News Bits
Chabot Gladiator Basketball: "Gladiator 6’4 Soph G Coast North Conf MVP (All State Selection) Zach Broadous has committed to a full scholarship to Cal Poly Pomona University."
Longtime Coach Greg Kamansky and CPPU got an absolute steal here. Take it to the bank that Broadous will be the leading scorer for the Broncos next season.
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Jeff Goodman: "Iowa State’s TJ Otzelberger told thefieldof68 that Charlotte transfer Dishon (St. Patrick-St. Vincent High) Jackson has been biggest surprise this offseason. “He had as good of a summer as anyone in the program.” The 6-11, 270-pound Charlotte transfer averaged 11.4 points and 6.1 boards last season for the 49ers. Otzelberger said that he can put the ball on the floor and attack the basket, and finishes well with both hands.
The Cyclones lost three senior frontline guys in Robert Jones, Hason Ward and Tre King that were important to their success a year ago, so Jackson - along with St Mary’s transfer Joshua Jefferson and Seattle transfer Brandton Chatfield - will need to fill that void.
Otzelberger said that the 6-8 Jefferson, who averaged 10.2 points and 6.5 boards for the Gaels before suffering a season-ending knee injury in February, returned for Iowa State’s final 6 practices and was impressive."
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Chase Rawlins: "I will be visiting UC Davis on August 29th."
Glad to see that a NorCal D1 is interested in the 6-foot-6 2025 backcourter.
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DaMari (Los Banos High) Tate of West Hills Lemoore College is heading to Simpson College up in Redding.
Tate stands 6-foot-4.
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CCCMBCA: "We've also learned that Ravi Bhambhra at Alameda and John Fusano at Sierra have stepped down. Haven't heard names of replacements."
College of Alameda lacks any effort to take men's basketball program seriously. Until that changes, the program will remain known as a coach killer.
Fusano is a longtime Sierra College coach whose overall team talent has fallen off of late. More energy is needed. A new coach can win in Rocklin so it will be interesting who is selected.
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Blake Bastani: "Blessed to receive an invite to CP3 Rising Stars Camp August 23-25th!"
Bastani is now at New Hampton School in New Hampshire but don't forget the 6-foot-5 2027 sharpshooter.
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Flynn is a point guard so not sure how this signing effects point Jamaree (Palma High/San Francisco) Bouyea who is also on the roster of the Spurs, as a two-way player.
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From hoops evaluator Paul Biancardi comes these two items after the big time summer tournaments: 1) AJ (ex-of Prolific Prep) Dybantsa is listed as tops in NBA potential and 2) Tounde Yessoufou is credited as hardest playing.
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Basketball evaluator Eric Guilleminault offers his take on a Bay Area talent:
Semetri Carr 6’0 PG Riordan Class of 2025
"I’ve watched Semetri Carr in a few consecutive sessions, first at EYBL (KC, then at Pangos, and finally with his Riordan team at Section 7. This was by far where he showcased himself the best. Carr led Riordan to a 3-1 record and a championship game versus Millennium. He showcased his impressive athleticism first off a baseline, out of bounds, catching a 2 handed lob, then later catching a one handed lob off the fast break. Throughout the weekend, he made 3 pointers at a high rate, even making a few on four-point plays. Lightning quick, Carr can get downhill and showed here the ability to absorb contact and finish plays off. Both with the Oakland Soldiers and here, he seemed to prioritize fitting in and featuring other scorers, so this was a good change of pace to remind scouts of his offensive potential. With his height, there is little room for error for him to make it to the top level."
Santa Maria may be too far south to count as Nor Cal but again here's a great young man who gives his all:
Tounde Yessoufou 6’5 SF St Joseph (Santa Maria, CA) Class of 2025
"In front of a crowd of power 5 coaches, Tounde Yessoufou showcased his complete offensive game. Against Millennium he served as an offensive hub, swinging the ball around and getting assists for his teammates. In the same half grabbing an offensive rebound and finishing it with a thunderous dunk. On the defensive side of the ball with his long wingspan closing out hard on Cam Holmes and forcing a rushed air ball shot. Tounde throughout the weekend showcased his improved mid-range game and how difficult it was to stop him from getting to the rim. On defense, he can shut the best offensive opponent down or disrupt the flow of a play all by himself. In addition, he is an excellent communicator both on offense and defense. He has worked on his shot so much that once considered a liability, the question isn’t whether can he shoot it; but can he extend the range to the pro line? Yes, his body probably fully matured a couple years ago, but his improvement in his game is such that scouts can tell that he works hard on it and that he still has room to add layers in his development."
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Fresno State has received a commitment from 6-foot-5 wing Brian Amuneke out of the SoCal Academy. It looks like he is a 2025 prospect but there is confusion over 2024 or 2025.
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John Bynum Jr.: "Brian Carter (Fresno CC) has committed to Belmont Abbey College. Carter averaged 7.9 points and 2.9 rebounds last season for the Rams."
Carter is a 6-foot-4, 210 sophomore.
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Mountain Stars Basketball: "Congrats to Josiah Sanders for his offer from Stanford University!"
Sanders is a 6-foot-4 point out of Colorado.
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The Portal Report: "🏀Dave Smart and PacificMensBB have added an impressive transfer portal class in his first season in Stockton:
- Lamar Washington, 6-4 G, Texas Tech
- Elijah Fisher, 6-6 G, DePaul
- Donyae May, 6-0 G, Connors State (JUCO)
- Jefferson Koulibaly, 6-3 G, SMU
- Jazz Gardner, 7-0 F, Nevada
- Petar Krivokapic, 6-4 G, FIU
- Elias Ralph, 6-7 F, Victoria (Canada)
- Kristupas Keinys, 6-8 F, Minnesota
- Seth Jones, 6-2 G, Tallahassee CC"
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California is one of many pursuing 6-foot-9 Salt Lake City CC sophomore forward Xavier Edmonds. He would be a very solid catch for Coach Mark Madsen who seemingly has a gazillion offers out in the recruiting galaxy, focused primarily on prep talents.
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Basketball Recruitment: "2025 6'4 SG C.J. Shaw has trimmed his list to the following schools.
Finalists:
- Xavier
- Saint Mary's
- UC Santa Barbara
- UNLV
- Utah State
- UCSB"
Also: "Shaw is a tough, hard-nosed defender who’s excellent on the ball. Can score the ball from all three levels offensively and is shifty with the ball in his hands. #99 in the ESPN100."
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