LAGUNA NIGUEL – It was a strong 2018-19 season for Southern California freshmen basketball players.
But, when sorting out all of the performances, it’s apparent that no one had more of an impact on his team’s success than did Kijani Wright of Los Angeles Windward.
The 6-foot-8 Wright (pictured), and classmate Dylan Andrews (who suffered a season-ending injury late in the regular season), helped Coach Colin Pfaff’s Wildcats to a 25-7 record, which included CIF Southern Section Division I upset victories over Long Beach Poly and L.A. Loyola, and a semifinal overtime loss to ultimate State D-I champion Chino Hills.
Wright and Andrews – another of my first-team all-SoCal Freshman selections – are also teammates in the Compton Magic club program.
It is strongly emphasized that these selections are based on on-floor accomplishments this past season – not solely on college or long-term “potential”.
Those who wish to see how I rate these freshmen – and more – based upon college and NBA potential can subscribe to my scouting service.
Other players who I gave strong consideration for “top freshman” honors included Andrews and other first-team selections in Amari Bailey (of Southern Section and State Open Division-champion Sierra Canyon), Skyy Clark (who started at Oaks Christian before transferring to Heritage Christian), L.A. Dorsey point guard Jason Hart Jr. (Dorsey) and Christian Moore (Brentwood Academy).
SoCal Top Freshman for 2018-19 season
Kijani Wright 6-8 L.A. Windward
First Team
Dylan Andrews 6-1 L.A. Windward
Amari Bailey 6-2 Chatsworth Sierra Canyon
Skyy Clark 6-2 Northridge Heritage Christian
Jason Hart Jr. 6-0 L.A. Dorsey
Christian Moore 6-4 L.A. Brentwood Academy
Second Team
Henri Adiassa 6-9 Santa Monica Crossroads
D.J. Dudley 6-2 San Diego San Ysidro
Rock Lloyd 6-4 Calabasas
Alex Marmolejos 6-1 Carlsbad Army-Navy
R.J. Smith 6-2 La Verne Damien
Third Team
Benny Gealer 6-0 San Pedro Rolling Hills Prep
Devon Arlington 6-2 San Marcos (San Diego)
Barrington Hargress 6-1 L.A. Ribet Academy
Nathan Perez 6-2 Saugus
Quinton Webb 6-4 Loma Linda Academy
Fourth Team
Duke Gipson Jr. 6-7 L.A. Dorsey
Tajavis Miller 6-1 Anaheim Servite
Brandon Perez 6-1 Sherman Oaks Notre Dame
Ben Shtolzberg 6-1 Sherman Oaks Notre Dame
Jalen Vazquez 6-0 Torrance Bishop Montgomery
Fifth Team
Mason Dorsey 6-1 Encino Crespi
Christian Hammond 6-4 N. Hollywood Campbell Hall
James Hapgood 6-0 La Jolla Country Day
Isaac Peralta 5-11 Santa Ana Mater Dei
Cameron Thrower 6-3 Studio City Harvard-Westlake
Was wondering how you rated them. I see Nathan Perez is on the third team. He scored an overall 454 points for the season, Averaged 17.5 ppg and received First Team All League. Shouldn’t he be ranked a bit higher. His “on-floor accomplishments” appear to be more than some of the other kids ranked higher in his class.