News Bits
Dushawn London: "NEWS: Jovani Ruff, the No. 40 overall prospect in the class of 2025 has committed to the California Golden Bears. Ruff chose California over Kansas, Oregon and USC."
I say give Cal Coach Mark Madsen a raise right now even though multiple poachers are descending on Ruff as this is being typed.
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Jovan Blacksher Jr. has signed with Cal Berkeley. He's a 5-foot-11 senior point and the 10th overall signee for the Bears in 2023-24.
More.
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College of San Mateo Men's Basketball: "We’re excited to announce Pawllos Habtom has accepted a scholarship to continue his career as a student-athlete to UC Merced!"
Habtom is a 6-foot-4 guard who prepped at Valley Christian. He averaged a team high 14.4 points per game this season plus his 7.2 rebounds also led the Bulldogs.
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College of San Mateo Men's Basketball: "We’re excited to announce JJ Montgomery has accepted an athletic scholarship to continue his career as a student-athlete to NAIA powerhouse, Bellevue University."
The 5-foot-11 Montgomery prepped at Mt. Eden High in Hayward. He averaged 10.1 points this past season.
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John Bynum Jr.: "Yatyn Anderson (Santa Rosa JC) has received an offer from Simpson University. Anderson averaged 9.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists last season for the Bearcubs."
He's a 6-foot-2 combo guard.
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Dominican Men's Basketball: "SIGNED: Ezekiel Stallworth (Santa Rosa JC/Wellington, NZ) will be a Penguin next fall!"
He's a 6-foot-4 sophomore wing.
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Chabot Gladiator Basketball: "Gladiator Basketball is excited about the commitment of 6’3 190 G Amani Johnson (Salesian Prep) Amani has 4.2GPA, is a hi level 3pt shooter, playmaker and scorer. 🚨4 year coaches 🚨 he is no brainer."
and
Chabot Gladiator Basketball: "Gladiator Bball is excited about the commitment of 6’8 230 F/ C Dwight Stricklen (Jeese Bethel HS) Vallejo, Ca. Dwight brings rebounding and an inside presence.🚨4 year coaches 🚨 get on him early."
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Derek Murray: "2025 Winters Grady of Prolific Prep & Jalen Green Elite has earned an offer from Xavier University."
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Team Rondae-Hollis Jefferson: "Congratulations to Team RHJ 6’7 F KJ Dunn Jr on signing with Art U men's basketball. It's a really good D2 program who had a 20 win season located in San Francisco CA who plays in the PAC West. We’re proud of you!"
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Joe Tipton: "2025 four-star SF Jasir Rencher tells me he's scheduled the following official visits:
- Oklahoma: September 7th
- Washington: October 5th
- LSU: October 12th"
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Elias Amanor Obenyah: "I am blessed to receive an offer from the University of Montana. Thank you Coach Cobb and the entire coaching staff for believing in me."
So it's Montana breaking the ice. That's one of the reasons the Grizz coaching staff (Chris Cobb once more) landed freshman guard Money (Oakland High) Williams who enjoyed a terrific freshman season in Missoula.
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Verbal Commits: "2025 Bella Vista Prep (AZ) G Jaden Vance has received an offer from San José State."
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CCCSIA 2023-2024 MEN'S ATHLETE OF THE YEAR -- Robert Lewis, June 5, 2024
"Elijah Mahi, Sophomore, West Valley/Basketball (Potter's House Christian, Florida)
A 6-foot-6 forward, Mahi was the tournament MVP in helping West Valley complete an undefeated season at 33-0 to win the 3C2A state men's basketball championship in March. The Vikings became just the fifth team to ever finish as undefeated champions and the first in 18 years.
An NABC All-American and a 2-time, All-State selection as well as this year's MVP of the Coast Conference South Division, Mahi was at his best in the state final as he scored more than half of his team's points with a game-high 30 in defeating College of the Sequoias, 59-51. Mahi was 10-for-16 from the field and a perfect 9-for-9 at the free throw line.
He averaged 24 points in WVC's three state tourney games and in the NorCal Regional finals, Mahi tallied 26 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in a win over Sacramento City. In five postseason games, he averaged 25.5 points. Mahi was the North Region State Player of the Year for the regular season.
As a freshman, Mahi scored a career-high 35 points in a playoff win over Porterville. He was Coast South Freshman of the Year and conference Defensive Player of the Year as well as All-State.
West Valley performed a 59-5 record in his two seasons and back-to-back, state tourney appearances. He averaged 17.5 points overall in both of his Vikings' seasons.
From Toronto, Ontario, Mahi played last summer on the Canadian U23 Men's National Team and helped Team Canada reach the championship game of the Global Jam.
Mahi will continue his playing career and education at D1 Santa Clara University.
Mahi is the second basketball player to receive the SIA state award in joining Santiago Canyon's Antoine Jenkins, who won in 2019-20."
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Joe Tipton: "Illinois transfer Coleman Hawkins, the top available forward in the portal, is visiting Louisville this weekend, his agent Nate Conley tells On3Sports."
Chatter has it that the 'Ville has that $200,000 in NIL largess still available to spend. Let's see if Hawkins takes another visit elsewhere.
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"CSU Recommends Integrating Cal Maritime and Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo"
Hard to check the calendar to make sure it wasn't dated April 1.
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