SoCal Spring Preview: Top Performers (Pt. 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>CERRITOS — The Los Angeles Elite club program hosted a small but strong contingent of teams at Cerritos College for its annual SoCal Spring Preview event. We were in attendance Saturday and below are some of the standout performers we watched.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1384449' first='Anthony' last='Moore'] | 2025 | DNA Academy</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moore was the size, length and athleticism that you look for in a wing at the next level. The Northern California-based rising senior flashed his slashing and finishing abilities in transition and half-court offense both as a downhill driver and lane-filler. Moore has a ton of potential as an on-ball defender due to his frame and quick-twitch instincts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Clayton Mpiana | 2025 | Dream Vision 17u</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mpiana is a class of 2024 prospect from Arrowhead Christian Academy who is planning to take a post-grad season. The 6-foot-9 center will be an intriguing addition to the 2025 class as his mobility, coordination and defensive feel as a rim protector are all things that stood out. Mpiana is a raw offensive prospect but does have good hands and touch around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Ethan Johnson | 2024 | Build Your Way</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson is the type of shooter whose release, balance and rotation make you believe every three-point shot he takes is going in. That was pretty much the case Saturday afternoon as Johnson drained perimeter jumpers from every spot and distance imaginable. The fluidity, fundamentals, balance and snap of the wrist that he shoots with allows him to be consistent from multiple spots and ranges.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Gene Roebuck | 2027 | Dream Vision 16u</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roebuck is coming off of a freshman season where he earned a handful of local, regional and national recognition and on Saturday the 6-foot-5 wing made things look easy against opponents that couldn't match his combination of skill, physicality and athleticism. Roebuck is a dribble, pass and shoot prospect whose skill-set and shot-making abilities are advanced for class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1502822' first='Jacob' last='Bayla'] | 2024 | Belmont Shore</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bayla is a polished offensive player whose ability to knock down jumpers from three-point and mid-range areas of the floor will translate to the next level. The 6-foot-4 unsigned senior is a consistent off-catch shooter from behind the arc and can get to a balanced one or two dribble pull-up with great elevation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1451033' first='Jaylen' last='Petty'] | 2025 | Dream Vision 17u</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Petty is a quick and shifty scoring guard who can navigate ball screens and get in the lane where he finishes with a combination of floaters, pull-up jumpers and acrobatic layups. The 5-foot-11 rising senior is also an isolation creator as his ability to change speed and direction allows him to get by or create space from defenders to get an open look at the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->