Mission League Prospect Preview: Underclassmen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even though all of the spring, summer and fall basketball makes it seem like high school hoops' teams are playing year-round, the <em>"real"</em> season - where the games truly count - is right around the corner. To begin our Southern California previews, we're going league-by-league and breaking down the top prospects by position and below we break down the underclassmen ready to take the next step.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3524079"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae5217eb0caa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ray has already established himself as one of the best scoring guard prospects in SoCal's 2029 class and has a chance to boost his stock even further with an enhanced role at Harvard-Westlake this season. The wiry smooth 6-foot-2 guard has an advanced perimeter scoring package with the ability to knock down jumpers both off the catch and off the bounce. Ray is comfortable breaking down defenders with the bounce in isolation and has shown improvements to his passing and playmaking acumen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2571891"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae5217eb0ce2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kone's skill-set evolved tremendously from the end of last season to this fall as he has tightened his handle, became a more consistent shooter off the catch and is more confident attacking the rim off the bounce. Kone, who stands at 6-feet-9, is a versatile defensive presence whose lateral speed and length allows him to guard multiple positions on the perimeter while his vertical athleticism makes him a viable rim protector and rebounder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3531741"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae5217eb0d06"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Majomi-Gorman made the move to Loyola after a strong freshman season at Cathedral where he helped the Phantoms win a league title. The 6-foot-6 wing/forward is a lethal three-point shooting threat in spot-up situations. His combination of a sturdy base, broad shoulders and a long, wiry wingspan lends to his intriguing long-term potential as a prospect and are among the many reasons why he will be a key piece for the Cubs this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3524081"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae5217eb0d27"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thomas saw spot minutes last season as a freshman and, while that time was limited, he showed plenty of flashes of what he can contribute heading into his sophomore season. The 6-foot-6 wing is best as a catch-and-shoot guy from three-point and mid-range areas of the floor and that ability to stretch the floor will be imperative in taking pressure off of his teammates [player_tooltip player_id='2435366' first='Cole' last='Holden'], [player_tooltip player_id='2435370' first='Pierce' last='Thompson'] and the above-mentioned [player_tooltip player_id='3524079' first='Dekoda' last='Ray']. Thomas' impact will be that of a sharpshooting threat in spot-up situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3531730"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae5217eb0d46"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Taylor is trending up as one of the best point guard prospects in SoCal's 2029 class. The 6-foot-1 sophomore, who like Majomi-Gorman mentioned earlier, was at Cathedral his freshman season prior to transferring to Loyola where he will likely assume the starting point guard duties. Taylor has shown tremendous feel for the game as a playmaker for himself and others and his scoring arsenal is very polished for a young prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2767892"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae5217eb0d64"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ebi remains a a raw all around prospect but his combination of positional size and length, coupled with his fluid athleticism, make him a prospect who will play useful minutes this season as he creeps toward his upside. The wiry 6-foot-7 sophomore will make his impact on the defensive end as a rim protector and a player who can switch onto and contain some guards when needed. Offensively, Ebi is best when generating second chance points on the offensive glass or finishing on transition rim runs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3524083"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae5217eb0d81"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Micelli has a skill that will be essential to Notre Dame's quest for a Mission League and potential runs to CIF Southern Section and State titles and that is his spot-up shooting ability. The 6-foot-6 wing is a consistent floor-stretching threat off the catch from multiple spots and distances on the floor. Micelli will likely flip between the three and small-ball four positions where his pick-and-pop effectiveness will be on full display.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3831629"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae5217eb0d9f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shepard impressed us at the Rolling Hills Prep Fall Classic with his dynamic playmaking ability in transition and half-court situations. The 5-foot-11 freshman has lightning quick burst off the bounce, makes quick and decisive reads and flashed a strong balance of knowing when to score and when to distribute. Shepard had some really good moments against Mater Dei that weekend and finished with 11 points, eight steals and five assists in a five-point loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->