10 Underclassmen Trending Up

Prep Hoops of NorCal has spent the majority of December in the gym attending showcases, tournaments, and games evaluating players that have helped lift their teams to victory, and played well during this stretch of non-league basketball. While there’s plenty of talented prospects in NorCal. Here’s 10 underclassmen we thought played well while Prep Hoops was in the building. Amari Gray 6’2 G 2023 of California HS Gray has been a key contributor to a team sporting an 8-4 record in the non-league. He’s a bit on the thin side, but is a fast and speedy guard with good handles, a nice crossover move. He’s fearless when he heads to the basket to take on the bigs in the paint. He has a decent pull-up jumper and he has the speed and quickness to hound handlers up the court. Jalai Rencher 6’7 F 2024 of Skyline HS. We’ve seen Rencher a couple of times now. He’s a solid player who’s still developing his post skills, but he’s been a steady contributor who works hard on the court. He’s playing good post defense, going after rebounds, and trying to block shots. He passes well from the post, and takes it up strong on the rebound put back. He has a good up and under, and an improving jump hook. [player_tooltip player_id="1264595" first="Jase" last="Butler"] 6’4 G/F 2024 of Branson HS Butler is showing himself to be a versatile and key contributor to a team that’s 7-2, and won a tournament in the early season. The lefty is bigger and stronger as he continues to be an effective scorer around the basket. At 6’4 he’ll bring the ball up the court, showing he can facilitate, and create form himself and teammates, as well as knock down the 3-point shot. He rebounds, and defends in the post. Trevor Alfstad 6’7 PF 2023 of Granite Bay HS Alfstad is a big body forward who has some paint presence. He’s an improving player with good fundamentals. He uses his body well, and has good patience working to get his points in the paint. He’ll rebound on both ends, defend the other teams big man. He runs the court okay, and sets solid screens for shooters, and passes well from the post. He can be a double-double guy. Joshua Mathew 6’4 SG 2023 of Monte Vista HS. It was our first look at Mathew. He showed some consistency finishing his shots around the basket, whether he was cutting without the ball, or using his dribble. He plays with good balance to finish with floaters and off two feet. He’s a good athlete who jumps well, and was effective working along the baseline. Parker McClaughry 6’3 G 2023 of San Ramon Valley HS McClaughry put together a solid outing in helping his team to a 6-2 overall record. He was good on the defensive end keeping ball handlers out of the paint on or off ball. He got a block. He delivered key buckets throughout the game, and delivered a knockout 3 late in the game to seal the deal. He has to be defended out to the 3-pt line. Joshua Clark 5’7 CG 2023 of Oakland High HS Clark a confident guard at 5’7, he can play on or off the ball. He’s a ball handling guard who can score points off the dribble or set up on the perimeter to knock down 3’s on the catch and shoot. He dropped six 3-Ptrs in an earlier game this season. He along with his mates trap well up top using speed, and quick hands to force turnovers. Seamus Deely 6’4 G/F 2024 of San Ramon Valley HS Deely looks to handle, and push the ball in transition after getting the rebound. He made good decisions and was aggressive looking for his shot opportunities. He’s a solid body who’ll help defend and rebound. He can play through contact. [player_tooltip player_id="1255936" first="Sam" last="Norris"] 6’7 PF 2023 of Sacred Heart Prep HS The left handed Norris is starting to fill his frame a bit. He’s playing on balance and is defending better in the paint. He has the length to effect shots. He did well going up strong for offensive rebounds and put backs for points. At 6’7 and growing he runs the court, and will take the 3 in the corner. Tzahari Trevino 6’4 G 2024 of Valley Christian HS A big guard who can effectively run the offense up top or move over and play off the ball. He’s good in transition making long and strong passes up court or taking it all the way if there’s an opening. He can handle the contact on the drive. At 6’4 he can post up smaller players and will help on the boards.