Hardy named STLB Socal Player of the Year

Signal The Light Basketball Southern California Player of the Year

CJ Hardy (West Los Angeles) “6-2” (Sophomore): Hardy had a sensational sophomore season for the Wildcats after transferring from City College of San Francisco. Hardy averaged 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game for the Wildcats in the 2023-2024 season. The guard shot 52% from the floor and made 42% of his three pointers for the co champion Wildcats. Hardy scored 20 or more points seventeen times (7 games in a row at one point), scored in double figures in 30 out of 31 games and had a season high of 30 points twice in his sophomore campaign. Hardy was 10th in the state in assists, 9th in scoring and 3rd in steals and helped lead his team to an elite eight appearance. The guard will attend Cal State Bakersfield next season as he has committed to the Roadrunners.

Signal The Light Basketball Southern California Co Coach of the Year:

Jeff Klein (Chaffey): Klein helped lead Chaffey to a 25-4 record in the 2023-2024 season and a Inland Empire Conference championship. The Panthers were one of the best teams in the state throughout the year and had one of the most high powered offenses in the state as Chaffey averaged 101.4 points per contest. Chaffey went 15-1 in conference play, were granted a 4th seed in the post season but suffered an early set back in the playoffs in the 2nd round against Saddleback.

Signal The Light Basketball Southern California Co Coach of the Year:

Chris Dugan (Cerro Coso): Dugan helped lead the Coyotes to a season to remember after posting a 25-7 record. Cerro Coso finished 3rd place in the Inland Empire Conference and the Coyotes made an appearance at the Elite Eight before falling to West Valley. Cerro Coso started the season winning their first eight games of the season and also had a six game winning streak during the season. In the post season, Cerro Coso picked up a wins against Los Angeles Trade Tech, San Bernardino and a road win over Citrus to make it to the Final Eight.

Signal The Light Basketball 1st team Southern California

G: CJ Hardy: (See above)

G: Dasean Stevens (Mt. San Jacinto) “6-3” (Sophomore): The sophomore standout had a solid season in his second season for the Eagles. Stevens averaged 21.5 points 7.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists in his sophomore season and helped lead Mt. San Jacinto to a 27-4 record and 2nd round appearance in the Southern California Playoffs. Stevens shot 48% from the floor and 40% from downtown while shooting 80% from the line as well. Stevens scored in double figures 30 times, scored 20 or more points nineteen times, scored 30 or more points five times and had a season high of 37 points against Victor Valley in conference action. Stevens was 1st team all conference in the Inland Empire Conference and ended the season 5th in the state in points per game, and 2nd in the state in overall points.

F: Alex Crawford (San Diego) “6-8” (Sophomore): Crawford had a standout season for the Knights in his sophomore season. The forward helped lead the Knights to an elite eight appearance and a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference championship after averaging 15.6 points and 6.3 rebounds. Crawford shot 66% from the floor and 43% from downtown and was a first team all conference selection for the Knights. Crawford scored in double figures in 25 games, scored over 20 points or more eight times and had a season high of 29 points against Cuyamaca. Crawford also had eleven games this season where he shot over 70% from the floor in a game. The forward was 5th in the state in field goal percentage and 20th in the state in blocked shots. The sophomore is actively being recruited by many division one schools and is expected to commit in the future.

F: Nick Hopkins (Mt. San Antonio): Hopkins had a standout season for the Mounties and helped lead Mt. San Antonio to a 25 win season and a South Coast North Conference championship. Hopkins averaged 20.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in his sophomore season. The forward shot 57% from the floor and was named Player of the Year in the South Coast North Conference for the 2023-2024 season. Hopkins scored in double figures 26 times, scored 20 or more points thirteen times and had a season high of 38 points against Chaffey. Hopkins had 13 double doubles and had a season high of 19 rebounds against Santiago Canyon. The forward from San Bernardino was 19th in the state in offensive rebounds, first in free throw makes and attempts, and was 10th in the state in points per game. Hopkins is expected to be at the four year level next season as he is another player in California that is floating under the radar.

C: Jamaal Unuakalu (Moorpark) “6-7” (Sophomore): The sophomore helped lead Moorpark to a Western State North Conference championship and a 22 win season. Unuakalu averaged 14.5 points and 10.7 rebounds in his sophomore season for the Raiders. Unuakalu shot 57% from the floor, was 7th in the state in rebounds per game, 4th in blocks and 23rd in field goal percentage in the 2023-2024 season. Unuakalu scored over 20 points six times during the season, scored in double figures twenty three times and was in double figures in rebounding eighteen times. Unuakalu posted 17 double doubles in his sophomore season and had a season high of 19 rebounds against Cuesta. The sophomore was defensive Player of the Year in the Western State North Conference and should be on many division one radars with his tremendous upside.

Signal The Light Basketball 2nd Team Southern California

G – Mylo Santos (Allan Hancock) “6-3” (Sophomore): Santos was a key piece for the Bulldogs in his sophomore season after transferring from Porterville College. The guard from Washington Heights, NY averaged 17.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game in his sophomore season for the Bulldogs. Santos shot 53% from the floor and 35% from downtown and helped lead the Bulldogs to a 24-7 season. The guard was named to the Western State North Conference all conference team and scored in double figures in 28 games in the 23-24 season. Santos scored 20 or more points eleven times and had a season high of 28 points against Hartnell. The sophomore also posted an 18 rebound game in the playoffs against Santiago Canyon and was one of the premier guards in the state. Santos will be playing at the four year level and as of yesterday he did receive an offer from Fresno Pacific and more offers should be on their way of the talented guard.

G- Kjay Bradley (San Diego) “6-1” (Sophomore): The sophomore guard was a big reason why the knights were a standout team in the state in the 23-24 season. The point guard averaged 17.2 points, 5.5 assists and 3.4 rebounds per contest and was named the Player of the Year in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference. Bradley shot 47% from the floor and 40% from downtown and led the Knights in scoring. The sophomore guard scored in double figures 29 times and scored over 20 points nine times, and had a season high of 41 points against Palomar in conference play. Bradley was 1st in the state in steals, 4th in assists and 22nd in the state in total points in his sophomore season. The sophomore is being recruited by many universities across the nation and should have a decision in the near future.

G Jeremiah Davis (Fullerton) “6-4” (Sophomore): Davis has been a standout name in the state for the past two seasons and nothing was different this season as the wing had a terrific season for the Hornets. The sophomore averaged 13.9 points and 4.1 rebounds in his second season and one of the best defenders in the state. The wing shot 49% from the floor and 37% from downtown in his sophomore season and was named to the Orange Empire All Conference team. Davis scored in double figures 17 times, scored over 20 points seven times and had a season high of 28 points against Santa Ana in conference action. Davis was the 8th ranked player in the nation by juco.recruiting.com and will be playing at the four year level next season.

G: Marcus Green (Chaffey) “6-3” (Sophomore): The guard had a spectacular season for the Panthers and is one of the most exciting players in the state. Green averaged 17.0 points and 3.6 rebounds for the high scoring Panthers in the 2023-2024 season. The Player of the Year in the Inland Empire Conference shot 57% from the floor as a guard, 39% from downtown and had plenty of dunks this season that would make you leave your seat. Green scored in double figures in 24 games, scored 20 or more points seven times and had a season high of 32 points against Victor Valley. The guard helped lead the Panthers to a Inland Empire Conference title and a 25-4 record this past season.

F: Kobe Smith (MiraCosta) “6-5” (Sophomore): Smith had a standout sophomore season after leading the Spartans in scoring in the 2023-2024 season. The forward averaged 17.5 points and 6.1 rebounds and helped lead MiraCosta to a 19-10 record and a playoff appearance. Smith shot 46% from the floor and scored in double figures in 26 games in his 2nd season for the Spartans. The sophomore also scored 20 or more points eleven times and scored a season high of 30 points in the playoffs against Cerritos. Smith had four double doubles on the season and was named to the all conference team in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference.

Signal The Light Basketball Honorable Mention Southern California

Noah Haaland (Allan Hancock), Assad Madassalia (Allan Hancock), Taevon Pierre-Louis (Allan Hancock), Tre Hawkins (Antelope Valley), Malachi Jones (Antelope Valley), Tyler Silver (Bakersfield), Elijah Williams (Bakersfield), Derek Eide (Barstow), Jonah El-Farra (Canyons), Mason Savery (Canyons), Taeo Thomas (Cerritos), Cameron McCoy (Cerritos), Earl Clark (Cerritos), Earl Clark (Cerritos), Everett May (Cerritos), Miles Ceballos (Cerritos), Destin Jenkins (Cerro Coso), Darnell Tuner Jr. (Cerro Coso), Sincere Edwards (Cerro Coso), Malachi Greenwich (Cerro Coso), Shaden Knight (Chaffey), Brody Davis (Chaffey), Tyrel Creger (Citrus), Jake TenBerge (Compton), Malvin Payero (Compton), Drew Ardouin (Cuesta), Jordan Montgomery (Copper Mountain), Xaiver Rubio (Cuyamaca), Jonathan Duley (Cuyamaca), PJ Brinkman (Cuyamaca), Mark Onyejekwe (Cypress), Allen Wright (Cypress), Isaiah Goad (Desert), Jermayn Baxter (Desert), Jalai Okeith (East Los Angeles), Brandon Wilson (East Los Angeles), Gregory Melvin (East Los Angeles), Billy Ray Barnes (El Camino), RJ Banks (Fullerton), Amound Anderson (Fullerton), Godfrey Little (Fullerton), Jaden Byers (Fullerton), Powel Mouusain (Glendale), Elijah Groves (Glendale), Abiel Pearl (Glendale), Noel Camejo (Golden West), Soma Doherty (Golden West), Amari Leflore (Grossmont), Tahj Comeaux (Imperial Valley), Taieem Comeaux (Imperial Valley), Luke Farrington (Irvine Valley), Roman Swizek (Irvine Valley), Jesse Stines (Irvine Valley), GD Deng (Los Angeles Pierce), Keshawn Christian (Los Angeles Pierce), Martice Mitchell (Los Angeles Southwest), Omarion Shackleford (Los Angeles Southwest), Chidi Obichere (Los Angeles Southwest), Joel Baez (Los Angeles Southwest), Justin Haynes (Los Angeles Southwest), Romero Hutchinson (Los Angeles Trade Tech), Devon Jainlett (Los Angeles Trade Tech), Omari Ferguson (Los Angeles Trade Tech), Yah Humphrey (Los Angeles Valley), Khalil Forrester (Los Angeles Valley), Brandon Cerda (Long Beach), Luke Olmstead (Los Angeles City), Chasen Stewart (Los Angeles City), Donovan Freeman (MiraCosta), Dylan Cabs (MiraCosta), Kai Burdick (MiraCosta), CJ Fisher (Mt. San Antonio), Mikah Gardner (Mt. San Antonio) Jack Beyshek (Moorpark), Jackson Bernardo (Mt. San Jacinto), Isiah Shirley (Mt. San Jacinto), Elijah Shirley (Mt. San Jacinto), BJ Brown (Mt. San Jacinto), Isaiah Skinner (Mt. San Jacinto), Cody Aquino (Orange Coast), Sam Hunter (Orange Coast), Josh Govett (Orange Coast), Noah Del Rio (Oxnard), Teren Smith (Palo Verde), Malik Russell (Palo Verde), Kamari Johnson (Palo Verde), Kryztian Walton (Palomar), Thomas Marcus (Palomar), Spivey Word (Palomar), Myles Watkins (Pasadena), Shant Chenorhavorian (Pasadena), Deen Abdur-Rahmann (Pasadena), Marcus Middleton (Rio Hondo), Bilal Mike (Rio Hondo), Bryant Handley (Rio Hondo), Darius McClain (Riverside), Tomi Adesiji (Riverside), John McFadden (Saddleback), James Burries (Saddleback), Sylis Gray (San Bernardino), Malachi Owens (San Bernardino), Michael Miller (San Bernadino), Keavie Love (San Diego), Al Green (San Diego), Dexter Stratton (San Diego), Steve Stinson (San Diego Mesa), Markees Williams (San Diego Miramar), Mike Batchelor (San Diego Miramar), Truman Teuber (Santa Barbara), Isaiah Hicks (Santa Barbara), Jahveon Medearis (Santa Monica), Elijah Scranton (Santa Monica), Thomasi Gilgeous-Alexander (Santa Monica), Damien Parker (Santiago Canyon), Kai Smith (Santiago Canyon), Quinten Vella (Southwestern), Carter Alexander (Ventura), Caleb Gilbert (Ventura), Isaiah Daniel (West Los Angeles), Blake Lander (West Los Angeles), Marland Harris (West Los Angeles).