Hidden Gems: The Full-Time Hoops Freshman Report
At first glance, the incoming crop of freshman prospects might not look as strong as the top of the Class of 2027 or as deep as the 2026 class.
But that's not to say that the 2028 class doesn't have talent -- or long-term potential.
A number of 2028 prospects are poised to have an impact at programs outside of the Top 10, a departure from the past three seasons, which saw a number of freshmen contribute right away at Division 1 and Open Division squads.
There are also players who will have to wait their turn to don varsity jerseys, but will become household names in the years to come.
Here's my look at this year's freshman class.
Who is at the top of the class?
This year's doesn't have the signature top-end prospect that enters their career with Division 1 offers in tow. In fact, only one 2028 prospect has a reported offer at any level: Mission Bay PG Lucky Davis. Davis, the youngest brother of former Buccaneers legend Justin Moore, doesn't figure prominently in this year's plans for Mission Bay, as the team is deep with upperclassmen, but make no mistake that Davis, who was offered by CSU San Marcos this summer, will eventually be the face of the program.
Francis Parker guard Columbus Palmer gives the Lancers a top player in the class for a second straight year after Tavid Lee Johnson was named freshman of the year following his huge first-year campaign. Palmer won't be asked to have the same offensive impact as Johnson, but should be a starter from Day 1 and will play a significant role in the wake of CIF's denying Maranatha Christian transfer Ezekiel Walker's eligibility.
Mater Dei Catholic adds intrigue to the 2028 picture with the recent addition of 6-7 F Desmond Aniagyei, a wiry but athletic and mobile big who should figure immediately into the Crusaders rebuild plans and play alongside 6-8 senior Davaughn Hueitt at times.
Mission Hills W Daxton Hyde has the pedigree (his brother, 6-11 Cyprian Hyde, was a standout at Vista and currently plays at Virginia Military Institute) and at 6-3 -- and growing -- could wind up being a high-level prospect in his own right, if he doesn't choose baseball, where he is also a high-level prospect.
Victory Christian brings in high-scoring guard Troy Tominna, a 6-1 combo guard who cut his teeth this summer playing up three grade levels with the South Bay Show 17u squad. It remains to be seen how much time he'll get at the varsity level this season, as Victory is pretty deep at his position, but he could provide them microwave scoring in limited minutes.
Carlsbad has its face of the future in 6-1 lead guard Braxton Rolf, who will play on the JV level to start. But his combination of size and scoring prowess makes him one of the class' top prospects.
And at Christian HS, 5-11 point guard Anthony Lee has a chance to play major minutes on a retooled Patriots squad that should figure into the Division 2 title race. In the middle of a major growth spurt, the physical aspect of the game is starting to catch up to his advanced feel and skill set.
Immediate returns: Who will contribute right away on the varsity level?
The 2028 group has a number of players who will contribute right away on the varsity level that aren't yet household names. Two to look out for in the City Conference are 6-5 Isaac Hudson, who has been logging starter's minutes this fall for University City, and 6-2 W Ah'Mahn Oliver, who projects as a starter from Day 1 at Coronado High.
Both players caught my attention at the annual 3P Creme of the County Open Run and main event this year, Hudson so much so that he made the rare jump from the Open Run to the top freshman game.
In North County, Vista sports a pair of physically mature guards who will likely be rotation guys immediately for the Panthers in 6-1 Amari Mitchell and 6-1 Aiden Canales. Mitchell, a wiry lefty scorer, and Canales, a well-built combo guard with sneaky ball skills.
The East County has a number of freshmen who could make a huge splash in Year 1, including Helix sharpshooter Trey Cavazos, Monte Vista's Jaren Wright, Garret Tully and Daesean Jenkins, Valhalla's Andrew Mikhail and Santana's Trystan Billinger, who is a sleeper prospect.
Other players likely to contribute early: Jerrell Wells-Shorts, Steele Canyon; Blake Murphy, Clairemont; Eldren Vergara and Cameron Perez, Morse; Brandon Rosales, Bonita Vista; Christian Borja, Southwest SD; Arthur Minton, Kearny; Kyden Martin, Montgomery; Canon Palmquist, San Pasqual; Donovan Cronkhite, Tri-City Christian.
Who has the best freshman classes?
This year, one school has the deepest collection of 2028 prospects and it's not close: San Marcos.
The Knights have it all in their loaded freshman class: size (6-5 twins Ryan and Kyle Jacobs and 6-3 Isaiah Hill); guard play (5-10 G Aiden Abelardo and 5-7 G Marcus Tuason) and versatility (6-2 Aarav Sobti is a sleeper). Dante Carey's group boasts four other freshmen 6-4 or taller. If this group stays together, San Marcos is set up for a nice run of Open Division appearances.
St. Augustine has an intriguing freshman class, with much of the intrigue surrounding 6-8+ Gustavo Tellez, who hails from Mexico. He gives the Saints something they haven't had in at least three seasons: size, but with solid ball skills. 5-10 guard Kai Blue, who played some minutes in the Saints two games at the LSBA Fall Shootout, looks to figure prominently in the Saints rotation next season. Two other guards who have impressed Mike Haupt early on are 5-6 Jace Anderson and Luciano Fiorentini, who Haupt said has Ginobli-esque instincts.
Monte Vista has three freshmen who will immediately contribute - and likely start - for the Monarchs, who graduated nearly 90 percent of its production from last season's Division 3 runner up. 6-1 Garret Tully (the youngest son of HC Mike Tully), 6-1 Jaren Wright and guard Daesean Jenkins comprise one of the more underrated freshman groups countywide.
Mission Bay's trio of Davis, 6-4 Aydin Lundstrom and burly 6-5 post Cullen Finch give Marshawn Cherry yet another solid nucleus to build around over the next four years.
And Rancho Bernardo's freshman class features a trio of skilled, physical prospects who impact the game on offense and defense: 5-10 G Jacob Webb, 6-2 W Tyler Johnson and 6-0 G Damiano Giannola.
