News Bits
"(Elijah) Pepper Signs Two-Year Deal with Perth Wildcats"
Pepper was named the Big West Conference Most Valuable Player last season. He's a fun player to watch, no wasted effort.
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Derek Murray: "2026 Elias Obenyah (6’4 G) of Salesian (CA) & Team Lillard aau has earned an offer from Weber State."
Meanwhile, the Nor Cal D1 programs wonder why they have difficulty landing Nor Cal/Bay Area prospects.
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Portal Updates: "Long Beach State transfer Isael Silva has committed to San Francisco. The 6’4” junior guard appeared in 36 games, averaging 2.4 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 12.5 minutes per game. Silva previously played at Stanford, where he averaged 3.4 PPG, and 1.2 APG over two seasons. Former top 100 recruit coming out of high school."
This is a surprising move upwards for the point guard.
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JUCO Recruiting: "Radford has offered 2025 College of Sequoias 6’7 F Jaden Haire."
It would help at the next level if Haire were 6-foot-9 but he plays hard, rebounds well and doesn't do anything he shouldn't. He can score close in but is weak on treys and free throws. Haire also was recently offered by Southern Utah and also Cal State Bakersfield.
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Bennett Silvyn: "Chase Rawlins, 6'6" '25, a lengthy combo guard with great handles, uses quick changes of pace and bursts of speed to attack defenders. He shows excellent court awareness, feeling pressure from double teams and finding open teammates."
A Folsom High and Rose City Ballers talent who should have every NorCal D1 taking a long look.
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Bennett Silvyn: "Gavin Gross, 6'6" '25, is an exceptional hustle player who goes after every 50/50 ball and rebound. A good shooter unafraid to drive to the rim, he’s also a phenomenal passer. Great all around player to keen an eye on.
Another Rose City Ballers youngster out of Oregon.
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Chabot Gladiator Basketball: "Gladiator true HS Fr 6’3 Amani Johnson showed well & has received D-1 interest at the JC All American Open Showcase. Amani averaged 11.3ppg 5.2rpg 3.0asg 2.0spg. 🚨4yr coaches🚨Amani is hi level player!"
Johnson is just a few months out of playing for Salesian Prep.
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From Paul Garcia:
"With (Stephon) Castle out, (Jamaree) Bouyea got to go back to his natural position of being the Spurs’ lead point guard. In 24 minutes, Bouyea finished with 12 points on 12 shots, 3 rebounds, 4 assists to 3 turnovers, and 3 steals.
Like Cissoko and most of his teammates, Bouyea had a tough night from the 3-point line, shooting 0-of-5. He did what he usually does out on the court, plays with a lot of energy, gets the team into their sets or runs P&Rs to create, and makes hustle plays.
There was a possession in the fourth where he went up high for a defensive board, he collected the board, and pushed the ball down court. He saw a teammate ahead of him and threw an on-target bounce pass to his teammate for the finish.
When the game was close in the final minutes, Bouyea got a switch against a Hawks big, and used a crafty crossover into step-back dribble to make a mid-range jumper..."
Bouyea has bounced around thus far after playing at Palma High and USF but hopefully will land with the Spurs. He's reaching a critical time where it might be best to head overseas.
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CSUNorthridge Men's Basketball: "Mykel Morse joins CSUN Men's Basketball staff as director of operations for 2024-25 season. Mykel spent last season as an associate head coach at West Valley College where he helped lead the team to a 33-0 record and 3C2A championship."
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William Middlebrooks the new head coach (as of April 2024) of the Oakland-based Lincoln University Lions. He is a longtime coach and basketball leader from southern California. He, like all others in the coaching field, has been recruiting and of late:
- 5-foot-10 sophomore Dwayne Ealy of Skyline High and College of Alameda has come aboard.
- 6-foot-3 sophomore Davron Murrell of Encinal High and College of Alameda is also now an Oak.
- 6-foot-1 sophomore Elijah Williams of Grossment High and Grossmont College is also a roster addition.
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Verbal Commits: "2027 Prolific Prep (CA) F/C Obinna Ekezie, Jr. has received an offer from Arizona State."
It's his fourth offer, the others being Stanford, California and Houston, for the 7-foot, 215 pound prospect.
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Pro Insight: "We spoke with ‘27 Siincere Hudson this week at 3SSBCircuit in Rock Hill, SC, and talked about his role with Dream Vision Ball, which pros he studies, watching the Ball brothers growing up, and more (sound 🔊 on)."
Hit this link to bring up the audio.
The 6-foot-2 Hudson attends Inderkum High.
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Joe Tipton on Prolific Prep's Tyran Stokes: "Tyran Stokes is one of those dudes and he knows it. At 6-foot-7 and 225+ pounds, his athleticism is freaky. His strength and speed allows him to get to the rim with ease and he’s an underrated passer. His three point shot is continuing to improve, knocking in several today. The passing ability is an impressive aspect of the Louisville native’s game. Stokes is in the class of 2026, but has a very mature game."
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