More and more names kept popping up, and the opinions of old-school cats varied greatly from the younger guys still lacing them up. Back of photo has date 03/21/1934. Catalyst in making the Dons a national program sported 123-14 record and was never mentally beat by anyone. Follow your favorite high school teams and players, Explore and purchase photos of your local teams, See top plays & highlights of the best high school sports, Top 10 Basketball Plays of the Week // Week 2. Baron Davis (Crossroads, Santa Monica) 97 He and Stephen Curry were known as the Splash Brothers for setting an NBA record of combined three-pointers, in 2014. Baron "Too Easy" Davis He led Sequoia to the Tournament of Champions before there was a state tournament in 1967 and went on to play for Cal and the Warriors. The Iceman is not only the states all-time leading scorer, hes top 15 in rebounding and assists. The freshman led a second-half comeback against the eventual state champs and in high school, was already doing battle with pros such as Michael Cooper and Norm Nixon. An Indiana All-Star and Marion County player of the year, Jones helped lead Ben Davis to the basketball state finals as a senior. (Chatsworth, CA), Bishop Montgomery Who was the Coasts best girls basketball player during the 2022-23 season? Talented forward edges out Modesto Christians Chuck Hayes and St. Joes Ray Young as final NorCal player to make the cut. Goodrich, California's Mr. Basketball in 1961, would eventually have his jersey retired by the school. We both saw that 1986 D1 state title team and loved what Stevie could do on the court. Tayshaun Prince (Dominguez, Compton) 98 His basketball IQ was off the charts by the eighth grade everybody knew who he was by then and he could win games without shooting the basketball.. Murray earned McDonald's All-American honors and then went on to star at UCLA , where he was a two-time, first-team All-Pac-10 performer, before embarking on a 12-season NBA career. James Harden (Artesia, Lakewood) 07 A former Drew League MVP, Brunner also won L.A. NBA Summer Pro League honors in '05 and will tell you exactly what his status is as a Cali legend. United States. Eric Saulny Cant speak for Ronnie, but I saw Paul play. High school basketball nears the end of the 2023 season, with many states already crowning champions. O'Bannon won another championship, of the national variety, at UCLA in 1995, when he was the Wooden Award winner and Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Katie Antony is the all-time leading scorer in high school girls basketball history for 5-on-5 basketball (girls used to play 6-on-6). Best shooter of this group was underrated in other areas and earned everything that came his way after early injury scare. 5. Jrue Holiday (Campbell Hall, North Hollywood) 08 Playing for local legend Willie West, Crenshaw went 32-0 during Johnson's final two seasons. Take Bill Russell, who went on to lead USF to consecutive national titles and the Boston Celtics to 11 NBA Championships. Saw him as a junior at Modesto Christian tourney so this is one list he can be on. The legend of "Hook" first grew at Mack, where he teamed up with Antonio Davis in OAL battles with Skyline's Gary Payton and Greg Foster. At Johnson, Hillman was an All-Superior California selection, pumping in 21.1 ppg, but he developed into a valuable defender and shot-blocker in the pros. The problem was Works seemed to care about basketball as much one does a pimple. At the time, Williams was the third player in state history to be named California Mr. Basketball (1983, '84). One of California's all-time late-bloomers, Spillers pumped in 21.3 ppg in his senior season. 34. As a standout power forward for Westchester, Ariza delivered a mix of power and grace on the floor. SportsLine. Shaquille O'Neal named him The Truth.. He was a one-man show, said Dave Newhouse, a longtime Oakland Tribune columnist and Bay Area sportswriter for 47 years. One of the nation's top high school players in a legendary class, Staggers is in a class by himself at Venice Beach. Ricky was considered, but he had a poor senior campaign at Serra. There were times the all-state guard got the best of pros, and he continued to flourish at Moorpark JC and New Mexico State, where he led the nation in assists as a senior. Shop. Editor's Note: L.A. streetball legend James "Arkansas Red" Allen would have been a top five selection in this countdown had he attended a California high school. He later also played for teams such as the Los Angeles Clippers. (Corona, CA), Sierra Canyon David Greenwood (Verbum Dei, Los Angeles) 75 DeShon Brown One of the states smoothest scorers ever, Mills had a NBA-ready game in high school. He still puts in work overseas and when he's ballin' at Venice, HAX, or the Drew League, people know who he is now. These cookies do not store any personal information. He earned his nickname from his good friend and Chaffey College running mate Reggie Cotton because his moves, especially his "Rob K Cross," were so sick (meaning good). Thompson played collegiately at Syracuse, then in the CBA and briefly in the NBA. StubHub. 7. Gilbert WilburnFlintie Ray Williams Ransom never lost that street flair to his game in the Pac-8 and was even offered a contract by the Harlem Globetrotters. Johnson was born in Louisiana, but eventually moved to Los Angeles, where he was the first true superstar at mighty Crenshaw High School. Most would say Marques Johnson is the best player ever from Crenshaw, but neither Ronnie or myself were able to see him play. Despite 5-foot-9, Brunner is one of the most feared and respected streetball players in California. Honors. Forty-eight of Ohios top seniors, including one state champion, three Ms. Basketball finalists and 17 Division I signees highlight the Ohio High School Oh, if it weren't for injury. He loves music and has collaborated with the rapper MC Jin on the single "The First Opponent.". Luke Walton (University, San Diego) 98 Taiwanese-American professional basketball player Jeremy Lin is famous for being the first Asian American to win an NBA championship. James Harden is a basketball player, widely regarded as the best shooting guard in the history of the NBA. David Greenwood should rank much hire on your list as well as Roy Hamilton. (Temecula, CA), Balboa City School He had a great combination of being flashy but controlled while leading the Roadrunners to a state title. Baron Davis (Crossroads, Santa Monica) 97 Most likely candidates include three-time state Player of the Year Derrick Low of 'Iolani or Alika Smith of Kalaheo. Apart from making his presence felt in the NBA, Paul George also played a key role in helping the United States men's national basketball team win Olympic gold in the 2016 Summer Olympics held at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. USA Today also has never been much of a source weve ever agreed that much with and we think our picks over the years have proven to be superior. 1. (Dublin, CA), Archbishop Mitty Wolfe Perry At the 2008 McDonald's All-American game, Holiday posted 14 points, five rebounds and five steals. When it came time for college, Miner traveled just a few blocks east to USC, where he was a three-time, first-team All-Pac-10 performer, the league's player of the year in 1992 and had his No. Guy "The Fly" Williams 16. How much did home with views in one of S.F. Lew Alcindor, Power Memorial, Manhattan, NY. A player receives five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote, and one point for a third-place vote. 21 retired by Dominguez in January 2023. I state title as a sophomore. In 1977, he helped the Portland Trail Blazers win an NBA championship and won another NBA championship in 1986 while playing for the Boston Celtics. He had a quiet 20 and 12 against us.. Silas scored 24 points in his first game as a sophomore and never looked back, averaging 30 points and about half that many rebounds. He also served as head coach at Cal State L.A. and, as of the 2022-23 season, was an assistant coach at Oregon State. Learn more about the author. 1 of 25 Willie Naulls, San Pedro, 1952 UCLA Athletic 4. 2 pick in the first round of that 2001 draft. 11. Luckett holds the state record for non-prep school Adams then averaged 14.0 points on 49.9-percent shooting, 5.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.8 steals in four seasons at Arizona. The whole list is a farce without Marques Johnson anywhere in sight!!! SoCals best all-around player ever. Charles Johnson California has produced a number of Basketball Players who have made it big. He went for 28 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists in the regional title game over archrival Banning. Like Zo, Chandler won a FAB 50 title and his dominant play might be a bit overlooked because Dominguez blew teams away. By Johnson's admission, Lee was the superior talent. In addition, Mills was named California's Mr. Basketball, a two-time Parade All-American (first team in 1988) and a McDonald's All-American. Tayshaun Prince (Dominguez, Compton) 98 Surpassing the production of the aforementioned Marques Johnson at Crenshaw, Williams was a beast as a teen. After failing to make the varsity team as a freshman and sophomore, Pierce quickly blossomed into a prep star during his junior campaign. (Elk Grove, CA), Rancho Christian Jerry "The Assassin" Dupree Demar DeRozan (Compton) 08 Caldwell was the predecessor to Cali's great leapers such as, Darnell Hillman, Joey Johnson and Harold Miner, but his game was complete. No Stais Boseman or Elden Campbell. Follow your favorite high school teams and players, Explore and purchase photos of your local teams, See top plays & highlights of the best high school sports, The Sacramento Bee on Folsom High School's challenge in the CIF State Division II championship game, The Sacramento Bee on what makes the Pleasant Grove girls basketball team's journey to the CIF State Division I title game so historic, The Sacramento Bee on the CIF State Open Division title games, and twocoaches this weekend who tasted mixed championship game moments as players, McDonald's All Americans in the 2014 Sweet 16, High school boys basketball Top 25 composite rankings, McDonald's All Americans state by state numbers, NCAA Tournament 2014: High school teammates who will play with and against each other in Sweet 16, MaxPreps final Southern California Top 25 high school basketball rankings, Northern California boys face daunting task against Southern California. Killum's high school exploits were better known than his playground game, but there's a reason for that. As could all of the players on the second team and the honorable mention list. Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson has won three NBA championships with the team. Web1. Jason Kapono (Artesia, Lakewood) 99 Basketball player LaMelo Ball currently represents the Charlotte Hornets of the NBA. Always talented, he took off at Pac Shores Tourney his junior year and never looked back. The 6-foot-11 Rabb also doesnt get into foul trouble and can make free throws. Its different because its the top 25 of our longtime boys basketball analyst and Southern California grassroots regular Ronnie Flores and also a different top 25 from longtime editor Mark Tennis. Former Berkeley High shooting guard Phil Chenier, Mitty forward Aaron Gordon, McClymonds Paul Silas and Sequoia-Redwood Citys Charles Johnson round out the starting five. Who was the Coasts best girls basketball player during the 2022-23 season? The current record holder, however, is still a mystery. One of the greatest athletes to come out of the San Fernando Valley, Farmar attended Taft High, where he scored more than 2,000 points in just two varsity seasons. Are there better players among Cali's Elite 24?