Mission League Boys’ Basketball: A Hotbed of Talent and Competition
The Mission League is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and talented leagues in boys’ basketball this season, with many considering it the equivalent of the Trinity League in football. Coaches and players alike are abuzz with excitement, citing the influx of transfers, promising freshmen, and the development of young players as key factors contributing to the league’s impressive depth.
Harvard-Westlake coach David Rebibo aptly described the talent in the league as “off the charts,” while Chaminade coach Bryan Cantwell exclaimed, “It’s absolutely ridiculous… We could have all eight teams potentially in the top 30 in Southern California.” With multiple teams boasting Division 1 players and potential NBA talent, fans are in for a treat as the league schedule kicks off in January.
A League Loaded with Talent and Coaching Expertise
Harvard-Westlake, the reigning seven-time league champion, remains a strong contender, but the coaching and talent across the league are so impressive that multiple teams could potentially win Southern Section titles. Every team except Harvard-Westlake has added transfer students, including notable additions like St. John Bosco senior Brandon McCoy to Sierra Canyon, 7-foot-3 Cherif Millogo to St. Francis, and 6-9 Sam Mbingazo returning to Bishop Alemany.
Sierra Canyon, in particular, could start a lineup comprised solely of transfers, featuring Maximo Adams, one of the best players in the class of 2026, and Brannon Martinsen, a 6-6 senior from JSerra. Sierra Canyon’s Maximo Adams hugs coach Andre Chevalier. (Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)
The league’s coaching expertise is equally impressive, with veteran coaches like Bryan Cantwell, Todd Wolfson, and Andre Chevalier, as well as former Lakers star Derek Fisher, who is in his third season at Crespi. Loyola’s first-year coach, Cam Joyce, and Bishop Alemany’s Mike DuLaney, who guided the team to a Division III state title in 2024, add to the league’s coaching depth.
A Southern California Basketball Landscape Rich in Talent
Beyond the Mission League, Southern California boasts an array of elite prospects, including Missouri-bound Jason Crowe Jr. of Inglewood, Kansas-bound Luke Barnett of Mater Dei, and high-scoring junior guard Gene Roebuck of La Mirada. Other notable players include Georgia Tech commit Kaiden Bailey of Santa Margarita, top sophomore transfers Evan Willis and Shalen Sheppard of Crossroads, and dynamic senior guard Josiah Johnson of Mayfair.
As the season unfolds, teams like Sierra Canyon, Santa Margarita, St. John Bosco, Redondo Union, Rolling Hills Prep, Harvard-Westlake, Corona Centennial, and Damien are poised to make significant waves in the basketball landscape. While the City Section has seen some of its top players transfer or graduate, Palisades is the preseason favorite with the arrival of the 6-6 Popoola twins, Elijah and Olujimi, juniors from Las Vegas.
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