Compton Magic League: Standouts
Over the past month, I’ve had a chance to check out some of the action at the Compton Magic League in Westminster. The Magic have traditionally done an excellent job bringing together some of the best teams in Southern California…
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Continue ReadingOver the past month, I’ve had a chance to check out some of the action at the Compton Magic League in Westminster. The Magic have traditionally done an excellent job bringing together some of the best teams in Southern California for showcase and tuneup matchups heading into the winter season.
Here are some of the standouts from my stops at The League:
Ethan Kim, 6-1 2024 G, Cypress
Kim is a crafty scoring point guard who is a gifted scorer from three levels. He’s a knockdown shooter off the catch and attacking off of pick and rolls, where he can hit the deep three or attack with one to two dribbles for the pullup. His finishing package is diverse: he can score off of either foot with either hand, which keeps rim protectors off balance.
Marcus Adams, Jr. Marcus Adams, Jr. 6'8" | PF Narbonne | 2023 State CA-S , 6-8 2024 F, Narbonne
Adams has been a force all fall, and one of the more diverse scoring forwards in Southern California. At 6-8, he can handle the ball at the point, attack out of pick and roll, and score from each level efficiently. He’s also strong enough to finish through contact around the basket against elite length.
Tyler Rollison, 5-11 2023 G, St. Bernard
Rollison was virtually unstoppable for almost the entire game in St. Bernard’s win over Narbonne. He attacked the basket relentlessly and finished over Narbonne’s bigger front line, and mixed in some midrange pull-ups and deep threes, although he’s streaky from distance. Rollison is also a solid passer in pick and roll, but in this game, his team needed him to score, and score he did.
Tahj Ariza, 6-6 2026 W, St. Bernard
A long, wiry wing prospect who does most of his damage attacking off the bounce or with spot-up threes from the wings and corners. Great size and bloodlines (his father, NBAer Trevor Ariza, was on hand for the contest), Ariza is one of the top 2026 prospects out West.
Julian Lebel, 6-4 2026 W, Foothills Christian
Lebel led his team to a gritty win over Southeast on Court 2. A solid slasher, passer and catch-and-shoot wing type, Lebel also does a lot of the team’s dirty work on the boards and in the paint on defense, where he uses his length to block shots.
Justice Griffith, 5-10 2026 G, Corona Centennial
Another 2026 prospect who is among the West’s more talented is Griffith, a bulldog of a lead guard who is relentless getting downhill and is an elite finisher in the paint. Physically built like a tailback, Griffith has an explosive first step and the body control and strength to absorb and finish through varsity contact. Defensively, he is equally relentless on the ball.