NCAA Tournament players who were California high school basketball stars

A look at which former California prep stars are now helping their respective college programs in the 2025 tourney — and maybe, your NCAA Tournament bracket, too.

Jan 20, 2024; Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; New Mexico Lobos guard Donovan Dent (2) dunks the ball in the second half against the Air Force Falcons at Clune Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images / Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

March Madness is here, and the stage only gets bigger in college — especially in the NCAA Tournament.

Despite the brighter lights, bigger arenas and louder crowds, most of these former California high school basketball standouts were stars in their own right.

The following list includes All-State, All-Section and All-American players that were big-time players in high school, but are now helping their respective college programs survive and advance in this year's 2025 NCAA Tournament.

The list is separated into two categories: SoCal standouts and NorCal standouts.

SOCAL STANDOUTS

1. Donovan Dent, Corona Centennial (NEW MEXICO)

Mar 22, 2024; Memphis, TN, USA; New Mexico Lobos guard Donovan Dent (2) dribbles against Clemson Tigers center PJ Hall (24) during the first half of the NCAA Tournament First Round at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images / Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Dent has emerged as one of college basketball's best guards after being named Mountain West Conference Player of the Year. The standout junior is averaging 20.6 points and 6.4 assists per game for No. 10 New Mexico.

At Centennial, he averaged 16.2 points and 6.6 assists per game as a senior en route to a CIF State Open Division title in 2022.

2. Brandon Whitney, Alemany (MONTANA)

Dec 20, 2022; Spokane, Washington, USA; Montana Grizzlies guard Brandon Whitney (12) against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images / James Snook-Imagn Images

Whitney was just named Big Sky Tournament MVP. The former Alemany standout is averaging 9.5 points per game for the Grizzlies, who are the No. 14 seed in this year's dance.

Whitney has played 150 career games at Montana, a rarity in today's college basketball era.

3. Caleb Foster, Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks (DUKE)

Mar 14, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Caleb Foster (1) scores in the first half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Foster led Notre Dame to a CIF State Division I title in 2023, scoring 33 points in the championship game to cap off a season where he averaged 21 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.

Foster has played in 33 games this season for No. 1 Duke and is averaging 5.0 points per game in his sophomore campaign.

4. Carter Bryant, Corona Centennial (ARIZONA)

Mar 4, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Carter Bryant (9) dunks the ball during the first half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images / Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Bryant was a 2024 McDonald's All-American at Centennial where he averaged 17 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.

He's played in 34 games for the No. 4-seeded Wildcats and is averaging 6.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. He's shooting an impressive 50% from the field and 38% from downtown.

5. Reese Waters, St. Bernard (SAN DIEGO ST.)

Feb 24, 2024; Fresno, California, USA; San Diego State Aztecs guard Reese Waters (14) dribbles the ball in front of Fresno State Bulldogs guard Isaiah Pope (21) in the second half at the Save Mart Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images / Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Waters, a transfer from USC, was an All-CIF player at St. Bernard ... and is now averaging 9.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game for the No. 11 Aztecs.

6. Kylan Boswell, Corona Centennial (ILLINOIS)

Mar 13, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) shoots during the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images / Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Boswell was a standout at Corona Centennial where he led the Huskies to a CIF Southern Section Open Division title along side Jared McCain.

Boswell ended up transferring to AZ Compass Prep in Arizona. He spent two years at U of A before transferring to Illinois where he currently averages 11.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game for the No. 6 Illini.

7. Lamont Butler, Riverside Poly (KENTUCKY)

Butler was an All-CIF and All-State performer while at Poly before going on to play for San Diego State where he would go on to make the game-winning shot in the 2023 Final Four that send the Aztecs to the championship game.

Butler is now a graduate student at No. 3-seeded Kentucky where he's averaging more than 11 points per game.

8. Skyy Clark, Heritage Christian (UCLA)

Clark was a standout at Heritage Christian in his freshman and sophomore years, averaging 20-plus points per game. He later ended up at Montverde Academy as a senior.

After time at Illinois and Louisville, he landed back in Los Angeles at UCLA with coach Mick Cronin. Clark has started 32 games and is averaging 8.0 points per game. The Bruins are the No. 7 seed.

9. Malik Moore, Heritage Christian (MONTANA)

Moore was a McDonald's All-America nominee in 2022 at Heritage Christian after averaging 13 points per game. The 6-foot-5 guard was at Pepperdine his freshman and sophomore seasons before transferring to Montana.

At Montana, he's averaging 12.8 points per game for the No. 14 Grizzlies.

10. Dusty Stromer, Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks (GONZAGA)

Feb 15, 2025; Spokane, Washington, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Dusty Stromer (4) controls the ball against Pepperdine Waves guard Jaxon Olvera (10) in the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images / James Snook-Imagn Images

Stromer was a four-year standout at Notre Dame, which was capped with a CIF State Division I title his senior year — with Caleb Foster.

Stromer has played in 35 games for No. 8 Gonzaga and is averaging 4.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and shooting 40% from the field.

11. Dylan Andrews, Windward (UCLA)

Andrews starred at Windward School in Los Angeles before transferring to AZ Compass Prep in Arizona.

Andrews has been a staple to the Bruins' defense and pace, averaging

12. Justin Rochelin, Heritage Christian (UC San Diego)

Rochelin was a 3-star prospect at Heritage Christian before committed to Arizona State. He then spent two seasons at Oregon State before landing back in SoCal with the No. 12 Tritons.

Rochelin has played in 34 games and is averaging 6.7 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.

13. Justin Pippen, Michigan (Sierra Canyon)

Dec 29, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Justin Pippen (10) is defended by Western Kentucky Hilltoppers guard Enoch Kalambay (23) in the first half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

The son of NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen, Justin prepped at Sierra Canyon where he blossomed into an All-CIF player that averaged 16 points, 4.9 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game.

He's played in 28 games for the No. 5 Wolverines this freshman campaign and has a season high of 10 points.

14. Mercy Miller, Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks (HOUSTON)

Miller averaged 30 points per game at Notre Dame Sherman Oaks in his senior season, and led the Knights to a CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship. His junior year, he was teammates with Dusty Stromer and Caleb Foster.

As a freshman for No. 1-seeded Houston, Miller has played in 20 games and has a season-high of 12 points.

15. Ashton Hardaway, Sierra Canyon (SAINT MARY'S)

Hardaway, the son of Penny Hardaway, was at Memphis for his freshman year before landing with the Gaels as a sophomore. At Sierra Canyon he played alongside Bronny James.

He's played in 31 games for No. 7 Saint Mary's.

16. Trent Perry, Harvard-Westlake (UCLA)

Perry won two straight CIF State titles with Harvard-Westlake and was a McDonald's All-American in 2024.

Perry has seen action in 30 games for the Bruins this season.

17. Brady Dunlap, Harvard-Westlake (ST. JOHN'S)

Dunlap was part of Harvard-Westlake's first CIF State Open Division title in 2023 before signing to St. John's to play for Rick Pitino.

Dunlap has seen action in 10 games this season and is very good in those 10 games, averaging 6.2 points and shooting 51% from the field.

NORCAL STANDOUTS

18. Aidan Mahaney, Campolindo (CONNECTICUT)

Mar 1, 2025; Providence, Rhode Island, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Aidan Mahaney (20) dribbles against the Providence Friars during the first half at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images / Eric Canha-Imagn Images

The 6-3 guard led Campolindo to a California (CIF) state D3 title as a freshman and earned All-State first-team honors as a senior. Spent two years at St. Mary’s College, where he averaged 13.9 points per game as both a freshman and sophomore before transferring to the Huskies as a junior. 

In 29 games, he’s averaging 4.7 points while coming off the bench for the 23-10 Huskies, who are the No. 8 seed in the West Regional and will face Oklahoma in a first-round game.

19. BJ Davis, Modesto Christian (SAN DIEGO STATE)

Dec 21, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; San Diego State Aztecs guard BJ Davis (10) dribbles against California Golden Bears guard Christian Tucker (22) during the first half at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The 6-2 guard was a four-star recruit out of Modesto Christian, who he averaged 17.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.2 steals per game in his final two seasons. He led the Crusaders to a state title game as a junior. 

As a sophomore, Davis is the Aztecs’ third-leading scorer at 9.0 points per game while shooting 37% on three-pointers and 78% from the line.

20. Money Williams, Oakland (MONTANA)

At the same school that produced Damian Lillard, Williams averaged 20.2 points per game as a junior and 17.4 points as a senior, leading the Wildcats to a California (CIF) D3 championship, the first and only state crown in 2023.  

Much like Lilliard, he’s blossomed into a better college player than most expected, averaging a team-best 13.3 points per game to go along with 106 assists (also a team high), along with 121 rebounds and 38 steals.

21. Chance McMillian, Jesse Bethel (TEXAS TECH)

After playing three seasons at St. Patrick-St. Vincent, McMillan transferred to Jesse Bethel in Vallejo and averaged 28.8 points per game in conference play and was named the Tri-County Athletic League Stone Division MVP. 

After three seasons at Grand Canyon, the 6-3 senior guard is averaging 14.2 points per game, third on the team, while shooting a team best .434 on three-pointers.

22. Darrion Williams, Destiny Christian Academy (TEXAS TECH)

Mar 13, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Darrion Williams (5) drives to the basket around Baylor Bears guard Jayden Nunn (2) during the first half at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images / William Purnell-Imagn Images

Played two seasons for the Destiny Christian (previously named Capital Christian) and averaged 11.2 points and 7.8 rebounds as a sophomore. Played two seasons at Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) and played his freshmen college season at Nevada, where he was Mountain West Freshman of the Year. 

The 6-6, 225-pound junior is second on the team averaging 14.3 points per game and is second on the team in rebounds (5.2). He earned All-Big 12 first-team honors in 2024-25.

OTHERS ON NCAA TOURNAMENT TEAM ROSTERS

Brandon Angel, Torrey Pines (OREGON)

Joaquim ArauzMoore, Branson (Gonzaga)

Devon Arlington, San Marcos (YALE)

Addison Arnold, Royal (ARIZONA)

Luke Barnett, Piedmont (SAINT MARY'S)

Neal Begovich, St. Ignatius (DUKE)

Cade Bennett, Campolindo (SAINT MARY'S)

Nate Bittle, Prolific Prep (OREGON)

Dennis Evans, Hillcrest (GRAND CANYON)

Eric Freeny, Corona Centennial (UCLA)

Kevin Gad, Granada (SAINT MARY'S)

Hayden Gray, Santa Fe Christian (UC SAN DIEGO)

Caedin Hamilton, St. Joseph (MARQUETTE)

Ashton Hardaway, Sierra Canyon (SAINT MARY'S)

Christian Horry, Harvard-Westlake (UCLA)

Chris Howell, Torrey Pines (UC SAN DIEGO)

Spencer Hubbard, Harvard-Westlake (DUKE)

Dishon Jackson, St. Patrick-St. Vincent (IOWA STATE)

Luke Jacobson, Mission Prep (MARQUETTE)

Jaden Karuletwa, Village Christian (ARKANSAS)

Mikey Lewis, Prolific Prep (SAINT MARY'S)

Will Kuykendall, St. Joseph (ARIZONA)

Evan Manjikian, Sierra Canyon (UCLA)

Camden McCormick, Francis Parker (UC SAN DIEGO)

Andrew McKeever, Granada (SAINT MARY’S)

Luke Murphy, Heritage Christian (COLORADO ST.)

Jamari Phillips, Modesto Christian (OREGON)

Andrew Warren, Lincoln-Stockton (OREGON)

Devin Williams, Corona Centennial (UCLA)

Makaih Williams, Capistrano Valley Chrisitan (GRAND CANYON)

Dillon Wilhite, Cathedral Catholic (KANSAS)

Dexter Akanno, Valencia (UTAH STATE)

Ian Martinez, JSerra (UTAH STATE)

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