The L.A. Daily News’ boys basketball preview includes a list of the players to watch at each position.
Related: Lastest Top 10 rankings
SHOOTING GUARDS
When the term “shooting guard” comes to mind, so do the names of the NBA’s best: Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, James Harden, Dwyane Wade … the list goes on and on.
Like quarterback in the NFL, the shooting guard position seems to always draw the most attention, which can be a good or bad thing. A big scoring night can be a headline, but so can a horrible shooting night.
The names on this list aren’t on the NBA All-Star ballot this year, but there are high-level, college-bound players who are all-stars in their own right.
This is the deepest list of any position in the area, made up of elite scorers, high-flyers, dead-eye shooters and playmakers.
Cassius Stanley, Sierra Canyon, Sr.: Stanley has been a well-known player for years. He’s one of the nation’s best shooting guards and the praise is well-deserved. He’s a 6-foot-5 guard with NBA-level athleticism (right now), and he can score in a variety of ways. Stanley has narrowed his college choices to UCLA, Oregon and Kansas.
Johnny Juzang, Harvard-Westlake, Jr.: Juzang has a smooth jump shot. At 6-foot-6, he can shoot 3-pointers effortlessly and can also rise up over a defender at 12 feet. He’s a bigger guard who can also score in the post. Juzang holds offers from Virginia, UCLA and USC, among others.
Julian Rishwain, Notre Dame, Sr.: Rishwain is fun to watch, but not because of his dazzling dunks. The 6-foot-5, Boston College-bound guard is a knock-down shooter and is very elusive with the ball. He has unlimited range and each time he shoots everyone watching thinks it is going in.
Dillon DePina, Heritage Christian, Jr.: DePina is a player that came into high school with a lot of buzz around him. He’s had some great games, but entering his junior season even more is expected of him. He’s a strong, physical guard that can score inside. His jump shot is much-improved.
Brandon Whitney, Alemany, Jr.: Whitney is an aggressive scorer. Capable of 30-point games, the combo guard can also turn into a playmaker for his teammates. The addition of Alemany transfer Jonathan Daniels will allow Whitney to play off the ball more this season. Whitney is great at getting to the free throw line, a true sign of any high-volume scorer.
Richard Kawakami, Valencia, Sr.: Kawakami is a hard-nosed guard who can hurt you from beyond the arc, but he is crafty around the rim, too. His competitive nature is apparent from the tip-off. With this year’s talented team, the Vikings can contend for the Foothill League title.
Max Cheylov, Calabasas, Sr.: Cheylov is the reigning Marmonte League MVP. His ability to score in bunches gives Calabasas a chance to win any game despite facing a deficit. Cheylov is a combo guard that can slide to point guard.
Adrian McIntyre, Saugus, Jr.: McIntyre is an all-around player with great potential. He scored 24 points in a season-opening win over Alemany, which included multiple tough finishes in the paint and a break-away dunk.
Other Players to Watch: Andre Henry, St. Francis, Jr.; Demetrius Calip, Taft, Jr.; Dennis Flowers III, St. Francis, Sr.; Kalani Atkins, Cleveland, Sr.; Corey Cofield, Birmingham, So.; Jesse Bannout, Granada Hills, Sr.; Noah McKenzie, Chatsworth, Sr.; Andrew Reyes, Viewpoint, So.; L Simpson, Sierra Canyon, Sr.; Keith Higgins, Chaminade, So.; Brandon Perez, Notre Dame, Fr.; Ben Shtolzberg, Notre Dame, Fr.; Skyy Clark, Oaks Christian, Fr.; Amari Bailey, Sierra Canyon, Fr.; Justin Stanziano, Thousand Oaks, Jr.; Jax Koren, Simi Valley, Jr.; Justin Rochelin, Heritage Christian, So.; Jordan Fuller, Village Christian, Jr.; Justin Hill, Highland, Sr.; Shemar Gilmore, Antelope Valley, Sr.; Jake Hlywiak, Valencia, Jr.; Jordan Shelley, Providence, Jr.; Nathan Perez, Saugus, So.
