Cali-Live: 2027 Standouts at Whitney

PH NorCal was at Cali-Live the premiere event in June when high school players play with their teams. Northern California was the host this year. Three gyms in Rocklin CA. Hardwood Palace, Rocklin, and Whitney High School 176 teams. Friday June 26 we spent the first day at Whitney High.    He's seems to have established himself as one of NorCal's up and coming C/PF with his improved post play. He's a strong body, better conditioned playing with a purpose. He's actively defends the paint, moving his feet, working side to side arms extended defending his opponent. He's changing shots, hauling in rebounds, and improved his footwork around the basket for points, and dunks. He's a double double at the high school level.       He's one the top playmaking guards in NorCal. He's proven he can run the point guard position in different ways. He can be a pass first type looking to involve others, feed the big man, getting mates open looks for 3's. He'll break down defenders, go by then kicking it out, He'll get the team in a flow in half-court sets. He seems to know when to get aggressive looking to score. He'll drive hard and strong to the basket, pull up on the dime for jumpers, and knock down 3's.     He's close to the whole package as he'll lead the Monarchs this season. At 6'4 he's taking and making shots at a good percentage. He's a good ball handler, sees the court, uses his dribble to drive the paint or pull up for the mid-range. He's dropping 3's around the perimeter on the catch or sometimes, using a dribble or two.     We expect a breakout season for Desai, could be one of our more underrated prospects in NorCal. Standing 6'3 he's been playing good basketball for a while now. He's consistent, understands the system he's in. He's knocking down shots in a variety of ways. He plays under control, makes good use of his body.     He's in the flow with this group controlling pace, keeping his dribble live roaming the perimeter looking to use his dribble for straight line drives, or weave his way through in a crafty way to get buckets or using his court vision to spot open mates along the perimeter. He'll knock down open 3's.     He's had 4 productive years on the Varsity at this school. He knows the system, has learned to gets things done within the flow of the game. He has big shot capabilities. He has the tools to be a quality point guard at the next level with his handles, court vision, and passing. At this level he can generate buckets from different areas on the court in the crunch. He hits the open 3ptr or can get aggressive going to the basket for points and assists.     The 6'7 Wing/Forwards best days are ahead. He's stronger using his dribble to bump and bang his way to the basket along the baseline and from other areas. He's planting, balancing and powering up off two feet, or taking off for a strong finish maybe a dunk. He'll do some posting up on this team. He's developing a jump hook to finish with either hand hitting hard to block paint jumpers with lift. Consistency will be key.     He's had a productive Spring in club ball, now heading into June with his high school ball. He's actively looking to put points on the board within the flow of the offense. He's an excellent handler, and passer. He gets aggressive using dribble, has a series of moves and footwork to get into the paint to drop his lil fade jumpers, sometimes off the glass with touch that goes in regularly. He'll knock down 3's if left unattended.     He found his rhythm on day 1 at Cali-Live, squaring up from around the perimeter, knocking down open 3's at key stretches of the game. His overall productivity was on display, improved ball handling, vision, ball movement. He's always been a hard working defender that makes you work for it at this level.     He's an experienced playmaking guard as he continues to sharpen his overall productive with this group. He's a point guard, but shows he can operate off ball. His numbers are up as he looks to improve his shot making with more attempts within the flow. He's a strong driver, will challenge blockers, put it high off the glass, deal with the contact. Good intensity on the defensive side of the ball.     Starks is working under the radar. His experience will continue to emerge with this solid group of underclassmen he's surrounded by. He'll have the opportunity to use his handles, and strong body to create his shot opportunities going towards the basket for paint points. He dropped a couple of mid-range jumpers with hand in face on day 1.

PH NorCal was at Cali-Live the premiere event in June when high school players play with their teams. Northern California was the host this year. Three gyms in Rocklin CA. Hardwood Palace, Rocklin, and Whitney High School 176 teams. Friday June 26 we spent the first day at Whitney High.