Potpourri, Jun 1

News Bits

This is our last post of the season. We'll start back up in November, possibly October. We'll likely post some player 'signing' articles between now and then. KM

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"The NAACP’s boycott call is a wake-up moment for the American Black athlete" Howard Bryant

and

"Hit Them Where It Hurts   Asking Black athletes to sacrifice for the greater good could reshape college sports and national politics alike. But it won’t be so easy." - Jemele Hill

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San Francisco Men's Basketball: "Congratulations to our guy Aidan on graduating summa cum laude with a BSBA in finance. Proud to call you a Don!"

Aidan Braccia is also a graduate of Sacred Heart Prep and attended Belmont University (TN) prior to USF. What an academic achievement!

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Modesto Junior College Men's Basketball: "Congrats to sophomore Daniel Huerta on his commitment to Division II Menlo College (PacWest). Daniel earned First Team All–Big 8 honors this season. Wishing you the best moving forward, Daniel!"

Huerta is 6-foot-5, 180 and also out of St. Mary's High in Stockton.

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TJ Filkins: "Next chapter!! Great day with Feather River College Coach Derek Jensen. Blessed to say I have committed to Feather River College."

Filkins is a 6-foot-5 swingman out of Franklin High.

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Sam Lancr: "Tulane transfer Scotty Middleton has committed to San Jose State, he told TheFieldOf68. Averaged 6.9 points and 4.0 rebounds for the Green Wave last season."

In 33 games at 6-foot-6, 195, he made 19 starts, shot 37% from three-point range overall, 41% in conference play. Middleton began at Ohio State, then Seton Hall and Tulane. He did block 26 shots.

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West Valley College Men's Basketball: "Let’s welcome Angelina College (D1 NJCAA) 6’10 Cheikh Diebakhate to WV! Cheikh will give WV an immediate boost in the Front court, coming off a freshman campaign where he averaged over 3 points & 3 rebounds per game. Having all the tools, Cheikh is poised for a big year!"

He shot 49% overall and blocked 18 shots, playing 8.1 minutes a contest. Diebakhate weighs 235 pounds.

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Jaylan Virgil: "New chapter. Excited to announce that I’ll be attending Coronado High School (Las Vegas) for my senior season. Grateful for everyone who helped me get to this point. Ready to work, compete, and prove myself every day."

A 6-foot-1 point out of Laguna Creek High plus high school in San Diego, his 6-foot-6 brother Ty attended Sheldon High before moving on to a couple of prep schools in Arizona prior to entering the college ranks.

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"Andrej Stojakovic’s silence is becoming deafening for Illinois basketball"

The NBA draft deadline has passed and Stojakovic is returning to Illinois.

Andrej Stojakovic announced on Twitter that he will take his name out of the draft pool and return to Illinois for his senior season. Stojakovic said at the combine that he had “both feet in” regarding the draft process, but he also never gave up on the idea of staying in school and helping the Illini return to the Final Four in 2027, Colleen Kane of The Chicago Tribune writes in a subscriber-only piece.

“That’s the goal — go back to the Final Four and then strive for a national championship,” Stojakovic said during combine week. “Understanding what we have back at Illinois is extremely special, I’ve just got to make the right decision.”

Another year in college could improve Stojakovic’s draft prospects, Kane adds. The 6’7″ guard averaged 13.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists in his first season at Illinois after transferring from California, but while he shot 50% from the field he only connected at 24.4% from beyond the arc. He was projected to go 50th in ESPN’s latest mock draft, and Kane states that he’ll have to expand his scoring range if he hopes to receive first-round consideration next year.

“Another year of proving what I can do, coming back even more ready next year if I do decide to go to school,” Stojakovic said during the combine. “One thing I showed this year is being able to adjust my role and make an impact when I’m not having the ball constantly like I’m used to it.”

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In this NBA draft preview, two Bay Area college talents go back to back:

"19. Toronto Raptors. Ebuka Okorie, PG, Stanford. Playing for the Cardinal meant that Okorie has been largely overlooked, but he is a candidate to rise up some boards in the coming weeks. The 6-foot-8 wingspan he registered at the combine will help.  He averaged 23.2 points in the ACC last year, though there are questions about how his game translates to the NBA. The Raptors need backcourt depth and if they keep this pick, expect them to look at point guards."

Okorie is in the draft.

and

"20. San Antonio Spurs (from Atlanta Hawks). Allen Graves, PF, Santa Clara. The Spurs are an obviously well-built bunch, but would like to add young frontcourt depth. Graves is a late climber who is a candidate to go back to college. But he is the kind of do-it-all contributor that the analytics folks will love, and a glue-type guy for an organization that knows how to use them. Scout: “If he comes out, he is probably going to move up, because he is so efficient, he makes winning plays, he is young and he got better as the year went on. Get him in workouts and interviews and he is the kind of kid someone is going to fall in love with."

and

Jonathan Givony: "NEWS: Santa Clara's Allen Graves is staying in the 2026 NBA Draft, he tells DraftExpress. Graves, a projected top-20 pick, swept WCC Freshman, Sixth Man and Defensive Player of the Year honors, turning down significant NIL offers to start his pro career."

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"Maxime Raynaud Named to 2025-26 NBA All-Rookie Second Team"

The former Stanford big enjoyed a successful initial season.

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"New NCAA Eligibility Requirements Could Impact Top International Players The guidance issued this month largely surrounds compensation and professional team involvement, but how it will be enforced is unclear."

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"Inside Adam Olsen's rise to Auburn: 1,000 emails, the band, trailblazing and a chip on the shoulder"

"...By the end of his recruiting process, he estimates that he sent nearly 1,000 total emails. Not a single one of those emails got a response..."

Very good read.

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Simply Basketball: "Amare Chandler (2028) has received an offer from Virginia Tech."

Chandler is 6-foot-5, 180 and attending Livermore High. He is the son of former Newark Memorial High and San Jose State University player Marquin Chandler.

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Simple Basketball: "Parks Weaver (2028) has received an offer from High Point after an impressive 3SSB session."

The 6-foot-4 Weaver attends Folsom High and plays AAU ball with Team Lillard. California offered in November 2025.

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Marc J. Spears: "The Bulls have received permission to interview Cavaliers associate head coach Johnnie Bryant for their head coach job, a source said. The former University of Utah guard has 12 years of NBA assistant coaching experience and has also been an associate head coach with the Knicks."

Bryant is Oakland born and out of City College San Francisco.

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College of the Sequoias Men's Basketball: "Please welcome Matthew Wright to the GIANTS family! Matt played for one of the top programs in Northern California, Vanden HS. Strong, physical, and athletic, Matt will impact the game on both ends of the floor. Bright future ahead. Got a good one coming to the 559!"

Wright is a 6-foot-8 power forward.

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Modesto Junior College Men's Basketball: "Congrats to sophomore Prince Oseya on his commitment to Division II Biola University (PacWest). We appreciate all the sacrifices you made for the program and wish you nothing but the best moving forward, Prince!"

The 6-foot-10, 230 sophomore averaged 11.0 points plus 8.6 rebounds a game this past season.

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Mike Reynoso: "Super proud of this young man. On to the next. That’s another Owl on the move. Nothing promised…everything earned. Being promised things seems like what most these guys want now-a-days. But the ones that want to work, that’s what we do."

Will Ambidge is a 6-foot-7, 200 sophomore out of San Ramon High.

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"The shocking cost of youth sports in New Jersey"

"New investigation reveals a predatory industry leaving parents broke, exhausted and wondering how the games of their childhood took over their adult lives."

Tony Soprano needs to step in and fix it. But come to think of it, he might be causing the problems.

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CCCMBCA: "Shasta coach Kele Fitzhugh announces his retirement. Congrats coach, enjoy your retirement years!!"

Here is Fitzhugh's Shasta College bio.

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"SAC STATE SIGNS GREEK NATIONAL TEAM MEMBER GIANNIS ASIMAKOPOULOS"

He's a 6-foot-9, 220 sophomore out the the JC ranks.

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Brayden Harris: "I'm excited to announce my commitment to Fresno Pacific! I am grateful for this next chapter and want to thank Coach Orlich for the last four years and for developing me into the player I am today."

Harris stands 6-foot-9,carries 210 pounds and is finishing up/graduated from Buchanan High in Fresno. He sports a 4.0 grade point average.

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Coach Guido / Windmills Recruitment: "𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐃 | Quincy Jeremiah ➡️ City College of San Francisco! Wishing Quincy all the best with the next step!"

Jeremiah is a 6-foot-7 lefty high school senior in The Netherlands with demonstrated scoring and physical boarding prowess.

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Potpourri, May 25

News Bits

"Why Steve Kerr stayed with the Warriors"

Wright Thompson should be named Write Thompson. This is the finest feature on a basketball figure I've read in many years.

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"ROBERT VAIHOLA REJOINS SPARTANS FOR 2026-27"

The Spartans don't necessarily have a traditional center on the squad but the three power forwards now on the roster guarantee better scoring, rebounding and we'll see about defense upfront. Good to see that the Archbishop Riordan grad will finish out his college career in the Bay Area.

and

"The cost of keeping up — a $4 millon commitment is the first real answer for SJSU basketball"

Vic Aquino with an exceptionally well-written article.

and

"Besides the $4M, why does Miles’ new-look Spartans suddenly feel different?"

Aquino strikes again.

and

Brayden Barrett: "Blessed to say I’ve committed to San Jose State University!!"

Barrett is a 6-foot-5 shooting guard out of Arizona who shot 50% from three-point range this season.

Here is a September 2025 feature.

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Team Arsenal: "Congrats to Jaden Tengan on his commitment to Long Beach State University."

The 6-foot-1 senior-to-be started out at Kennedy High in Sacramento before heading to the Southland and finishing high school. He is transferring from Cal State Monterey Bay where he averaged 17.3 points per game this past season alongside 63 assists in 29 games.

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Kaia Berridge: "Back to the West Coast."

A Kiwi out of New Zealand, Archbishop Riordan and University of Evansville, he's a 6-foot-4 guard who played little this past season but 45 of his 58 shot attempts were treys so position him as a two guard with long distance range.

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Central Washington University: "Excited to announce the signing of King-Njhsanni Wilhite to @CWU_MBB! King played this past season at Lamar University. He is originally from Cali where he won an open division championship with Archbishop Riordan and the CCCAA Championship with San Francisco City College."

He's a 6-foot-1 guard with a year of remaining eligibility. At Lamar this past season, he made 16 starts, played 21.1 miniutes a game and posted a 72/30 assist-to-turnover ratio.

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"San Francisco transfer forward Veniamin Abosi will transfer to UC Davis for the 26-27 season. The 6-6 225 sophomore from Greece averaged 5.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game this season while shooting 40.2% from 3. Versatile defender with a high motor and some playmaking chops."

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Sam Kayser: "NEWS: 2026 4⭐️ Chidi Nwigwe has committed to Mike Bibby and Sacramento State, he told LeagueRDY. Nwigwe is a 6-foot-7 wing out of WATigersBB who can score the ball, defend and make plays for his teammates. Fantastic addition for Sac State."

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Deundrae Perteete Jr.: "Locked in. Focused. Ready. Let’s run it back, UCR."

He's a 6-foot-5 junior out of Salesian Prep who entered the transfer portal but has returned to UC Riverside.

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Lakeshow 3SSB: "@Jp_oka10 EARLY 3SSBCircuit STATEMENT!

Besides playing for Lakeshow in the AAU ranks, the 6-foot-9 freshman Oka attends Brave Christian High in Dublin as a 2029 prospect.

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Verbal Commits: "2029 Monterey Trail (CA) G Juleeyan Williams has received an offer from UCLA."

and

Verbal Commits: "2029 Monterey Trail (CA) G Juleeyan Williams has received an offer from Fresno State."

and

Verbal Commits: "2029 Monterey Trail (CA) G Juleeyan Williams has received an offer from Minnesota."

With many, many more to follow for the 6-foot-4 point.

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Coach Jovan Joe: "Another Eagle leaving the nest!"

NWOK State has a new head coach with the 6-foot-2 Lemoore College freshman Jenkins as his initial recruit.

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Simply Basketball: "Emanuel Ahamefule (2027) has received an offer from Virginia Tech."

A 6-foot-9 Londoner, he attends Archbishop Riordan.

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West Valley College Men's Basketball: "We want to Congratulate CJ Willenborg on being our 5th Sophomore to sign Division 2 & his commitment to Colorado Mesa University! CJ had a great 2 years at WV, making All Freshman, 1st Team All Conference & 1st Team All State, leading WV to the Elite 8 in both years!"

Willenborg is out of Capital Christian High.

and

West Valley College Men's Basketball: "Let’s welcome Angelina College (NJCAA D1) 6’5 Guard Jaden Spears to WV! Jaden comes to WV after a freshman year in Region 14 where he averaged 5ppg on 45% FG, & 39% 3PT. Jaden returns to California, where he was an All league Player for Sheldon HS in Sacramento."

and

West Valley College Men's Basketball: "Let’s welcome Menlo Atherton 6’4 Combo Guard Jerry Williams to WV! Jerry averaged 16.1 points per game on 51% FG along with 5apg & 5rpg as a senior, making All conference first team and winning conference MVP."

and

West Valley College Men's Basketball: "Let’s welcome West Nottingham Academy 6’7 Forward, Joseph Spencer to WV! Weighing 230 pounds, Joseph uses his strong frame to dominate inside, averaging 10.2 points & 10.5 rebounds per game as a senior this past season! Joseph comes to us from Baltimore, Maryland."

and

West Valley College Men's Basketball: "Let’s welcome Parkrose HS 6’1 PG Adrian “Fuzzy” Montague! Fuzzy was rated an 3 star guard by ESPN during his junior year. As a senior at Parkrose he averaged 20.8ppg, 5.8rpg, & 6.2apg on his way to being named Oregon 5A Player of the Year and winning a state championship."

and

West Valley College Men's Basketball: "wvc mbb let’s rock"

Swinn is a 6-foot-5 shooting guard out of Las Vegas.

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AMHS Mens Basketball: "Congrats to Nick Gklaros-Stavropoulos on receiving an offer to play basketball at Columbia University. Excited to watch him compete in his senior season."

He's a 7-foot, 235 pound center. Here's a feature.

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Verbal Commits: "Georgia, Stanford and Washington offered 2028 Crossroads (CA) F Evan Willis."

He stands 6-foot-8 and already has nine offers from primarily solid or higher hoops programs.

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Sam Kayser: "2026 4⭐ Gabe Sularski has committed to Cal, he told LeagueRDY. The 6-foot-6 guard out of Lisle, Illinois played his senior season at Layton Christian Academy (UT) and was one of the top available uncommitted prospects."

and

Verbal Commits: "2028 W.J. Keenan (SC) G Antoine Caughman, Jr. has received an offer from California."

He's a a 6-foot-6 combo guard with a 3.9 grade point average.

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Sam Federman: "UC Riverside transfer G Tyler Jones recently took an official visit to UAlbany, per his reps nilsonsports. The 6-foot-2 redshirt freshman played in 30 games, starting 5. Averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.3 rpg."

Jones is out of Archbishop Riordan.

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Verbal Commits: "San Francisco and St. Thomas offered 2026 Contra Costa College (CA) G Julius Wade. Qualifier."

and

Team Arsenal: "Congrats to Julius Wade on his commitment to University of St. Thomas."

The 6-foot-6,175 Wade is a freshman out of American Canyon High. He earned All Bay Valley Conference status for his production this season.

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Lakeshow 3SSB: "Siinceere Hudson 2027 Modesto Christian basketball OFFERS: Idaho State, UIC, Santa Clara, Texas Tech, UC Riverside."

Texas Tech is a fairly new offer and, combined with Santa Clara, gives the 6-foot-1 guard two programs that played in the 2026 Big Dance to consider.

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Lakeshow 3SSB: "Congratulations 2027 Brandon Hahn on his Air Force offer!"

He stands 6-foot-7 and attends Granada High.

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College of San Mateo Men's Basketball: "Congratulations to Marcus Collins on his commitment to Bellevue University! The 6’2 PG from Cal High led the team in assists, while shooting 48% from the field, 40% from three, and 84% from the charity stripe."

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Maddox Malm: "Blessed & excited to announce my commitment to Lewis and Clark! Thank you Coach Cory for believing in my vision, Infinite101 for all the investment, my Mom & Dad for the endless support, and Joey Hewitt for being there through it all. Love y’all — Let’s go River Otters!"

Malm is a 6-foot-6, 200 wing finishing up at Acalanes High.

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Coach Guido / Windmills Recruitment: "𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐃 | Moïse Malengele ➡️ City College of San Francisco!"

Malengele measures out at 6-foot-8, 220 pounds and comes from The Netherlands.

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