San Diego Pre-Season Stock Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The preparation period is slowly ending for basketball players and coaches around San Diego county as the start of the official new season dawns upon us and the last few pre-season games are being played. These contests have shown some players building a lot of momentum and putting themselves on the radar for this upcoming season. Keep an eye on these guys with the potential to have breakout seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kyelin King (2024) | 6-3 G | Lincoln |</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>King showed us glimpses of what he could do last season and has now shone over the summer for the Hornets. King has looked the part of a great two-way player as his physical tools and improved skillset have come together nicely for Lincoln. King has hounded opponents on defense and is becoming a rim protector with some impressive blocks in transition and in help D. He has looked much more comfortable creating scoring opportunities off the dribble and has shown off much-improved shooting showing off his ability, King looks like he is ready to take the next step into being considered one of the best players in the county this season and makes the Hornets favorites to win the City League</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cole Murray (2023) | 6-3 G | Lincoln |</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Murray has been on a tear for the Lancers over the pre-season and looks like he has made the jumps needed in his game to make Carlsbad an Open Division team. Murray has gotten much more aggressive when it comes to scoring the ball and has been looking to create his own looks more often, he's shown off a crafty display of spin moves, pull-ups, and acrobatic layups to score off the rip. This combined with his shooting prowess and defensive tenacity make him one of the best seniors in the county. Murray will form a dangerous backcourt trio along with fellow teammates Hall and Duckett, giving them a good chance at coming out of a stacked Palomar league as the champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1630664' first='Gavin' last='Guinn'] (2025) | 6-2 G | Vista |</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Guinn's transfer to Vista high has turned them into the favorites for D2 as well as put them in the talks as a top 10 team within San Diego county. Guinn is a big guard who has added a scoring punch needed for the Panthers, he has shown off an elite midrange game and will hit tough-contested jumpers. His presence with the ball in his hands has made life much easier for his teammates as he creates open looks for them with no difficulty. He displays a lot of craftiness when attacking the defense which paired with his length and athleticism makes him dangerous, but what's most impressive about him is how Guinn breaks defenders down with his handle and it seems at times players can't stay in front of him. Guinn pushes the Panthers to be league and CIF favorites and looks to continue gelling with his Vista teammates as the regular season rolls around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1502889' first='Chase' last='Newman'] (2024) | 6-5 F | Ramona |</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newman has considerably grown in the off-season, noticeably stronger and taller he has looked the part of a great modern stretch big. Newman has improved his outside shooting and will put up shots in volume with confidence. He does a stellar job of sealing off defenders when in the high and low post allowing him to find cutting teammates and have great positioning for himself as well. Newman has a crafty post bag and is dangerous in the pick-and-roll game. On the defensive end, Newman uses his size and length to be a defensive anchor for the Bulldogs down low jumping passing lanes and contesting shots. Newman and his teammate Norvell form one of the best duos in division 3 CIF and look to make noise both in the playoffs and in league</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jake Henderson (2023) | 6-3 G | Mission Vista |</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Henderson is one of the more under-the-radar players in San Diego and has quietly been a big-impact player for the Timberwolves for a few seasons now. Henderson is a solid ball handler who can break defenders down and finish tough shots, he is also deceptively athletic and will sky in for rebounds and the occasional flush in transition. He is one of the leaders for his Mission Vista squad and it shows with his intensity and scrappiness on both ends of the ball. Henderson has a nice-looking jumper and can't be left open as a shooter and has looked a lot more comfortable with a high workload for the Timberwolves with each game and they look to bounce back from last season with a lot of returners.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->