San Gabriel Valley Boys Basketball Rankings Highlight Top Talent

The San Gabriel Valley boys basketball preseason rankings for the 2024-25 season have been released, showcasing a competitive lineup of teams. Topping the list is **La Mirada**, followed closely by **San Gabriel Academy** and **Pasadena**. These teams are poised to make significant impacts in their respective divisions as the season unfolds.

La Mirada Leads the Pack

**La Mirada** boasts a strong 2024-25 record of **25-7**, having reached the CIF-SS Open Division last season. The Matadores are led by **Gene Roebuck**, a standout junior and **reigning SGV Player of the Year**. Standing at **6-foot-5**, Roebuck is a four-star recruit with offers from prominent programs such as **UCLA**, **Arizona State**, and **Kansas**. Joining him are seasoned seniors **King Riley-Owens** and **Santiago Lopez**, a **6-foot-7** post player, along with **Andrew Castro** and **Dayquan Idemudia**, both measuring **6-foot-5** and **6-foot-7**, respectively. La Mirada also welcomes two impactful sophomores, **Jordyn Houston** and **Isaiah Durazo**, both standing at **6-foot-7** and **6-foot-5**.

San Gabriel Academy’s Championship Potential

In second place, **San Gabriel Academy** enters the season with a record of **21-13** and the title of **Division 3AA champions**. With aspirations to move up to Division 1, the team retains a powerful roster, including **Mahamadou Diop**, a **6-foot-11** junior center, and **Mohamed Toure**, a **6-foot-8** forward. Both players rank prominently among California’s top juniors according to **ESPN**, holding positions **7** and **15**, respectively. The team returns all five starters, including senior point guard **Marquise Humphreys** and versatile wing defender **Mamadou Traore**, who stands at **6-foot-4**.

**Pasadena** occupies the third spot in the rankings with a **19-8** record, having reached the second round of **Division 2A** playoffs. The team features a formidable duo: **Josh Irving**, a **7-foot** senior committed to **Texas A&M**, and senior guard **Timmy Anderson**, who previously averaged **31 points** per game at **Blair**. Anderson’s transfer to Pasadena is expected to enhance their already potent inside-outside game.

Other Notable Teams in the Rankings

**Damien** stands fourth with a **21-11** record, despite facing challenges after losing **Nate Garcia**, a **7-foot** senior, to a season-ending injury last year. The Spartans are set to rely on seniors **Eli Garner**, who averaged **16 points**, and point guard **Elijah Smith**. Freshman talents **Marcus Gholar** and **Jo Jo Mariles** will also be key contributors, alongside sophomore **CJ Murray**, a transfer from **Glendora**.

**Arcadia**, with a **17-12** record, ranks fifth and aims to contest Pasadena for the **Pacific League** title. Highlighted by **Eteuati Edwards**, a **6-foot-8** forward/center and USA Basketball invitee, the Apaches also benefit from the return of **Noa Eteuati Edwards** and **Mateo Ingersoll**, a **6-foot-7** senior.

**St. Francis** is making headlines after acquiring **Cherif Millogo**, a **7-foot-3** center from Burkina Faso, who is expected to elevate the team’s performance. Millogo, a four-star recruit, brings significant attention from college scouts. His presence will be complemented by sophomores **Luke Paulus** and **Stephan Karibyan**.

**La Habra**, with a **20-9** record, ranks seventh. Senior point guard **Acen Jimenez**, a **Dartmouth commit**, aims to lead the team following a successful previous season where he earned league MVP honors. The Highlanders hope to integrate talented freshmen **Aaron Wilson** and **Derek Soloway** into their lineup.

**Bishop Amat** follows in eighth place with a **23-6** record. The Lancers are bolstered by standout guard **Aiden Shaw**, who earned **Camino Real League MVP** honors. They return several key players and will add impactful transfers **Chris Blakely** and **Dominic Smith**.

**Los Altos** and **Maranatha** round out the top ten. Los Altos, with a **23-7** record, retains key players **Kevin Keshishyan** and **Kylen Kincy**, both of whom were league co-MVPs last season. Maranatha, at **17-18**, aims to build on their playoff success and returns promising players **George Pamilton** and **Harrison Harper**.

As the season progresses, these rankings will likely evolve, reflecting the dynamic nature of high school basketball in the San Gabriel Valley. Fans and scouts alike will be watching closely as these teams compete for championships and individual accolades.