California Live: Under-the-Radar (Pt. 1)
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IRVINE — Southern California played host to more than 160 boys high school basketball programs over the weekend for the inaugural California Live scholastic event. Those teams were given the opportunity to play in front of more than 190 college…
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Continue ReadingIRVINE — Southern California played host to more than 160 boys high school basketball programs over the weekend for the inaugural California Live scholastic event. Those teams were given the opportunity to play in front of more than 190 college coaches over the course of three days. I spent most of my time watching games at the Irvine and Tustin High sites and below are players I saw who are flying under-the-radar and deserve some more recognition.
Abram Potts, San Joaquin Memorial
The part of Potts’ game that immediately jumps out at you is his ability to shoot the three-ball. He has deep and consistent range, a quick trigger and great balance through his release. The 6-foot-1 guard showed that he’s more than just a shooter, however, as he has made strides with his ball skills and creating off the dribble for teammates. The rising junior is one to keep a close eye on in the Central Section.
Amani Johnson Amani Johnson 6'3" | CG Salesian Prep | 2024 State CA-N , Salesian
Johnson is what I like to call a “make things happen” guy. The 6-foot-3 rising senior doesn’t dominate the ball on offense but his timely cuts, willingness to run the floor in transition and ability to finish through or around contact at the rim makes him an effective scorer on the break. Johnson flashed his multi-positional defensive capabilities and rebounding prowess on both ends of the floor in helping Salesian win the SoCal Chevy bracket over Harvard-Westlake.
Bentley Waller, Bakersfield Christian
Waller has battled a couple of injuries over the last couple of seasons but his performance over the California Live weekend gave us a glimpse of the type of prospect he can be. At 6-feet-4, the senior-to-be has tremendous feel for the game off the bounce and uses a quick crossover and first step to gain an advantage on a defender and get into the lane. Waller can knock down perimeter jumpers and has a long, wiry frame that should be intriguing to next-level suitors.
Bishop Brooks Bishop Brooks 6'4" | SF Taft | 2024 State CA-S , Taft
Brooks is going to be the go-to guy for Taft this season and his 19 points per game average at California Live was good for fifth-best in the SoCal Chevy bracket. The physical and athletic 6-foot-4 wing has touch and consistency from three-point and mid-range areas and is strong driver and finisher at the rim. Brooks should be among the top scorers in the City Section next season.
Christian Horry Christian Horry 6'4" | SF Harvard-Westlake | 2024 State CA-S , Harvard-Westlake
Horry doesn’t get enough credit for his contributions to the Wolverines’ winning ways. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard/wing is the ultimate two-way glue guy who knocks down open and timely three-point shots, will take on the assignment of guarding the opponent’s best perimeter players and seems to not mind not always being in the spotlight like many of his teammates.
IRVINE — Southern California played host to more than 160 boys high school basketball programs over the weekend for the inaugural California Live scholastic event. Those teams were given the opportunity to play in front of more than 190 college coaches over the course of three days. I spent most of my time watching games at the Irvine and Tustin High sites and below are players I saw who boosted their stock in front of two and four-y