2025 Rankings Update: Guard Additions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Earlier this week we published our latest update to the 2025 rankings in Southern California. There were 15 names added to these rankings, 10 of which from the guard position. Below we take a closer look why these prospects were included in this rankings update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2404084' first='Da'Vian' last='Brooks'] | Knight (Palmdale)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We most recently saw Brooks put on quite the offensive performance at the Pangos All-American Preview against other talented players from across the country. The 6-foot-3 point guard checks in at No. 35 in this update and his combination of feel off the dribble, jump shooting consistency and ability to get paint touches to score or distribute are the reasons why.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2404086' first='Donald' last='Thompson'] | King/Drew</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thompson was honored as a Co-Player of the Year in the Los Angeles City Section Open Division as he led the Golden Eagles to the City Open Division championship while stuffing the stat sheet. Thompson, a 6-foot point guard, showed three-level scoring ability, a quick burst of speed, creativity off the dribble and a high basketball IQ when creating for teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2404088' first='Barak' last='Simon'] | Marina</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simon had a breakout season while leading Huntington Beach Marina to its first-ever CIF Southern Section championship. The 5-foot-11 junior was named Division 2A Player of the Year while filling up the scoring column. Simon showed deep and consistent range on catch and shoot and off-dribble threes and finished around the rim with craftiness to make up for his lack of size.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2404090' first='Kamari' last='King'] | Cleveland</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>King was a really tough cover in the open court for opposing City Section teams. His combination of quick burst and speed with the ball in his hands allowed him to get downhill and into the lane where he put pressure on the defense with his ability to finish at the basket. King was a First-Team All-City Section selection after leading the Cavaliers to 20 wins while averaging 13 points and 3.5 assists per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2404091' first='Grayson' last='Sinek'] | La Habra</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sinek had a season to remember for the Highlanders as the 6-foot-4 shooting guard led his team to a school-record 30 wins, a CIF Southern Section Division 3AA championship, an undefeated Freeway League title and he earned Player of the Year honors in 3AA. Sinek is a rangy prospect who can really fill it up from behind the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2404092' first='Ace' last='Arnold'] | Royal</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arnold was one of the more dangerous scorers and three-point shooters we had in the region. At 6-feet-2, the junior knocked down 83 of his 259 three-point field goal attempts and averaged 20.6 points per game on the season, earning him First-Team honors in CIF Southern Section Division 4AA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2404093' first='Lincoln' last='Dean'] | Cabrillo</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dean was the catalyst to the historic season that Cabrillo put together. The 5-foot-11 guard used his speed, craftiness in transition and ability to score from multiple areas of the floor to lead the Jaguars to their first playoff win in program history. Dean was an All-Moore League First-Team selection and had multiple 25-point-plus scoring efforts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2404094' first='Aaron' last='Desantiago'] | Fountain Valley</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot combo guard is one of the more crafty scorers in all of Orange County. His quick burst first-step allows him to gain an advantage over defenders and helps him get to the mid-range area where he excels as a pull-up jump shooter or to the rim where he can score with craftiness around the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2404095' first='Christian' last='Howlin'] | La Habra</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Howlin's ability to stretch the floor with catch and shoot three's and attack closeouts for straight-line drive finishes were crucial in the Highlanders' Freeway League and CIF Southern Section Division 3AA championships. Howlin was also a versatile defender who rebounded out of his area and spent time guarding bigger players on that end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2404098' first='Miles' last='Anderson'] | San Ysidro</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a tough year overall for the Cougars which had a new coach and basically a full new team to go along with that but Anderson had some standout performances en route to his 15.3 points per game average. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->