SoCal’s Best Available in 2021 (Pt. 2)
It seems like class of 2021 players across the country are pulling the trigger on commitments early than they would in a normal year. As we all know this certainly isn’t a normal year as the COVID-19 pandemic has limited…
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Continue ReadingIt seems like class of 2021 players across the country are pulling the trigger on commitments early than they would in a normal year. As we all know this certainly isn’t a normal year as the COVID-19 pandemic has limited the number of events and participants across the country.
In the Southern California recruiting landscape, 11 of the top 30 players in the upcoming senior class have made a pledge to play at the next level. Some notable commitments which we covered earlier on in the summer are Long Beach Poly wing Peyton Watson Peyton Watson 6'7" | SF Long Beach Poly | 2021 State #11 Nation CA-S (UCLA), St. John Bosco guard Lamaj Lewis Lamaj Lewis 6'4" | PG St. John Bosco | 2021 State #236 Nation CA-S (Loyola Marymount), Birmingham guards David Elliot, IV David Elliot, IV 6'3" | CG Birmingham | 2021 State CA-S and James Nobles James Nobles 6'1" | SG Birmingham | 2021 State #241 Nation CA-S (Loyola Marymount), Damien guard Malik Thomas Malik Thomas 6'3" | SG Damien | 2021 State #99 Nation CA-S (USC), St. Bernard guard Reese Dixon-Waters Reese Dixon-Waters 6'5" | SG St. Bernard | 2021 State #79 Nation CA-S (USC), Pacifica Christian guard Houston Mallette Houston Mallette 6'4" | PG Pacifica Christian | 2021 State #201 Nation CA-S (Penn State), Coronado guard Wayne McKinney Wayne McKinney 5'10" | PG Coronado | 2021 State CA-S (San Diego), Chaminade guard Keith Higgins Keith Higgins 6'2" | SG Chaminade | 2021 State CA-S (Lehigh), and Sonora guard Daniel Esparza Daniel Esparza 6'2" | SG Sonora | 2021 State CA-S (Cal Poly SLO).
In this piece we take a look at four of the best available prospects as we continue to navigate an uncertain time in SoCal high school hoops.
Obinna Anyanwu Obinna Anyanwu 6'7" | SF Cathedral Catholic | 2021 State #160 Nation CA-S , Cathedral Catholic – Anyanwu has a handful of on-court traits that translate to the next level well. First, our No. 9 prospect is a big time offensive and defensive rebounder, both in and out of his space. Secondly, is size, length athleticism and mobility allow him to guard multiple positions. Lastly, the 6-foot-7 forward is a fluid transition athlete who can finish through and above contact.
Chris Howell Chris Howell 6'6" | PG Torrey Pines | 2021 State #205 Nation CA-S , Torrey Pines – Howell is the premier passer in SoCal’s 2021 class and emerged last season as a high level on-ball and team defender. Howell, our 11th-ranked prospect, is on the Division 1 radar for a variety of reasons, mainly his vision and high basketball IQ, but his size for the point guard position, along with his poised pace, make him a guy who can run a college offense.
Scotty Washington Scotty Washington 6'4" | SG St. John Bosco | 2021 State #223 Nation CA-S , St. John Bosco – Washington will complete his time in SoCal high school hoops after the 2021 season with plans of reclassifying to the 2022 class. For our purposes, we’ll leave Washington, our 13th-ranked prospect, with his classmates and are looking forward to seeing him back on the court healthy after battling a torn labrum last season. Washington showed flashes of turning the corner from potential to production early in his junior year as his pull-up jumper and ability to get to the rim and finish improved drastically.
Jalen Pitre Jalen Pitre 6'8" | SF Long Beach Poly | 2021 State CA-S , Long Beach Poly – Like Washington, Pitre has plans of moving to the 2022 class, but his time in SoCal on the prep scene will end after the 2020-2021 season. The 6-foot-8 lefty is one of the bigger sleepers in the region and his frame, combined with his skill-set, lend to his tremendous upside. Pitre, our 15th-ranked prospect, is a big time rebounder who can push the break and create shots for himself and teammates off the bounce.