SoCal’s 2022 Breakout Candidates (Pt. 1)

With many states, including California, still struggling to figure out how to play the high school basketball season amid increasing COVID-19 case numbers, we wanted to take a closer look at each class in our region. In this piece, we break down the players who would have broken out at this point in the season for their high school teams if it had gone as normally scheduled. Donovan DentDonovanDent6'1" | CGCorona Centennial | 2022State, Corona Centennial - We had Dent ranked among the top 30 prospects in Southern California after last season, but the 2020-21 campaign could have been one to catapult him into the top 15-20 discussion. The 6-foot-1 guard is as quick and tough as they come and both of those attributes contribute to his high level on-ball defense and ability to get out in transition and finish around the basket. Dent often gets forgotten while playing on a team loaded with guards the likes of Jared McCainJaredMcCain5'11" | PGCentennial | 2023#68Nation, Kylan BoswellKylanBoswell6'1" | PGCorona Centennial | 2023#31Nation and Dior JohnsonDiorJohnson6'3" | PGMayfair | 2022#11Nation, but his approach and style of play translates well to the next level. Marqui WorthyMarquiWorthy6'3" | SFSonora | 2022State, Sonora - This jack of all trades wing has gotten some game reps in this fall and winter with Veritas and it’s translated into a heightened level of interest in him at the next level. Worthy is a strong and physical wing at 6-foot-3 with a burly 200-plus pound frame and he uses his body well when powering through defenders in transition and getting to the basket where he can finish through contact. Worthy is a multi-positional defender who rebounds well for his size and position, has the ball skills and passing IQ to lead the break and competes on both ends of the floor. Otto LandrumOttoLandrum6'8" | PFTorrey Pines | 2022State, Torrey Pines - Landrum is another guy who hasn’t been off the floor completely during the pandemic as he’s spent time playing in events with his Gamepoint club team and with Veritas on The Grind Session. The 6-foot-8 forward is drawing Division I interest due to his size, skill and high motor on both ends of the floor. Landrum can finish with either hand around the basket, has the strength and leaping ability to finish above the rim, and can spread the floor with fluid shooting mechanics and touch. Roddie AndersonRoddieAnderson6'1" | PGFountain Valley | 2022State, Fountain Valley - Anderson continues to be one of the more under-appreciated guards in the state, and if the high school season was in full swing, he would have been turning plenty of heads. The 6-foot-2 junior has a great combination of speed, strength and athleticism and thrives in transition where he uses those traits to get into the paint and finish through contact. One of the biggest improvements Anderson has made to his game during this downtime is to his jump shot. He’s shown, while playing some games with the Cali Rebels program, more confidence and consistency from deep. Anderson remains an active and physical on-ball defender who plays with a high motor.