Nine up North: SD teams head to Boys California Live
Year 2 of California's NCAA evaluation period sees the scene shift to the Sacramento suburb of Roseville, the site of the Boys California Live 2024.
The 168-team field includes nine teams from San Diego, including defending Open Division champions, Carlsbad, and runner up, Montgomery.
All of the games will be held at the Roebbelen Center, a 12-court facility that opened in 2020 and hosted the inaugural Girls California Live event in 2023.
In the final event before players return to their grassroots programs for the July evaluation periods, we look at the teams attending and what's at stake for the top prospects in attendance.
Who are the top San Diego prospects playing?
JJ Sanchez, 6-5 2025 F, Montgomery
Sanchez is probably the most polarizing prospect in some time in San Diego, in large part due to the sharp contrast in his production and his upside. The forward can dominate a high school game with his combination of skill, power, footwork and basketball IQ. But coaches wonder what level can he impact the game in college. Most recently, Westmont became the second school to offer him after Hawaii Pacific did last summer. This event will give Sanchez yet another opportunity to prove that the productivity translates to D2 and possibly higher.
Jake Hall, 6-3 2025 G, Carlsbad
Much like Sanchez, Hall has polarized college coaches, though many see him as firmly a Division 1 prospect, just split on the level. So far, he has netted more than a dozen offers from low- to mid-major programs, who see value in his shooting, passing and rebounding ability for a guard. Questions about whether he will be able to defend guards and wings at mid major level seem to be the biggest impediment to his stock rising beyond the mid major level. Hall, who led his team to a championship at Section 7 a year ago, will have a prime opportunity to showcase his defensive improvement in front of a host of coaches.
Tavid Lee Johnson, 6-2 2027 G, Francis Parker
Johnson made a big splash at last year's Boys California Live event, averaging 20+ points per game, and proved it wasn't an apparition by scoring nearly 25 points per game during his freshman campaign, the highest scoring average by a freshman since Mikey Williams in 2019. Johnson continued his stellar campaign with West Coast Elite 16u UAA team, where, despite often being two or three yeras younger than his opponents, had a big impact this spring. Now, there's talk that he could very well be one of the top prospects in the country in the 2027 class. This weekend gives him a chance to solidify that standing with coaches in attendance.
Devin Hamilton, 6-4 2025 W, Montgomery
I've always been very high on Hamilton's upside, especially as a defender whose versatility and athleticism are unique on the wing in San Diego. Arguably one of the best athletes in the region, it's the offensive side of the ball where coaches have wanted to see growth from him. Thus far, Hamilton's scoring has been confined to straight line drives and offensive put backs. But there will be a school willing to bank on developing the rest of his game, given that his athleticism and physical metrics give him such a great starting point.
CJ Aldrich, 6-0 2026 G, Rancho Buena Vista
Aldrich is one of the more naturally gifted scorers in San Diego, regardless of class, and has been since he started high school. A super crafty scorer with long arms and deceptive quickness, Aldrich showcased some added toughness scoring in the paint and on the defensive side of the ball at the UCSD Team Camp. He is one of those players who feel if he were a couple of inches taller would be a surefire D1 prospect, but will still have a chance to achieve it if he can continue to improve his athleticism and physicality when guarded by longer, tougher opponents.
Caleb Newton, 6-3 2026 G, Mission Bay
Of all the guards in San Diego, Newton is the one that has the most translatable physical metrics to the D1 level. A long, lanky and explosive athlete, Newton is a streaky scorer who is a volume shooter who, when he makes them, makes them in flurries. He is a very good rebounder for a guard, and can push the ball in transition where he is a solid creator for his teammates. Coaches would like to see him become more efficient of a scorer, as well as improve his effort level on both ends, where he drifts if the ball isn't in his hands or he isn't on the ball defensively. If he can continue to improve in those areas, he's got a chance to build on the momentum he generated this spring, when he reportedly received four D1 offers.
Richie Ramirez, 6-1 2027 PG, San Marcos
Ramirez gets an opportunity to cement himself as one of the top 2027 guards in California, and used the June team camp season to give a preview of why this is the case. A sturdy, physical lead guard who excels at getting into the paint and finishing or creating for teammates, Ramirez is also one of the top on-ball defenders in SD, regardless of class. There are questions about his ceiling as a prospect and his perimeter shooting from three can be streaky, but Ramirez can show coaches that the things he does well more than translate.
Jalen Williams, 6-2 2026 G, San Marcos
Williams is a smooth three-level scorer who makes scoring seem effortless. He has underrated strength that allows him to get to the paint and finish through contact, but does most of his damage from midrange and out, where his fluid shooting mechanics are on full display. The questions will be at the other end, where he has the tools to be a solid on-ball defender but must play with a more sustained effort level. But in terms of pure scorers, he's one of the best in San Diego - and beyond.
Alek Sanchez, 6-4 2025 G, Montgomery
Sanchez, a lanky lead guard prospect who plays at a methodical pace, excels at ball control and creativity as a passer. He has elite court vision and can deliver passes both in station or with the live dribble, and often they're of the jaw-dropping variety. He is a solid shooter off the catch and can score with his back to the basket if he has a size advantage, but the lefty struggles to score against length and athleticism in traffic or off the bounce, Sanchez is another prospect where the question becomes at what level will he be most effective. He's currently being tracked by D2 and NAIA programs.
Xair Mendez, 6-2 2025 G, Montgomery
The fourth rising senior on the Aztecs team, Mendez has a nice frame, underrated athleticism and is a tremendous scorer from each level. Right hand dominant, Mendez puts pressure on defenses by getting downhill to set up his potent mid-range pull-up or to get all the to the basket and finish through contact. Hes also a solid, albeit streaky, shooter off the catch with range out to the college three. An underrated defender, Mendez gives max effort on the ball and is deft at shooting the passing lanes for steals. The biggest area where coaches want to see growth is his decision making on the ball and his on-court maturity.
Clay Grebing, 6-7 2026 F, Mission Bay
Grebing has the size, length and skill set that translates to the modern game, as he shoots the ball at a solid clip from the perimeter, projecting to be a pick-and-pop four man at the next level. He came on strong for the Bucs down the stretch as a sophomore, averaging in double figures his final 10 games after recovering from an injury last year. He’s got as high a ceiling as any player on the list, but must become more assertive and consistent on offense to reach his ceiling.
Patrick O’Brien, 6-5 2025 G/F, Cathedral Catholic
O’Brien continues the theme of 2025 prospects that are polarizing about their long-term upside. From a skill perspective, O’Brien thrives as a drive-and-kick creator for his teammates and is a willing and unselfish passer with the live dribble. He likes to attack downhill, but doesn’t have an ideal first step so needs to get forward momentum to do it, which he often does after creating mismatches on ball screens. He scores it well off the catch or with his turnaround jumper off the dribble drive. If he can improve his lateral and vertical athleticism, it will unlock more of his gifts as a playmaker.
Steven Evans-Glynn, 6-5 2025 W, Cathedral Catholic
Evans-Glynn in many ways is a perfect complement to O’Brien, as he has athleticism to spare, but is somewhat raw from a ball skills and decision making perspective. But last weekend, he appeared to take a step forward handling the ball against pressure, initiating offense as a secondary ball handler, knocking down shots from the corners and playing under much more control. Evans-Glynn has been known for his motor and rebounding. If he continues to improve his ball skills, his stock will rise.
Who are the sleeper prospects coaches should look out for:
Jasper Buck, 6-2 2025 SG, La Costa Canyon - Elite shooter with improved ball skills
Abwola Ochalla, 6-5 2025 F, Mission Bay - Rapidly developing undersized four man who rebounds and is a physical finisher
Pablo Balderas, 6-6 2025 F, Mission Bay - Energetic bookend forward rebounds and can score in the paint
Trenton Mehl, 6-0 2026 G, Carlsbad - Sharpshooter and Jack of all trades type guard
Colton Kelley, 6-1 2025 G, San Marcos - Elite floor spacer and solid pull-up jumper
Elias Flaim, 6-1 2025 G, San Marcos - Shooter who is evolving as a playmaker
Ayden Horn, 6-5 2025 W, Rancho Buena Vista - wiry, high-energy forward who rebounds and can score it off the bounce
Matthew Horn, 6-4 2025 F, Rancho Buena Vista - Vastly improved utility forward does a bit of everything
Charlie Hoier, 6-5 2025 W, La Costa Canyon - Intriguing wing type has a fluid jump shot and can score from midrange and out.
Xavier Guerrero, 6-5 2026 F, Montgomery - Skilled and underrated big man can step out and shoot from the college three
Mason Jones, 6-7 2026 C, La Costa Canyon - Imposing post presence has soft hands and mobility
Max Meza, 6-1 2026 G, Cathedral Catholic - Combo guard can shoot and attack the basket physically off the bounce
Jackson McCall, 6-5 2027 WF, San Marcos - Unselfish, pass-first “point forward” type has developed ball skills, improving as a scorer.
Brady Berlucchi, 6-4 2027 W, La Costa Canyon - High-upside swingman prospect is a solid slasher and shooter.
Austin Brown, 5-7 2027 G, Coronado - High IQ and skilled lead guard who can fill it up from deep.
Game times:
All Games at Roebbelen Center, 700 Event Center Dr, Roseville, CA 95678
Montgomery (Pool 5 and 6)
vs St. Bernard, Friday 6:15 pm, Court 2
vs Notre Dame, Saturday 2:15 pm, Court 3
vs Moreau Catholic, Saturday 4:45 pm, Court 4
Carlsbad (Pool 9 and 10)
vs Crespi, Friday 6:15 pm, Court 8
vs Rancho Cucamonga, Saturday 2:15 pm, Court 8
vs Weston Ranch, Saturday 4:45 pm, Court 9
Cathedral Catholic (Pool 13 and 14)
vs Bishop O’Dowd, Friday 12 pm, Court 2
vs Crossroads, Saturday 8 am, Court 2
vs Chaminade, Saturday 10:30 am, Court 2
RBV (Pool 19 and 20)
vs Alameda, Friday 3:45 pm, Court 3
vs Calabasas, Saturday 8 am, Court 4
vs Bullard, Saturday 10:30 am, Court 4
LCC (Pool 23 and 24)
vs Democracy Prep (NV), Friday 8:45 pm, Court 9
vs Ygnacio Valley, Saturday 6 pm, Court 8
vs Woodcreek, Saturday 8:30 pm, Court 8
Parker (Pool 27 and 28)
vs Foothill, Friday 3:45 pm, Court 2
vs St. Monica, Saturday 9:15 am, Court 5
vs Franklin, Saturday, 11:45 am, Court 4
Mission Bay (Pool 29 and 30)
vs Monterey Trail, Friday 8:45 pm, Court 2
vs Liberty, Saturday 7:15 pm, Court 7
vs Los Alamitos, Saturday 9:45 pm, Court 8
San Marcos (Pool 33 and 34)
vs Oaks Christian, Friday 1:15 pm, Court 9
vs Valley Christian, Saturday 8 am, Court 10
vs Servite, Saturday 10:30 am, Court 10
Coronado (Pool 39 and 40)
vs Marin Catholic, Friday 12 pm, Court 6
vs San Juan Hills, Saturday 6 pm, Court 6
vs Saugus, Saturday 8:30 pm, Court 5
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