Hursh Mehta Heading to NYC

6-foot-6 Hursh Mehta of Archbishop Mitty accepted a different role when joining a stellar high school team and came through for his squad a number of times when the Monarchs needed a boost and now he is headed to Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, home of 4,000 undergraduates.

PI Coach David Danzig was in southern California attending a basketball tournament for recruiting purposes last summer, witnessed Mehta playing and liked what he saw. The two connected with Danzig and Mehta staying in touch. In yet another hoops episode of "It's A Small World," Danzig and Mitty Head Coach Tim Kennedy know of each other which aided the recruiting process. Danzig moved quickly, offering Mehta in July. The Mitty Monarch visited in mid-October and "liked Pratt a lot." He accepted the offer on April 12.

Mehta's positioning and tangibles

"For Pratt, I'll be a stretch four and a wing who can shoot and also attack off the dribble," Mehta explained. With Mitty, he is primarily a post "with good footwork who can shoot and see cutters really well."

Academically, Mehta sports a 3.9 grade point average including honors courses alongside a 34 ACT score. His major will be Critical and Visual Studies which Mehta said translated to "communications and design."

Mehta (center) with his teammates and Coach Tim Kennedy on the left

Mehta sees himself as a team leader, fulfilling that role early in his AAU participation with his West Valley Basketball program. On his 12-2 (league), 18-6 (overall) Mitty team, "my leadership role changed, being non-traditional because I worked on team chemistry off the court."

His best basketball moment occurred this past season  "when my minutes were off and on. But I started playing more when some guys were hurt." In the Torrey Pines tournament during early December, Mehta played the whole fourth quarter and close to the end, "I hit two free throws to ice the game." Was he nervous? "No, I've shot thousands of free throws in practice." Plus, "my favorite cousin from Arkansas was in attendance at that game."

So why basketball and not another sport?

"I was huge when I was growing up and just fell in love with it. I thought the competition was great."

Regarding what he will be focusing on this summer, Mehta said, "I'll be working on improving my athleticism to better stay in front of guys." Come winter, his goal is "to make an immediate impact."

Thanks to

Mehta offered thanks to multiple individuals for their assistance in his hoops journey. "I want to thank my Mom for helping me get to so many games and practices and thank my little brother and my cousin." Plus, "West Valley Coach Alec Vucinich who has worked with me since my freshman year, (Mitty Coach) TK (Tim Kennedy), and all my teammates."

Potpourri, Apr 29

News Bits

Joe Tipton: "NEWS: Stanford transfer Andrej Stojakovic has committed to Cal, a source tells On3sports. The former McDonald’s All-American also considered Kentucky and North Carolina."

You can't take the NorCal out of some players and good for us.

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Joe Tipton: "NEWS: Air Force transfer forward Rytis Petraitis has committed to Cal, source tells On3sports. The 6-7 sophomore averaged 15.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game this season. Also considered Texas. Petraitis becomes the 7th portal commitment to Mark Madsen this offseason."

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Jonathan Givony: "NEWS: Jaylen Wells will enter the transfer portal, Aman Dhesi of PNW Sports Group told ESPN. The 6'8 wing hit 42% of his 3-pointers for Washington State, earning All-Pac-12 honors. Late-blooming former D2 transfer might be the best NBA prospect in the portal."

This seemed inevitable considering the wholesale changes in staff and roster at WSU. I want him to go to UCLA because that will generate the greatest press for him--a former D2 player to the Bruins!

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Cole Kastner: "StanfordMBB ‘25 Very grateful for the past 4 years at UVA and really excited to get back to hoops. Go Card."

The 6-foot-7, 215 Kastner has been a long time lacrosse ace for Virginia but played that and basketball in high school at The Menlo School.

"VIRGINIA'S COLE KASTNER TO PLAY BASKETBALL AT STANFORD NEXT YEAR"

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"Illinois forward Coleman Hawkins talks NBA Draft Decision"

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Verbal Commits: "Former Stanislaus State (DII) G John Wade III is transferring to Southern Miss."

Wade is out of American Canyon High and Contra Costa College. He was also previously at Cal State Northridge so it's back to D1 for him.

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John Bynum Jr.: "Dominic Perasso (San Joaquin Delta) has committed to Pacific Lutheran University. Perasso averaged 13.7 points and 6.0 rebounds last season for the Mustangs."

Perasso stands 6-foot-6 while Pacific Lutheran is located in Washington. 

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Dayton Magana: "Committed linfield mbb"

Magana is 5-foot-7, extremely productive (18.7 points, 3.7 assists and 3.4 rebounds last season) and out of Central Catholic High. Linfield College is in Oregon.

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Modesto Junior College Basketball: "Excited to welcome 6’10 F/C Prince Oseya to the Pirate family. Prince is a transfer from Division 2 University of Mary."

It looks like Oseya redshirted last season.

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Washington State Men's Basketball: "Introducing assistant coach Jerry Brown! Coach Brown joins the Cougs from EWU with extensive experience in west coast basketball."

New Head Coach David Riley is bringing in one of his assistants from Eastern Washington. Brown is out of Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep.

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Sidelines - Stanford: "Monmouth transfer G Nikita Konstantynovskyi has been contacted by Stanford! Konstantynovskyi averaged 9.3 PTS, 8.1 REB, and 0.9 AST last season for the Hawks."

He stands 6-foot-10 and weighs 215 pounds.

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Jeff Goodman: "UC Irvine transfer Derin Saran took a visit to Stanford last week, and the other programs on his short list include Cal, Northwestern, Georgia, and Marquette, source told

@thefieldof68. The freshman guard averaged 10.1 points and 3.4 rebounds in 19 minutes of play this past season."

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Verbal Commits D2: "2024 Sauk Valley CC (IL) G Jaden Clarke has received an offer from Academy of Art."

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"Gary Payton out as head coach at little-known California college."

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365 Recruits: "UTampa (D2) transfer Jesse White tells us he has heard from the following schools:

NW Missouri St, Rollins, Fresno Pacific, Converse, Lynn, West Alabama, Menlo College, + several more.

6’1 grad transfer with 1 year of eligibility. Averaged 11 PPG, 2.5 RPG, & 2 APG."

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Brandon Gibson Jr. Chooses Fresno Pacific

23.8 points per game (high of 51), 7.2 rebounds a contest. 4.2 assists an outing. Plus the best motor in northern California. He made fourth team all state for MaxPreps. He earned The Sac - Joaquin Co-Player of the Year honor. The Sacramento Bee named him Player of the Year. West Coast Preps’ chose him as Northern California Boys Athlete of the Year. He also won Metro League Player of Year as well.

Monterey Trail High talent Brandon Gibson Jr. earned all these honors through the hard work of off-season multiple (3) daily practices while rising at 5:00 a.m., pushing himself harder than anyone else could. It has paid off handsomely.

What didn't Gibson do this season?

"Brandon deserves every accolade he has received and the honor of leading us to a school best record," said Robert Fields, the head coach of Monterey Trail High. "He's a tough, no-nonsense competitor who doesn't take plays off and is willing to do anything to win. Any close game we were in, I was confident as a coach because we had #5 on our team. I'm beyond proud of his commitment to FPU, he will excel there."

Gibson Jr. with a goal

It began with a goal. "In elementary school, I was thinking I could be one of those guys who gets a (college) scholarship," he recalled.

Now he has determined his college. He will be a freshman at Fresno Pacific University, a member of the D2 PacWest Conference. Dominican University and Academy of Art are NorCal conference schools FPU will match up against with the remaining opponents in southern California, plus three schools in Hawai'i. At least one trip to the islands is a nice bonus.

"I chose Fresno Pacific because the coaching staff believed in me and how they recruited me -- keeping it real. They even brought my family down on a visit." FPU began recruiting Gibson Jr. in July 2023 and never paused or ghosted him as others did. Plus, my family can come to more games and it won't require driving to Los Angeles."

Gibson earned Sac Bee Player of the Year

He'll be a guard or a wing at 6-foot-5. "They already have a point and want me to score for them."

Under a sports management umbrella, he'll major in kinesiology. His reasoning? "I got hurt as a sophomore and want to know what to do if I get hurt again."

Gibson Jr. expects to be part of summer workouts at Fresno Pacific. Additionally, "I believe I'll also be in summer classes."

Gibson Jr. eyeballing opponents

His short term goals for next season are "making the conference tournament, winning the PacWest Conference and being the Freshman of the Year."

So new obstacles are on the horizon. A competition for playing time. Hopefully earning and retaining a starting spot. Gibson Jr. will just keep on working, slaying whatever is impeding him from achieving his latest goal, just like he always does.

Potpourri, Apr 26

News Bits

Team Rampage Basketball: "Congrats to our own Brandon Bracy on accepting an assistant role at 

@SJDCBasketball!!"

Good for him! His efforts have improved Bay Area basketballers for some time now. Delta got a good one.

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Verbal Commits: "Former Vanderbilt 6-foot-6 G Jason Rivera-Torres is transferring to San Francisco." Full Article

He will be a sophomore next season.

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Zion Sensley has departed from St. Mary's before he even arrived. The chatter is that he will join Assistant Coach Justin Joyner at Michigan. That's one of the reasons given for Aidan Mahaney's leaving with NIL $$$ also a factor.

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"Report: St. Mary's transfer guard Aidan Mahaney amidst visits to Creighton, Virginia, Kentucky, UConn"

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Joe Tipton: "Oregon State transfer guard Jordan Pope has committed to Texas, he tells On3sports. The 6-2 sophomore averaged 17.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game this season."

Pope is out of Freedom High and Prolific Prep. Oregon State will again be below .500 next season and Pope deserves the chance to play for a successful team.

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Jeff Borzello: "Stetson transfer Jalen Blackmon is down to five schools, sources told ESPN.

• Miami
• BYU
• Northwestern
• Cal
• Villanova

Ranked 10th nationally in scoring at 21.3 PPG, scored 43 points in ASUN title game to advance to the NCAA tournament. One of the best shooters in the portal.

He would be a great get for the Bears.

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Jon Rothstein: "Chance McMillan is returning to Texas Tech next season and will use his additional year of eligibility, per his IG page."

Good news for TT.

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Jon Rothstein: "Illinois' Coleman Hawkins tells me that he will declare for the 2024 NBA Draft with the intention of staying in."

A second rounder in the draft.

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UC Davis Men's Basketball: "OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL Welcome to the family, Nils Cooper."

Cooper is a 6-foot-6 (taller than his Dad) combo guard out of the Southland and the son of Michael Cooper.

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Skyline Basketball: "Congrats to Sean Richardson (Burlingame HS) on signing his scholarship with University of St. Francis. He posted a career 40% 3FG, and nearly 2.5:1 assist:turnover ratio. He’s another example of a LOCAL player achieving #SkylineSuccess. PROUD he represents our #SkylineMBBFam."

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Modesto Junior College Men's Basketball: "Excited to welcome 6’4 Guard Darius Smith of Modesto Christian High School to the Pirate family. Darius was named an All State Player during his high school career."

Smith got derailed by a knee injury but, if healthy, he'll really help.

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Recruits Zone: "2025 prospect Jalen Stokes tells me that he has heard recently from UC Davis, San Francisco, and Bowling Green.

Averages this HS season:

• 19.4 PPG
• 8.3 RPG
• 1.6 APG
• 1.6 SPG
• 53.5 FG
• 36.2 3FG%

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Semetri Carr: "Blessed to receive an offer from USC. Thank you to Coach Musselman and the staff for believing in me!"

The backcourt star of The Branson School, he should be a national recruit.

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Joe Tipton: "NEWS: Stanford transfer Andrej Stojakovic is down to three schools, source tells

On3sports: Kentucky, North Carolina, and Cal. The former McDonald’s All-American is finalizing a visit to Kentucky for this weekend."

Thought he might return once Kyle Smith arrived. 

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Fedrick Pernell: "Go Gators."

The 6-foot-2 Pernell is headed to San Francisco State. He's finishing up at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

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Tobias Aisien: "AG2G! 100% committed infinite101 APUMBB."

A 6-foot-5 guard out of Bishop O'Dowd, Aisien is heading to Azuza Pacific

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Tallis Toure Is Heading to The Farm

Yes, 6-foot-11 Tallis Toure of West Park High (near Sacramento) hit the jackpot when Washington State Coach Kyle Smith transitioned from Pullman, Washington to Stanford to be the new men's basketball coach. That's because earlier Tallis had accepted an offer from Coach Smith to join him at WSU. But as Smith set up residence on The Farm, he invited Toure to do the same once the big declared he was no longer committed to the Cougars.

The jackpot reference isn't actually applicable because it takes little effort and time to win a lottery jackpot. Other than picking out a set of numbers and purchasing a ticket, it's all chance. Toure was able to make the move to Stanford because he earned a grade point average between 3.9 and 4.0 (one 'B') during his high school tenure. Now that feat involved hundreds of hours of study and classroom time so credit is due to Toure for the persistence and preparation that earned him entry into the most prestigious university in the west and beyond. He was prepared when the opportunity presented itself.

A Phone Call While Airborne

So how, when and where did Toure receive the fantastic news? During the recent Spring break in late March/early April, Toure was on a plane to visit his mother in Arizona. His phone rang. He looked at the caller's ID and Stanford Assistant Coach Wayne Hunter was on the other end. As a Washington State University assistant coach, Hunter had conversed previously by phone with Toure when the young man was in the process of signing with the Cougars. Toure greeted Hunter and quickly learned Smith and Company wanted him to join them at Stanford—"We want to bring you along with us." Now Toure would be a member of the Stanford men's basketball program as well as a student progressing towards a Computer Science degree in the classroom.

Toure looking intent during a huddle

That call came soon, three days after Smith announced he was moving to Stanford. During those 72 hours, Toure recalled, "I gave some thought to will it happen? I also thought about my chances with my other options."

A Quiet Celebration

Once the conversation concluded, Toure felt like celebrating. "I was euphoric because all my work had ended with something I'm very happy with and my parents could come see me play." Plus, Toure had met with and was familiar the now current Stanford coaching staff during his foray to Washington State. Toure's option's for celebrating were limited because of his being in flight. Apparently quietly and on the interior described his party of one, with thanks to many.

How will he be used considering 7-foot-1, 250 pound senior-to-be Maxime Raynaud is returning upfront. "In Coach Smith's presentation, they see me as not a pure back-to-the basket player."

Toure with one of his many dunks this season

His Development

Toure also stressed that "I am not the same player as a year ago. 12 months ago, I couldn't dribble nearly as well as now and I wasn't as athletic as I am today. I'm doing skills training with my trainer Nate Garth and also strength training. My better athleticism directly translates to my game and allows me to play at a higher level. Getting better with my skills and body has given me confidence."

He is adamant about his leaving Stanford with a degree. "That part of the deal with my Dad. He wants me to have a master's degree or higher."

It's not exactly sticking one's neck out to predict Master's degree or more will be affixed after Toure's name in the not so distant future. Dreams have the knack of becoming realities for Tallis Toure.

Potpourri, Apr 24

News Bits

Joe Tipton: "NEWS - St. Mary’s transfer forward Joshua Jefferson has committed to Iowa State, he tells On3sports. The 6-8 sophomore averaged 10.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game this season."

He didn't return home to UNLV.

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Joe Tipton: "NEWS - 2024 four-star PG Jase Butler, a former Illinois signee, has committed to Washington, he tells On3Recruits."

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Gabe Camarillo: "Former Fresno State guard Donovan Yap announces on Instagram that he’s transferring to San Jose State."

The 6-foot-5 Yap will be an immediate starter considering the Spartans currently have two backcourters on the roster but don't see him at the point. His numbers this season: 26 games/12 starts/22 minutes per game, 9.0 points a contest/shooting 44%, 35% and 88% respectively/47 assists versus 49 turnovers/13 steals

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Verbal Commits: "2024 Golden State Prep (CA) G Jayden Russotti has committed to Pepperdine." New Coach Ed Schilling nabbed a gem.

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24/7 High School Hoops: "NEWS: Western Carolina transfer DJ Campbell tells League RDY that he’s committed to Cal and Mark Madsen. Campbell is a native of Hampton, Virginia who just wrapped up his sophomore season at Western Carolina. He averaged 11.6PPG, 3.7RPG and 1.5APG this season. Shot 41% from 3."

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Jon Chepkevich: "Alex Ducas was a bright spot for a struggling K&D Rounds squad last night here at PIT. The Aussie wing fought through bumps and bruises to drop 14 points in just 17 mins. Can really stroke it from three (4-of-6) and brought defensive toughness/physicality cutting off drivers."

Out of St. Mary's, Ducas measured 6-foot-7 and 1/4 inch with an 8-foot, 7 inch wingspan plus a 6-foot-10 inch wingspan.

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Anthony Moore: "Blessed to receive an offer from Weber State. Thank you to Coach Duft, Coach Russell and the rest of the coaching staff for believing in me!"

Moore is a 6-foot-6 2025 guard out of Lincoln High in Stockton.

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John Bynum Jr.: "Markees Williams (San Diego Miramar) has received an offer from Sonoma State University. Williams averaged 12.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists last season for the Jets."

Williams is a 6-foot-1 point.

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Modesto Junior College Men's Basketball: "Excited to welcome 6’7 forward Drevon Johnson of Modesto Christian High School to the Pirate family."

Brice Fantazia is building up his program.

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Tobias Bass: "NEWS: Kanaan Carlyle will transfer to Indiana. Carlyle, a top-50 recruit averaged 11.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game last season at Stanford. Carlyle was the No. 10 prospect in The Athletic CBB transfer portal rankings

The Hoosiers arguably have one of the best starting fives in the country:

• Kanaan Carlyle
• Myles Rice
• Mackenzie Mgbako
• Malik Reneau
• Oumar Ballo"

This one hurts since Carlyle has three remaining years of eligibility.

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Tyson Neff: "Excited to announce my acceptance of a full ride scholarship to Chadron State College. Thank you to everyone who’s helped me get here. Go Eagles!"

CSC is located in Nebraska. Neff is a 6-footer and a sophomore at College of the Redwoods. His brother is also heading to CSC.

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Gabriel Duarte: "PORTAL ADDITION: CSUN picks up a much-needed addition from the D2 level in CSU East Bay transfer 6’9 F Grady Lewis. Over the past two seasons Lewis has appeared in 55 games, starting in 54. He just wrapped up his sophomore season in EB averaging 14.7 PPG and 7.4 RPG."

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Joe Tipton: "UTSA transfer guard Christian Tucker has committed to Cal, source told On3sports. The 6-3 junior averaged 11.3 points and 5.4 assists per game this season." 

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Joe Tipton: "NEWS: Minnesota transfer forward Joshua Ola-Joseph has committed to Cal he tells On3sports. The 6-7 sophomore averaged 7.5 PPG in only 15.7 minutes per game this season.

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Jeff Goodman: "Aidan Mahaney on visit to Creighton now (April 22). The Saint Mary’s transfer averaged 13.9 points this past season. One of the top transfers on the board and would fill a huge need for Greg McDermott and the Bluejays."

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CBB Content: "Air Force transfer Rytis Petraitis is taking a visit to Cal this weekend, he tells me. Averaged 15.7 points and 6.3 rebounds as a sophomore. He has also completed a visit to Texas

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The Portal Report: "Utah State forward Nigel Burris has entered the transfer portal, he tells TPR. Burris averaged 8.8 points and 5 rebounds per game as a freshman at Idaho. Has 2 seasons remaining."

Burris is 6-foot-7, 225 and prepped at Archbishop Mitty. Maybe he was injured this past season but he played only 97 minutes.

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Jake Lieberman: "6'1 CG Jose Cuello out of The College of the Sequoias (Juco) has been offered by Southeastern Louisiana. Underrated prospect. Also holds an offer from Prairie View A&M."

Has NYC edge, earned 150 foul shots, plays physical despite 6-foot-1 size, 52 steals, solid shooter but assist to turnover numbers are 103 - 91. Is the latter holding him back or is it 6-1 size? 

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"2024 Junior College Basketball Top 100 Player Rankings"

It feels like NorCal gets shorted but here are the NorCal chosen few:

• #8 Elijah Mahi West Valley College to Santa Clara
• #96 Jose Cuello College of the Sequoias

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