Updated 2024 Rankings Newcomers I

The PH NorCal 2024 Rankings have been updated, we’ve expanded this class to a total 175 with plenty of prospects on the watch list who can play their way into the rankings the next time around. Here in NorCal we try to see as many new prospects as we can throughout the never ending sport of high school basketball. Here we have our first list of newcomers.

Samir O’Brien Samir O’Brien 6'3" | SG Berkeley | 2024 State CA-N 6’3 SG of Berkeley HS.

O’Brien is a slender high IQ prospect who tries to get his defender off balance when he has the ball. He uses a first move, a jab step, a pump fake, and maybe a crossover to free himself along the perimeter to get his shots. He has good form on his mid-range jumper and can drop 3’s in the corner or in transition. He’s a good passer.

Tallis Toure Tallis Toure 6'8" | C West Park | 2024 State CA-N 6’9 PF of West Park HS.

There aren’t too many raw 2024’s, so we’ll just call him a late bloomer with a good upside. He’s a bit behind with his offensive skill development, but he does have the size and a jump hook that’ll get him points in the paint. He contributes right now with his ability to get rebounds, change, and block shots. He has the square shoulders and some defensive qualities that haven’t come to surface just yet.

Aaiden Burris Aaiden Burris 6'4" | SG St. Bernard | 2024 State CA-N 6’4 SG, of St. Bernard HS.

Burris gives good effort, and likes to compete. When he’s not knocking down 3ptrs from the corners, or hitting one in transition he finds ways to make a contribution, he’s a good court runner in transition, he can handle well enough to lead the break, he has court vision and makes good decisions with the ball. You can’t leave him unguarded behind the 3pt line too often.

Zion Mba Zion Mba 6'2" | SG De Anza | 2024 State CA-N 6’2, SG, of De Anza HS

He’s a shooting guard but he’s capable of running the point. He has good ball handling skills to go along with speed that makes him difficult to guard when he has space to operate or in the transition. He has a quick first step that gets him into the paint, he’s fearless attacking bigs, he gets good lift on his mid-range jumper off the dribble. He can drop a 3ptr in rhythm. He has the speed and quickness to defend on ball.

Joshua Devore Joshua Devore 6'7" | SF Novato | 2024 State CA-N 6’7 Forward of Novato HS.

Devore is a long prospect with a good frame to fill in, if he puts in the weight work. He has improving fundamentals, and is sharpening his ball handling and passing. Standing 6’7 he can play on the perimeter, looking to spot up in the corners for a catch 3 or along the perimeter. He has the length to get a bucket inside, and grab his share of rebounds.

Andrew McDowell Andrew McDowell 6'4" | SG Serra | 2024 State CA-N 6’4 G/F of Serra HS.

McDowell is a hard playing prospect. He has a good set of fundamental skills to work with. He’s an excellent passer, he takes it strong to the basket whether it’s a drive from the perimeter or in transition he gets there, and finishes. He’s good around the basket, and he makes plays in the paint using the jump stop. At 6’4 he’s a rebounding guard and he gives good effort defending his position.

Evan Bautista Evan Bautista 6'2" | SG Dublin | 2024 State CA-N 6’2 Guard of Dublin HS

He’s capable of running the point guard position. He ‘s a willing passer with good vision. He might have to tighten up his ball handling skills a bit, but he can get into the paint, play off two feet, and get bigs to commit. He can knock down the 3pt shot in the corners, and coming down in rhythm for a transition basket.

Josh Neal Josh Neal 6'5" | SF Vanden | 2024 State CA-N 6’6 Wing of Vanden HS

All indications are that Neal is ready to step up his game and be a contributor in some way. He brings a versatile sort of game. He might not stuff the stat sheet with points, but he can generate a bucket. He’s 6’6 can handle a bit, finish in transition, he can work along the perimeter and go inside for points and rebounds. He has good length, and will defend with good effort. He’ll find a way to contribute.