We’ve identified the 25 standout players to keep an eye on for Monday’s 27th De La Salle MLK Jr. Classic.
After immersing ourselves in 12 hours and watching seven games of fast-paced high school basketball at De La Salle, here are the 10 players and performances that left the biggest impression.
While there were no significant blowouts or last-second thrillers, the day was packed with high-octane action that showcased impressive skill, athleticism, and competitive spirit.
1. Tounde Yessoufou (St. Joseph-Santa Maria)
Not to be outdone, with roughly five seconds remaining in the half, Myles Jones of Modesto Christian, a Stanford commit, made a layup attempt contested fiercely by Yessoufou. The attempt hit the backboard, but didn’t touch the rim, allowing St. Joseph’s 6-foot-7 senior Matas Siskauskas to grab the rebound, who then flipped the ball to the athletic Yessoufou.
He swiftly sped down the court, splitting two defenders with an impressive dribble move near half-court, taking just four dribbles before launching from just beyond the free throw line. While a highlight dunk wasn’t in the cards due to time constraints, he released the ball just before the buzzer, and it swished through the net, adding to his game-high 25 points.
Additionally, with four made 3-pointers from eight attempts, including one that beat the third-quarter buzzer, Yessoufou proved he’s more than just a dominant post player—he’s an adaptable scorer. Rated as the No. 13 senior by 247Sports, Yessoufou firmly established himself as the day’s most memorable athlete with 25 points and 12 rebounds, bringing his career total to 3,286 points, now the sixth-most in state history as noted by Cal-Hi Sports, surpassing Casey Jacobsen (3,284) of Glendora.
He’s on track to overtake all-time leader DeMarcus Nelson, who has 3,462, and could potentially claim the top spot by the end of the regular season. Most significantly, he guided the Knights (19-1) to an exhilarating 67-62 victory over a tenacious Modesto Christian team (14-5), who climbed back from a 14-point deficit going into the fourth quarter to take a brief lead at 62-58 with 3:01 left.
St. Joseph, however, would close the game with the final nine points. Yessoufou’s reflections on postgame toughness, his player development, respect for Modesto Christian, and choices for regional play are included below.
2. Gavin Sykes (Modesto Christian)
A key contributor to the impressive comeback was Jones, who excelled alongside Trevor Dickson (14 points) and played an all-encompassing role throughout the game. The 6-4 Long Beach State commit appeared to thrive at De La Salle, matching Yessoufou’s output with 25 points on 10-of-18 shooting, while also adding four rebounds and five assists.
His fourth-quarter performance included 11 points, featuring a variety of scoring methods. His tough driving layup over Yessoufou gave the Crusaders their first lead in the fourth quarter at 58-56, followed by an assist that led to a four-point play by Dickson, extending it to 62-58. His performance certainly helped him exceed his usual scoring average of 22.4 points per game.
3. JRob Croy (Riverside Poly)
Despite a slow start in his team’s 66-56 comeback victory against Moreau Catholic, Jrob Croy, a smooth 6-5 junior guard with offers from Stanford and Washington State, didn’t falter. He managed to hit a pivotal second-quarter 3-pointer, ultimately finishing with 25 points in a stellar performance. Croy acknowledged that he typically tends to get off to a fast start but was anticipating defenses focusing on the team’s leading scorer.
Fortunately, he benefited from strong play by Chris Holland (21 points) and crucial contributions from Cam Dodson, who made a tightly contested three-pointer that capped an 18-3 third quarter run, propelling Poly into control. Croy made two of his four three-pointers in the third and complemented his scoring with two driving layups. His postgame interview showcased his personality, revealing his full name, James Robert.
4. Ahzeil Franklin (Monterey Trail)
Amid all the well-deserved attention surrounding Monterey Trail’s 6-7 freshman DeVaughn Dorrough, who averages 19.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game, his teammate Ahzeil Franklin, a 6-5 senior, stole the spotlight in the 61-53 win over Redwood-Larkspur. Franklin wasted no time in making his mark, boasting two powerful dunks and four 3-pointers by halftime for a total of 23 points, the game’s highest.
After the game, he shared that he’d only had one game where he shot so well from downtown— their season opener. He attributed his hot streak to the excitement of competing in such a significant event, having averaged just 8.9 points per game prior to this standout performance.
5. Kellen Hampton (Moreau Catholic)
With his versatile scoring ability from inside, outside, and midrange, Hampton was nearly unstoppable as the Mariners surged to leads of 19-11 and 34-28 against Riverside Poly in the initial two quarters. The 6-7 wing, who has committed to the University of the Pacific, wrapped up the game with a remarkable 26 points, hitting 11 of 20 from the field and converting 3 of 6 from beyond the arc. Additionally, he tallied a game-high eight rebounds, along with three steals and a block.
6. Elliot and Thomas Conley (San Ramon Valley)
The senior 6-4 twins were virtually unstoppable during the pivotal third quarter of the Wolves’ 76-66 victory over Bishop O’Dowd, scoring all 17 points in that period as they seized control of the match. Elliot finished with a game-high 22 points, while Thomas contributed 19. Elliot, a two-year starter and key player for a team that has emerged as a Northern California powerhouse, showcased his skills with two dunks in the game.
Thomas, in his first year as a starter, is regarded as the glue that holds the team together, according to coach Brian Botteen. He complements the team’s best all-around player, Luke Issak, a UC Irvine signee, who added 18 points. In a post-game interview, Elliot mentioned that he and Thomas have likely played over 1,000 one-on-one games throughout the years.
7. Semetri Carr (Redwood)
The Cal-bound 6-1 guard, who recently transferred from Branson, has been eligible to play for only a month due to sitout rules but has made a smooth transition as a leader and clutch performer. He recorded 22 points in Redwood’s loss to Monterey Trail, scoring 10 in the second quarter after his team fell behind 15-8 in the first. Known for his strong ball-handling, accurate outside shooting, and capability in midrange, it’s clear why Mark Madsen prioritized signing him early.
8. Carondelet vs. Salesian girls
While it may be tough to top St. Joseph’s win over Modesto Christian for sheer intensity, Carondelet’s 66-65 triumph over Salesian was equally exhilarating, showcasing competitiveness and historical significance. Freshman Niylah Christopher (15 points), Layla Dixon (13 points, 12 rebounds), and point guard Sophia Ross (11 points) propelled Carondelet to coach Kelly Sopak‘s 500th career victory in his 20th season.
Following the seventh game of the day, the Carondelet players delighted Sopak by presenting him with colorful poster boards commemorating the landmark win. Salesian challenged them fiercely, with Vanessa Parilla scoring 19 points and twins Jamia and Janiya Sawyer contributing a combined 24 points, prompting nerves for Sopak, as he indicated in the postgame discussion.
9. Darius Wabbington/Ryder Portela (Sunnyslope)
The duo each scored 14 points, leading the Phoenix power from Arizona to a victory over California’s No. 9 team, De La Salle, 53-46. Clearly battle-tested and well-coached, the Vikings took charge in the second quarter and maintained their advantage throughout. Wabbington, a 6-10 sophomore with offers from Arizona State, Cal, Washington, LSU, and Maryland, made a three-pointer in the first half while exhibiting a tough yet skillful playstyle. Portela, standing at 6-6 and the son of esteemed head coach Ray Portela, showcased a full range of abilities on the court and humbly credited his teammates and opponents in his post-game remarks, despite possessing multiple Division 1 scholarship offers. (See interview below).
10. Salesian boys
It’s difficult to pinpoint a single standout player on Salesian, which explains their impressive 18-1 record this season and 50-3 record over the past two seasons. Coach Bill Mellis expertly rotates a disciplined, athletic, and unselfish group that prioritizes swift and efficient play. This was evident in their dominant 81-42 win over Clovis West. Leading the scoring for the team was sophomore Ronnie Selleaze, a transfer from Mexico (where his father played professionally), who netted 13 points, while Carlton Perrilliat, an All-Bay Area football receiver, added 12.
