SBLive All-California Boys Basketball 2023: Trent Perry, Jared McCain, Jason Crowe among headliners

Perry picked as the best player on best team to take Golden State's top prize; Top 50 players overall, best by grade and section in one-stop All-California shop

Author:
Mitch Stephens, SBLive Sports
Updated:
Apr 21, 2023 4:22 PM EDT
Original:
Apr 20, 2023

The best player on the best team.

It's a fairly simple formula most years for picking California's Player of the Year. One problem for the 2022-23 season is that the best team, CIF Open Division champion Harvard-Westlake, had such beautifully balanced and talented team.

On any given night, the Wolverines could be led in scoring by four or five different players, as told by Wolverines' coach David Rebibo immediately after his team's 76-65 state-title win over St. Joseph-Santa Maria at Golden 1 Center.

"I'm so incredible proud of this group," he said. "We showed character all year. We're selfless. We had a different leading scorer the majority of the nights. Great group. Great chemistry."

But we picked the one who seemed to stir that chemistry during every key moment of the banner, near-perfect 32-2 season: Trent Perry is SBLive's 2022-23 California boys basketball Player of the Year.

Trent Perry (0) nearly recorded a triple-double in the CIF State Open Division championship at Golden 1 Center.
Photo by Dennis Lee

Perry headlines a 50-player All-State team below that also feature POYs in each section, for each grade and adds 6-player teams for each year.

The 6-foot-4 junior guard, voted Most Valuable Player of the vaunted Mission League, averaged 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists a game.

Those aren't earth-bending numbers, but on this team, they were considerable.

In the state-title game, the long and slender do-everything Perry recorded an Open title-game record 10 assists to go with 16 points and eight rebounds.

He orchestrated a balanced, versatile squad that finished No.6 nationally. He made big shots and big plays all season, including scoring a game-high 25 in the Southern California Open Division final, a stunning 80-61 win at defending state champion and then No. 1 ranked Corona Centennial.

That night, he outdueled Jared McCain, the Los Angeles Times’ Player of the Year and a McDonald’s All-American, who scored 21 points.

Perry also edged McCain, Los Angeles Daily News Player of the Year Caleb Foster, of state champion Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), high-scoring Dougherty Valley guard Ryan Beasley, and St. Joseph super sophomore Tounde Yessoufou, for the Golden’s State’s top basketball prize.

It was a close call. But that, of course, where Perry seemed to shine brightest. At the end of quarters, halves and games. In the tightest of contests and circumstances, the constant state in Southern California basketball.

Considering Perry played with All-State performers Brady Dunlap, Jacob Huggins and sophomore Nikolas Khamenia, it would be easy for Perry to get lost.

Especially wearing the number “0.”

But it seemed he always delivered either with a big shot — from all three levels — rebound or pass. He also deflected numerous passes with a long reach and a quick first step. He’s been described as “crafty,” and “under control,” yet he wore his heart on his sleeve with demonstrative celebrations with teammates during winning time, which was often.

The team’s only losses were to Liberty of Henderson (Nev) 59-56 on Dec. 30 and 62-55 to St. John Bosco in pool play of the Southern Section’s Open Division playoffs, costing the Wolverines a shot to face Corona Centennial in the finals.

Perry went from having just one college offer before the season to 13 after, including ones from UCLA, USC, Oklahoma, Rice and Minnesota. His big improvement helped the Wolverines to completely turn around a 20-point loss to Centennial in the Southern Section finals of 2022 en route to the state title and No. 1 state ranking.

“He’s just a stud — a great kid, hard-worker, a big-time player who embraced all the moments, the most vital and most mundane,” Rebibo said. “It doesn’t surprise me (he’s picked as the Player of the Year). I’m so proud of him. He’s just grown up and evolved and bought into everything we’ve asked him to do. He’s a special, special player and person.”

Asked for details about Perry’s personality, Rebibo said. “Very smart, very funny and outgoing. He’s always smiling. He’s the guy everyone wants to be around. Again, just a special, special young man.”

Harvard-Westlake coach David Rebibo getting in ear of Trent Perry during big Southern Section playoff win over West Ranch. Photo: Nick Koza

Here are the remaining players joining Perry:

The 2022-23 SBLive All-California boys basketball team is a by-product of endless feedback, numerous evaluations and loads of fact checking.

It includes three teams of 10, a 20-person honorable mention list, Players of the Year in each section and for each year with an additional five-member teams for each grade.

It's rather exhaustive and just over a month after the state championships were completed.

We eyeballed and considered all the experts opinions in each region — see All-Area teams from other media outlets at bottom — contacted coaches, watched NFHS streams and of course used our own eyeballs and judgements to pick the squads.

They most certainly aren't perfect and we're not perfectly objective. By all means, if obvious omissions or differences of opinions, please let us know at mitch@scorebooklive.com

SBLIVE CALIFORNIA ALL-STATE TEAMS

First Team

F Marcus Adams, Narbonne, Sr.

The 6-8 senior and Kansas signee averaged 29 points, seven rebounds and five assists per game. Ranked the eighth best small forward in the country, Adams has 20 other offers.

G Ryan Beasley, Dougherty Valley, Sr.

USF-bound Ryan Beasley (13) constantly had his team soaring to new heights. Photo: Dennis Lee

The 5-11 senior point guard and USF-signee averaged 24.8 points per game and nearly seven rebounds per game, leading the state’s No. 11 team to a first NCS title.

G Jason Crowe, Lynwood, Fr.

Jason Crowe celebrates a state title with a net draped around his neck. He swished many a night during a historic freshman season.
Photo by Bodie DeSilva

Led his team to a historic state Division 5 title by averaging more than 34 points a game, scoring a freshman state record 1,295 points. A 6-3 guard already has offers from UCLA and Louisville.

F Jurian Dixon, St. Augustine, Sr.

Jurian Dixon (4) was a menace on the offensive boards for the San Diego Section Open champions. Photo: Justin Fine.

The 6-5 wing and San Diego Section Player of the Year led the state’s No. 10 team (28-5) with averages of 18.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.

F Brady Dunlap, Harvard-Westlake, Sr.

Brady Dunlap (11) poses after winning a state title with teammates Robert Hinton (2), Nikolas Khamenia (4) and Trent Perry (0). Photo: Dennis Lee.

Averaged team-best 17 points for the state champions and shot 47 percent for the field. The 6-8 wing has 13 college offers, including San Diego State, Arkansas, Kansas, Illinois and Notre Dame.

G Caleb Foster, Notre Dame-Sherman Oaks, Jr.

Strong, poised and no-nonsense, Caleb Foster powered through the gantlet of the Southern Section schedule to win the school's first state title. Photo: Brian Kimoto.

Absolutely dominated down the stretch, leading the Knights to their first state title, while scoring a state Division 1 game record 33 points in a 67-58 win over Granada-Livermore. The 6-4 combo guard averaged 21 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. He has another season before playing at Duke.

F Aaron McBride, Corona Centennial, Sr.

In the same game Aaron McBride (21) made the state's biggest play, here he muscles up for an inside hoop. Photo: Nick Koza.

Besides pulling off the Play of the Year — a steal and breakaway dunk at the buzzer in a 58-56 Southern Section Open Division title win over St. John Bosco — the 6-7 senior wing and LMU signee averaged 13.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and shot over 60 percent from the field.

G Jared McCain, Corona Centennial, Sr.

Jared McCain (right) had a brilliant career at Centennial while winning three straight Southern Section Open championships. Photo: Nick Koza.

The 6-2 point guard and Duke signee averaged 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists for the three-time defending Southern Section Open champion that finished 30-4 and ranked No. 10 nationally by SBLive.

G Dusty Stromer, Notre Dame-Sherman Oaks, Sr.

Dusty Stromer (4) is an explosive scorer but rarely forced things for the state Division 1 champions. Photo: Dennis Lee.

The 6-6 Gonzaga signee averaged 18 points and six rebounds for the state Division I champions. He had big games against some of the nation’s best with 32 points against Duncanville and 30 versus DeMatha.

F Tounde Yessoufou, St. Joseph-Santa Maria, So.

Tounde Yessoufou (24) is remarkably strong and agile with the ball for a sophomore. Photo: Dennis Lee.

The Central Section Player of the Year carried the Knights (28-7) to a Northern California Open Division title by averaging 27.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. The stout 6-6 wing had high games of 40 points, 23 rebounds, seven steals and four blocks. Ranked the No. 15 sophomore in the country, Yessoufou has seven college offers including UCLA and Arizona.

Second Team

F Bryce Bedgood, Valencia, Jr.

The Los Angeles Daily News’ Defensive Player of the year was pretty good on offense too, averaging 16.2 points to go along with 10.1 rebounds and 2.2 blocks for the state Division 4 championship. The 6-9 standout had 22 points (11 of 14 shooting), 13 rebounds and seven blocks in the state title game.

F Alec Blair, De La Salle, So.

A long, rangy 6-6 wing averaged 16 points, five rebounds and nearly two steals a game for the state’s 20th-ranked team (22-9). Also a national baseball recruit, Blair shot 52 percent from the field and is considered an elite defender.

G: BJ Davis, Modesto Christian, Sr.

The Sac-Joaquin Section’s Player of the Year averaged 18.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.9 steals per game for the Crusaders (27-7), who finished ranked No. 10 in the state. The 6-1 San Diego State-bound standout had 49 points against John Paul II and 38 versus St. Joseph.

F: Mike Davis Jr., San Joaquin Memorial, Sr.

The 6-7 standout was dominant throughout the season but particularly the postseason, leading the No. 22 Panthers (26-9) to their first state title. Davis had 17 points and 14 rebounds in the state-title win and was the Fresno Bee Player of the Year. He averaged 17 points and 11.5 rebounds per game.

G Keyon Kensie, Taft-Los Angeles, Sr.

Voted the Los Angeles City Most Valuable Player, the 6-7 Kensie averaged 24.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, leading the Toreadors to a City Open Division title. He has offers from New Mexico, San Diego and Washington State.

F Elzie Harrington, St. John Bosco, So.

The Trinity League Player of the Year averaged a team-best 15.3 points per game for the Southern Section Open Division finalists. Bosco ended No. 4 in the final state rankings thanks largely to the development of the 6-5 Harrington.

G Bronny James, Sierra Canyon, Sr.

A first-team talent/performer when healthy, the 6-3 all-around guard averaged 14.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game. The son of LeBron James missed seven games with a knee injury and was a McDonald’s All-American.

F Andrew Meadow, West Ranch, Sr.

The Foothill League MVP averaged 16.5 points and 8.1 rebound per game for the state’s No. 6 team that finished 29-3.

C Andrew McKeever, Granada, Sr.

The 7-foot post was absolutely dominating down the stretch, carrying the Matadors to a Northern California Division I title. The St. Mary's College bound post averaged better than 20 points, 13 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in the postseason.

F Sebastian Rancik, JSerra Catholic, Jr.

The 6-9 wing averaged 16.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and added 45 blocks for the Lions, earning a first-team nod on the All-Los Angeles Times squad. The nation’s No. 52 junior, according to 247Sports, has 11 college offers, including UCLA, Arizona State, USC, TCU and San Diego State.

Third Team

F Zach Davidson, Mater Dei, Sr.

Besides experience, leadership, the All-Trinity League player averaged 18 points per game for the 12th-ranked Monarchs (29-7)

F Mikah Ballew, Valencia, Sr.

Led state D4 champs in scoring at 20.2 points per game and named to All-Los Angeles Daily New team and All-CIF D4AA squad.

F Brandon Benjamin, Canyon, So.

The Orange County Register Player of the Year was a beast inside, playing much taller than his 6-5 frame. He averaged 23 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.

G Jake Hall, Carlsbad, So.

Averaged a staggering 26.4 points per game to go along with 6.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.5 steals per game for the 24-7 Lancers. Has scored more than 1,500 points in his career.

G Mercy Miller, Notre Dame, Jr.

Lights out shooter and scorer for state D1 champions who averaged 17.1 points per game. The 6-4 standout was also a very aggressive and good rebounder at 8.8 per game.

G Ryder Mjoen, Simi Valley, Jr.

The Los Angeles Daily News’ Offensive Player of the Year averaged 20.6 points leading his team to a share of the Coast Canyon League title. The 6-2 guard had high games of 41, 35 and 34 points.

F Derek Sangster, Archbishop Mitty, Sr.

The do-everything 6-7 standout averaged 17.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game and was named the West Catholic Athletic League Player of the Year. He’s headed to Princeton.

G Connor Sevilla, Dougherty Valley, Sr.

One of the most improved players on the list, his growth as a scorer, defender and ball hawk led the Wildcats to a state No. 11 ranking. The 6-1 guard averaged 21.9 points per game and teammed with Beasley to make one of the state’s top guard tandems.

G Andrej Stojakovic, Jesuit, Sr.

Like James, a first-team talent and McDonald’s All-American but missed 13 games due to an injury. The Stanford-bound 6-6 super shooter averaged 24.1 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.

G Money Williams, Oakland, Sr.

The San Francisco Chronicle’s East Bay Player of the Year led the Wildcats — the alma mater of Damian Lillard — to a first state title by averaging 17.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game.