim, where he finishes strong. He has strong takes off the dribble, he'll pull-up for a dime jumper, or he can put it up from 3 with some success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dieume Blakely 5'10 Guard of Napa Christian HS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's one of the better defenders we saw in this class. He brings good energy and effort on the defensive side of the ball. He has quick hands, and feet, with lateral movement, he hounds the ball handler up the court. He sprints to fill lanes in transition. He has good strength and takes it strong into the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zamani Mashini Nigl 6'4 W/F of Sheldon HS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's mostly in the post area on his high school team. He gives good effort in the post defending taller players. He's strong, moves his feet, and plays with balance. He uses his body and makes it a point to box out. He has a quick jump going after rebounds. He can score around the basket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1530503' first='Zaire' last='King'] 6'2 Guard of Del Ray De La Salle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's an excellent defender, his tenacity is notable as he hounds the ball up court. He's long armed with quick hands, and feet. His lateral movement, and quickness makes it tough for ball handlers, and shooters. He has work to do offensively, but he does handle the contact, while attacking the rim in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1530585' first='Lucas' last='Isaak'] 5'11 SG of San Ramon Valley HS.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Isaak</strong> has a good shot from behind the 3pt line. He does a good job of handling and moving the ball if he doesn't have good looks, but he's most effective when he's looking to put up jumpers. He runs off screens, spots up for catch and shoot 3's, he'll hit 3's coming down in transition. He'll drive it into the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1572990' first='Jacob' last='Wrencher'] 6'5 Point Forward of Milpitas HS.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wrencher</strong> was one of the more versatile players we saw in this class. He handles the ball well in transition, and in the half court, often times setting and running the offense. His handles and body usage gets him into the paint for different finishes. He can hit the outside jumper, he works well along the baseline, and he finishes around the basket. He'll get rebounds, and guard multiple positions. We'll see more of him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1573036' first='Isaiah' last='Dixon'] 6'5 Wood HS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dixon </strong>plays good around the basket, he runs the court good. He has good fundamental skills at 6'5. He can handle and pass in the open court, and create for himself. He's long with good movement and touch off the glass. He has a good mid-range and paint jump shot. He looks like he still has some growing to to do.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1530333' first='Ardarius' last='Gates'] 5'10 guard of Encinal HS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gates</strong> is a good athlete with a strong body to score inside. He handles well enough to play both guard spots. He's good at challenging bigs in the paint from the drive. He has good foot work and speed to defend on ball. He rebounds, pushes and passes up in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1530584' first='Jeremiah' last='Faumuina'] 6'2 CG of Arroyo HS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's long, plays with good enthusiasm on the court. He seems to enjoy being a facilitator. He's always looking to find that open player whether it's a cut to the basket assist or finding a streaking player running up the court he's looking. He can get into the paint, and finish through contact. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1574698' first='Paul' last='Antoine'] 6'1 Guard of Wallenberg HS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a hard playing, ball hawking guard on the defensive side of the ball. He has good speed, and moves laterally. He's a good player to use on traps. He's good in transition, and the open court using his speed and quickness to go by defenders. Contact doesn't bother him at all. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->