Ladera Ranch, Cal. — Exclusive coverage of the Prep Hoops Next West Coast Kick-off continues today with a breakdown of the top shooting guards in attendance from the Class of 2025. The versatility of this group jumps out based on the contributions these players made not only in the scoring column but their all-around performances throughout the weekend…
Royce Bolden | Eastvale, CA | Class of 2025
Bolden is in the precarious position that so many players find themselves in while evolving their game. Only a couple of years ago the California native had immense size advantages over his peers, now, Bolden is a 6-foot-2 guard settling into a fairly new role in the backcourt. Morphing from post to perimeter prospect is a difficult transition and it will take some time for Bolden to regain his overall productivity. However, he still has excellent physical tools, and could emerge as a lockdown defender for his “Team DTermined (CA)” squad. I’d love to see him embrace this persona as he continues to refine his offensive skills.
Quincy Everson | Phoenix, AZ | Class of 2025
Everson has carved out a nice role for himself on an extremely talented A.E.B.C. (AZ) roster. He’s comfortable with the ball in the halfcourt, capable of facilitating for others, while also looking for scoring opportunities in the lane. During the West Coast Kick-off, his production largely came within the flow of the offense for his club, and he demonstrated the speed and athleticism necessary to be effective in transition. Defensively, Everson benefits from the size and explosiveness of his frontline, taking advantage of his chances to create turnovers by utilizing his quickness and ability to anticipate.
Aaron Glass | Ontario, CA | Class of 2025
Glass is an important contributor for “Team All Or Nothing (CA)” as part of a deep rotation of backcourt talent. The six-foot guard has a sturdy frame and is capable of playing either guard position at this moment in his development. At the West Coast Kick-off, Glass was efficient in converting his opportunities at the rim, and showed proficiency as a perimeter shooter when in rhythm. A competent ball-handler, Glass displayed a superb feel in navigating past defenders off the bounce while keeping his dribble alive, which resulted in several plays developing for his team.
Jake Hall | Solana Beach, CA | Class of 2025
Hall made an immediate impression at the West Coast Kick-off tournament and earned his way onto our opening day feature on Prep Hoops Next. By the conclusion of the weekend, he was the event’s leading scorer regardless of grade division, and had provided a collection of performances as impressive as any prospect in attendance. As the irrefutable leader for Multilevel Basketball (CA), the 6-foot-2 guard exhibited a pure stroke from the perimeter and not only had the guts to take big shots for his team, but made them in critical situations. He’ll be one to watch closely at the high school level in the greater San Diego area for the next four years.
Charlie Hoier | Encinitas, CA | Class of 2025
Hoier was a key contributor throughout the weekend for the San Diego Relentless (CA) program. The 6-foot-1 guard was perhaps most impressive in helping lead his club to a grudge-match victory against San Diego Prospects (CA) to close the West Coast Kick-off event. There is an element of poise to Hoier’s fundamentally-sound game, and while he was impactful with the ball in his hands, many of his contributions were in other areas of the game. Although he found ways to get open and flashed shooting touch from several areas on the floor, Hoier also proved to be an intelligent defender, and simply made winning plays for his team.
Demarco Johnson
Demarco
Johnson
6'0" | WG
CA
| Cerritos, CA | Class of 2025
Johnson has carved out a reputation on the West Coast among his peers and the eighth-grade backcourt prospect was a contributor in both guard positions for Gametime (WA) at the West Coast Kick-off tournament. There’s no denying Johnson’s potential, as his youthful frame continues to be a strong barometer that his physical maturation remains a ways off, yet his productivity has been substantial in spurts. It was a frustrating weekend for Johnson and his teammates as far as their win-loss record, but Johson displayed some of the shooting prowess for which he is known, while also continuing to build chemistry with his teammates.
Cole Leinart | Manhattan Beach, CA | Class of 2025
You can’t brush over the fact, especially in Southern California, that Leinart is the son of Heisman Trophy winner and former USC star quarterback Matthew Leinart. However, Leinart’s love of hoops is most closely tied to his mother, Brynn Cameron, who also starred for the Trojans in her own right. The 6-foot-3 guard is a perimeter sniper and provided plenty of offensive firepower to a loaded A.E.B.C. (AZ) line-up during their championship run at the West Coast Kick-off. It’s clear Leinart’s athletic abilities will have him in the mix as a heralded prospect in the Class of 2025 on the West Coast but the exact sport is still to be determined.
Braylon Singleton | Los Angeles, CA | Class of 2025
The strong play of the Singleton brothers has established their “Team All Or Nothing (CA)” squad on the national level in the Class of 2025 and the Los Angeles-based program was back at it again with another strong showing at the West Coast Kick-off tournament. While older brother Myles Singleton fills more of a playmaking role for the club, Braylon Singleton delivers the scoring punch for this group. He demonstrated accurate touch in the lane and is capable of creating his own offense off the bounce. Their continued physical development will play a part in determining their ceiling as prospects but the pair is extremely tough to contain at this stage.
Michael Johnson II | Mount Vernon, WA | Class of 2025
Johnson was one of the breakout performers at the West Coast Kick-off tournament, logging quality minutes for his San Diego Prospects (CA) team, and proving capable of playing either guard position. Johnson’s physical advantages were apparent, as his strength and quickness allowed him to get into the lane, and he converted attempts around the rim at a high clip. As a playmaker, he showed vision off the bounce, and a willingness to facilitate for others. Johnson closed out his weekend in Southern California with a 21-point performance that solidified his status among the top backcourt players in attendance.
Ely Willis | Rocklin, CA | Class of 2025
Willis earned his place among the standout performers at the guard position from the West Coast Kick-off tournament in helping lead Y.B.A. Elite (CA) to a pair of victories. The six-foot-one guard has sufficient size and strength, but doesn’t lack in quickness or skills, either. As part of a balanced offensive attack, Willis displayed patience and discipline, yet still appeared confident with the ball and capitalized on his ability to finish in the paint. As he continues to hone his all-around skills, and gains the confidence necessary to become more aggressive, it would not come as a surprise to see Willis’ impact continue to trend upward.
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