News Bits
Shams Charania: "The Miami Heat are converting two-way forward Keshad Johnson on a standard two-year NBA contract, sources told ESPN. Johnson has spent the season as a standout player for Heat's G League affiliate, Sioux Falls, averaging 21.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game."
Wonderful news! Great to see this happen to a player who won't be a big points producer in the NBA but is a multiple position defender, understands what to do when, is a willing passer and will dunk in the blink of an eye.
Here's much much more on Johnson's move up.
..................................
"Cal-Hi Sports Northern California Boys Basketball Player of the Week Manno Jenkins (Natomas, Sacramento) Jr.
Our last stop this week takes us to a school north of the State Capitol that is only a few miles from the California Interscholastic Federation’s headquarters (also in the Natomas area of the town). It’s there where we find a 6-foot-1 junior who continues to improve each season.
Manno was the man for the Nighthawks last season as a sophomore when he averaged 18.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.4 steals for a 25-10 team that lost by just 64-61 to Monterey in the CIF NorCal D4 championship. Monterey won the state title over Chatsworth several days later. Jenkins was named first team All-Metro by the Sacramento Bee.
Jenkins had his first really big outing last week in a 62-56 win by Natomas over Willow Glen of San Jose. He knocked down 32 points, grabbed seven rebounds, gave out six assists and collected seven steals. So far in 10 reported games (the Nighthawks are 6-4), Manno has averaged 22.2 ppg. His other averages are 5.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.1 steals."
..................................
Jalen Green Elite: "Welcome Rajan Roberts to Jalen Green Elite 17u 3ssb! Rajan is a tough PG that currently plays for the Number 2 ranked High school in the country Prolific Prep. Rajan currently hold offers from Cal Berkeley, Xavier, NIU and more!
..................................
"NCAA Waiver could help Pacific"
..................................
6-foot-1, 170 pound Solano College sophomore guard Justiz (Vanden High) Wilson leads the state in scoring right now at a remarkable 28.8 points per game. He has improved his three-point and overall shooting percentages (to 45% and 46% respectively) from his freshman season but is underwater in assists versus turnovers again in 2024-25. His assist numbers likely have taken a hit because 4-8 Solano (but consider that nine of the team's games have been of the road variety) is not all that good of a good shooting team and that it is also incumbent on Wilson to create point production.
..................................
6-foot-11, 220 pound Butte College freshman center Jessy Maximin leads the state in rebounding at 16.6 boards a game. A native of the Turks and Caicos Islands, he also has 32 blocked shots in 17 games thus far and is shooting 65% from the floor. There isn't much size on the Butte squad which favors Maximin's rebounding totals but credit him for achieving his spectacular boarding numbers because he is going up and grabbing missed shots likely among more than one decent sized opponent.
..................................
6-foot-8, 200 pound Nigerian Tochi Onyeador is tops in the state right now with 48 blocked shots in 12 games and it appears he will repeat, having earned the Bay Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year last season. He is also prominent with 12.6 rebounds per contest (very strong on the defensive end). Onyeador shoots well close in at 68% but isn't a points producer (8.8 points an outing).
Here's a recent feature: "LMC center takes his career to next level Tochi Onyeador’s competitive spirit strengthens his game"
..................................
Nick DePaula: "BREAKING: Memphis Grizzlies rookie standout Jaylen Wells has signed with Nike. The 39th overall pick was the October & November Western Conference Rookie of the Month and has emerged as a Rookie of the Year candidate this season."
Phil Knight makes an investment.
..................................
"Pat Riley: Heat are not trading Jimmy Butler"
So is Jonathan Kuminga now safe?
..................................
Dec 25, NCAA D1 scores
Hawai'i 73, Oakland 70 OT box. The reason for listing this game is simple: freshman guard Aaron (Salesian Prep)Hunkin-Claytor played 28 minutes (his most to date) and achieved four assists (his most to date) which led the Rainbow Warriors.
Dec 26, NCAA D1 scores
no games
..................................
Dec 25 CCCMBCA scores
no games
Dec 26 CCCMBCA scores
no NorCal games
..................................