News Bits
Modesto Junior College Men's Basketball: "Congrats to Freshmen Ylan Esso-Essis who has committed to UC Davis. This season Ylan was the Big 8 Conference Player of the Year, made the Fab 50 Freshman List, named to the CCCMBCA 2025 All-State Team & was named an All American by the NABC."
The 6-foot-8 Esso-Essis is a marvelous pickup for Coach Jim Les and Company. He'll likely play as a wing and, along with a new set of young backcourters brought into UC Davis hoops, should soon get the Aggies back into Big West Conference contention. He averaged 15.5 points and 8.2 rebounds this past season while shooting 37% from three-point range. Essos-Essis also possessed offers from San Diego (WCC), UNLV (MWC), SJSU (MWC), UC Santa Barbara (BWC), Valparaiso (MVC) as well as interest from St. Mary's. (WCC)
He has a slightly younger brother named Jess who stands 6-foot-9 and is also a D1 prospect. Here's a post from CBB Europe dated 3-29: "Jess and Ylan Esso Essis have visited Siena last week and have been gaining interest from several schools lately: Iowa, Iowa State, Marquette, Seton Hall, Campbell and Kent State."
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"Brayden Fagbemi to Join Men's Basketball Program"
He's a 6-foot point with two seasons of college hoops experience making it official and likely will be a starter with UC Davis due to his seasoning.
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Sam Federman: "NEWS: Iona transfer Yaphet Moundi has committed to San Jose State, per his IG."
The 6-foot-8, 205 pound Moundi entered the transfer portal on March 31. He played in 32 games with 17 starts and at 20.6 minutes a night, scoring 9.8 points and with 7.4 rebounds. He shot 57%, didn't attempt a three-pointer and shot 51% at the foul line. He led Iona in rebounding (95 of his 237 rebound were at the offensive end) but lacks any range. It appears he has one year of remaining eligibility.
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Jake Lieberman: "6'5 guard Ryan Richardson from Missouri State-West Plains Junior College tells me that he's planning on visiting Alabama State, St. Peter’s, New Haven & Stonehill. Hearing from USC Upstate, Omaha, San Jose State, Marist, SIUE, UTEP. 11.0 points & 4.1 rebounds."
SJSU Coach Tim Miles loves him some big guards but boy he really need an effective center right now with apparently four schollies remaining.
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Transfer Tapes: "West Georgia transfer Rickey Ballard tells us he has heard from the following schools since entering the Portal: May 12: Santa Clara | ULM l Penn State | Charlotte | Hofstra | Chattanooga | UT Martin | Bryant | Lipscomb | College of Charleston | Grambling State | FIU
**1 Year of Eligibility Remaining**"
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"'Job well done': Inside Gregg Popovich's unparalleled NBA legacy"
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"He’s ‘Mr. Sonoma’ to generations of athletes. After 30 years, the school is cutting his job"
Rich Shayewitz is a wonderful coach and an even better human being. It's terrible that he is no longer residing in Sonoma County (having taken a job as an assistant coach at UC San Diego). Posted this previously but it is worth repeating.
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"SHC Names Andrew Kochevar Head Boys Basketball Coach"
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Malachi Miller: "Blessed to revive an offer from Mississippi College!"
Miller is a 6-foot-4 sophomore guard at Modesto Junior College and also Central Catholic High.
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Portal Updates: "USC Upstate transfer Brit Harris has committed to Pacific. The 6’4” junior guard appeared in 30 games, averaging 11.6 points on 49% FG, 2.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.0 steal per game. Harris shot 37.3% from 3, knocking down 41 3-pointers this season."
Good size, solid production, can compete for a starting spot and also add depth.
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Former UC Davis 6-foot-7 freshman forward Jacob (Twelve Bridges High) Gilchist in heading next to Chico State which seems to be a very appropriate pairing for both entities. LINK
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Chico State Men's Basketball: "Introducing Braddock Kjellesvig to the #WildcatFamily!! Braddock is coming off a senior campaign at De La Salle, where he averaged 8 points and 8 rebounds per game. He was a key part of a De La Salle team who went 28-5 this past season ranking 9th in the state."
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William Jessup University Men's Basketball Coach Mark Darnall has been refilling the ranks up in Rocklin:
"Please join us in officially welcoming Amarlie Wilkinson to the Jessup Men’s Basketball Family! Amarlie comes to Jessup from Barking Abbey Basketball Academy in London, England."
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"Please join us in officially welcoming Marc Cherfan to the Jessup Men’s Basketball Family! Marc comes to Jessup from Bishop Alemany High School in Mission Hills, California."
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"Please join us in officially welcoming Kendall Connor Jr. to the Jessup Men’s Basketball Family! Kendall comes to Jessup from Hargrave Military Academy and is from Ontario, Canada."
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Modesto Junior College Men's Basketball: "Excited to welcome 6’5 Wing Darrion Lilly of Weston Ranch High School to the Pirate family."
Lilly is a very solid pickup for Coach Brice Fantazia.
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