Classic at Damien: Gold Div. Wing Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LA VERNE — The ninth annual Classic at Damien is one of the nation's premier post-holiday high school basketball tournaments. The 2025 edition features 144 teams from five states spread across nine divisions and includes many of the country's top prospects. We were in attendance for the three of the four days at Damien High and below are the best wings we watched among Gold Division participants.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Dominick Olanrewaju | 2028 | San Joaquin Memorial</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Olanrewaju is a simple but effective game at the wing position with his ability to slash and score at the rim but also knock down catch-and-shoot three-point shots with consistency. The 6-foot-5, 185-pound sophomore already has a strongly-built frame that allows him to impact the game through contact in the lane and on the defensive end where his physicality stands out as a point of attack defender and on the boards. Olanrewaju had 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists in the game we watched Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1945830' first='EJ' last='Popoola'] | 2027 | Palisades</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The smooth, long and athletic swingman was coming off of an impressive performance the week prior at the Tarkanian Classic and he carried that momentum into Damien. The 6-foot-5 junior glides around the floor prior to making an explosive move to the rim and finishing it off with a quick elevation dunk or pull-up jumper. Popoola has been a fast-rising prospect out west since his transfer to Palisades and will continue to garner Division 1 interest after the versatile 13-point, eight rebound, three assist performance we saw at Damien.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2194700' first='Jeremias' last='Killebrew'] | 2027 | Bakersfield Christian</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Killebrew is a high energy and motor guy on both ends of the floor and the effort he plays with brings major production. The 6-foot-5 junior is best offensively when attacking the rim off the bounce in half-court or transition and uses an effective pro-hop type of move to slide by defenders, avoid contact and score at the rim. Killebrew recorded back-to-back double doubles in his first two games at Damien, including 17 points and 12 rebounds in a loss to Loyola and 12 points and 10 rebounds in a win over [player_tooltip player_id='2763310' first='Rancho' last='Christian']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2436267' first='Omari' last='Cuffe'] | 2027 | Loyola</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cubs had been waiting patiently for Cuffe to become eligible post-transfer because of the versatility he brings to the three-spot. The 6-foot-5 junior is a physical downhill driver to his right and left hands and both a power and explosive finisher when he gets to the rim. Cuffe seeks out contact and generates foul calls and free throws with his ability to close on the rim. He has shown progress with his catch-and-shoot three ball but does need time and space to get his shot off cleanly. Cuffe scored 17 points in a win over Bakersfield Christian and 11 in a quarterfinal loss to eventual champion, Folsom.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2746603' first='Shalen' last='Sheppard'] | 2028 | Crossroads</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sheppard was in his first action with Crossroads after transferring from Brentwood prior to the start of the season and he looked pretty comfortable with his new team. The 6-foot-7 sophomore is one of the most skilled and versatile prospects in California's 2028 class and his dribble, pass, shoot and post skill-set was on full display throughout the tournament. He had 18 points, five rebounds and six assists in his first game and 19 points, five rebounds and three assists in his second game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2534808' first='Van' last='Moczydlowsky'] | 2028 | Crossroads</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moczydlowsky has continued to elevate his production as the season has gone on and the smooth left handed wing is most effective in spot up situations from behind-the-arc. The 6-foot-3 sophomore had 19 points on 3-for-6 from three and added seven rebounds in his first game of the tournament and followed that up with 16 points on 2-for-5 from three and six assists in a win over California High.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->