Classic at Damien will showcase top high school basketball players, teams
One of the best high school basketball events on the West Coast will run from December 26-30 at the Classic at Damien in La Verne.
This year's edition will host 128 teams with eight divisions and eight different sites featuring teams from Washington, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Canada, and California from San Diego to Sacramento.
The crown jewel of the tournament is the Platinum Division, which will begin at Damien High on Dec. 27. The 16-team field includes SBLive's No. 1-ranked St. John Bosco, No. 4 Eastvale Roosevelt, No. 6 Corona Centennial, No. 11 Damien, No. 12 La Mirada, No. 17 Windward and No. 23 Heritage Christian.
Out-of-state programs American Fork (Utah), Owyhee (Idaho), Basha High and Sunnyslope from Arizona are primed to make noise, too. Richmond Salesian is 10-0.
Classic at Damien Platinum Division bracket.
The Gold Division is filled with a bevy of talent, too.
SBLive's No. 9 St. Pius, No. 10 Etiwanda, No. 13 Redondo Union, No. 14 St. Bernard and No. 24 West Ranch will compete in the event's second division.
Classic at Damien Gold Division bracket.
TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH
The most notable 2024 players that have already committed or signed to their respective college of choice are:
- G - Eric Freeny, Corona Centennial (UCLA)
- F - Carter Bryant, Corona Centennial (Arizona)
- G - James Evans, West Ranch (UNLV)
- G - Darnez Slater, Eastvale Roosevelt (Colorado St.)
- G - Liam Campbell, Owyhee (USC)
- F - Tyrone Riley, St. Pius (San Francisco)
The event will boast more than 100 players that've been offered by NCAA Division I schools. Here are the top names by class:
(players in bold indicate elite-level recruits)
- G - Brayden Burries, Eastvale Roosevelt, Jr.
- F - Tae Simmons, Heritage Christian, Jr.
- G - Amare Campbell, Etiwanda, Jr.
- F - Dillan Shaw, Heritage Christian, Jr.
- G - Gavin Hightower, Windward, Jr.
- G - Elzie Harrington, St. John Bosco, Jr.
- G - Aaron Glass, Rancho Cucamonga, Jr.
- G - Isaiah Johnson, Campbell Hall, Jr.
- G - EJ Spillman, Pacifica Christian/OC, Jr.
- G - Jaedyn Patterson, St. Monica Prep, Jr.
- G- Isaac Williamson, Eastvale Roosevelt, Jr.
- F - Max Adams, Gardena Serra, So.
- F - Tajh Ariza, St. Bernard, So.
- G - Jason Crowe Jr., Lynwood, So.
- G - Brandon McCoy, St. John Bosco, So.
- G - SJ Madison, Redondo Union, So.
- G - Josiah Nance, Heritage Christian, Fr.
- F - Chris Sanders, Redondo Union, Fr.
- F - Gene Roebuck, La Mirada, Fr.
CLASSIC HISTORY
The Classic at Damien has impressive alumni, including a number of players that are now in the NBA.
Evan Mobley of Rancho Christian won Platinum Division MVP in 2018 and 19. Mobley is now a foundational piece of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Sierra Canyon's Amari Bailey (Charlotte Hornets), Brandon Boston (Clippers) and Long Beach Poly's Peyton Watson (Denver Nuggets) all played in the 2019 event.
The 2018 Classic boasted Etiwanda's Jaylen Clark (Minnesota Timber Wolves), Chino Hills' Onyeka Okongwu (Atlanta Hawks) and Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks' Ziaire Williams (Memphis Grizzlies).
PREVIOUS PLATINUM WINNERS
- 2022: Liberty (Nev.)
- 2021: Corona Centennial
- 2019: Rancho Christian
- 2018: Rancho Christian
- 2017: Etiwanda
- 2016 (Gold): Mater Dei
