LeBron's youngest son Bryce James, Campbell Hall among newcomers at 26th De La Salle MLK Classic, presented by SBLive

De La Salle announces field for star-studded event, which features return of Tounde Yessoufou, NorCal Open champion St. Joseph-Santa Maria and runner-up Modesto Christian

A year after one of the most watched and exciting De La Salle Martin Luther King Jr. Classic in its quarter-century history, organizers wondered what they could do for an encore.

Bringing back many from the star-studded teams was a great start.

Adding “The King” Jr. was an added bonus.

No, LeBron James won’t be playing in the 26th annual high school event, sponsored by SBLive Sports. But he might be in attendance because his son Bryce James recently transferred to Campbell Hall-North Hollywood, which is one of seven new teams added to the event that is scheduled for Jan. 15, 2024.

Bryce Young (5) tries to fire up his older brother Bronny (0) in a playoff win over Etiwanda on March 23. Photo: Nick Koza / Photo by Nick Koza

De La Salle athletic director and co-tournament director Leo Lopoz released the 16 teams on Tuesday. Pairings of the eight games will be determined in the fall.

The returning teams: Bishop O’Dowd, Capital Christian, De La Salle, Jesuit-Carmichael, Modesto Christian, Moreau Catholic, Riordan, Salesian-Richmond and St. Joseph-Santa Maria.

The new squads: Branson-Ross, Campbell Hall, Clovis North, Folsom, Notre Dame Prep-Scottsdale (Ariz.), Oakwood, Redwood-Larkspur.

That’s two more teams and one more game than the 2023 event that was capped by a preview of the 2023 CIF Northern California Open Division final between St. Joseph-Santa Maria and Modesto Christian.

2023 MLK CLASSIC AT A GLANCE 

• TOP 25 PLAYERS + AT 2023 DLS MLK JR. CLASSIC
• TOP 20 PLAYERS ALL-TIME (PLUS HMS) AT DLS MLK JR. CLASSIC
• GAME-BY-GAME PREVIEWS FOR 2023 DLS MLK JR. CLASSIC
• GAME COVERAGE 

St. Joseph, led by one of the nation’s top players from the Class of 2025, Tounde Yessoufou, fell short in the 2023 MLK Classic's final game, 68-67 thanks to a 38-point explosion by current San Diego State freshman BJ Davis. St. Joseph got revenge in the NorCal finals about two months later with a 72-58 road win.

Yessoufou, a 6-foot-6 wing, combined to score 56 in the two games against Modesto Christian. Both teams are back for the 2024 MLK Jr. Classic.

Tounde Yessoufou (24) averaged  a combined 27.2 points and 11.4 rebounds in two seasons at St. Joseph. 

The other monumental game of 2023, was host De La Salle’s 63-53 huge upset over West Linn-Ore., then ranked 17th in the nation and No. 1 by USA Today. Obviously, the Spartans, led by another nationally ranked player from the Class of 2025, Alec Blair, will be back as well.

Numerous other top recruits from all grades will participate, but the headliner is Bryce James even though he played sparingly last season as a 6-5 sophomore guard for Sierra Canyon. His older brother Bronny, a McDonald’s All-American now at USC, was the top talent on the Trailblazers which had 3- and 4-star recruits playing limited roles and minutes.

One was Bryce James, who seeks a new path at Campbell Hall, which was a state power for years, buoyed by Holiday brothers — future NBA players all — Jrue (Class of 2008), Justin (2007) and Aaron (2015). 

Despite his lack of minutes in high school competition, James is rated the ninth best sophomore in California by 247Sports. 

Alec Blair, a 6-7 forward for De La Salle, is rated No. 42 nationally as a 2025 recruit, according to 247Sports. Photo: Greg Jungferman

The Vikings will also be led by a new coach, longtime NCAA assistant David Grace, who had stints at UCLA, Oregon State, Cal and Vanderbilt, where he was associate head coach. He coached at Centennial (Phoenix) in 2022-23. SEE STORY

James will be surrounded with loads of experience as Campbell Hall returns its top three scorers, including Aaron Powell (17.2). In fact, the Vikings might turn into the next Sierra Canyon, as other sons of former and present NBA players are rumored to be transferring in.

De La Salle traditionally takes on the top team from outside of the area, so don’t be surprised if it’s the Spartans play Campbell Hall. 

Other top talent expected to shine at the 26th annual De La Salle Martin Luther King Jr. Classic, presented by SBLive Sports:

• Notre Dame-Scottsdale, which went 23-6 last season, reaching the AIA Open Division quarterfinals, should return its top eight scorers including 6-4 incoming senior Anthony Batson Jr. (18.7 points per game), 6-foot junior Brennan Peterson (17.0) and  6-3 junior Bryce Quinet (16.1). 

• Besides Yessoufou, St. Joseph returns one of the top players from the Class of 2027 in the state, sharpshooter Julius Price who scored 16, 28, 17 and 13 in the team's last four games of the season. 

• Salesian features All-Bay Area guard Aaron Claytor, who was MVP of his team's 67-56 win over Capital Christian in the 2023 MLK Jr. Classic. He has some lights out shooters around him in Alvin Loving and Amani Johnson. Sophomore Leon Powe is the son of former NBA champion by the same name. 

• Branson is loaded with standouts, led by All-Bay Area senior wing Jase Butler, who has 14 college offers, and point guard Semetri Carr. a junior with six offers already including Washington and UNLV. 

• Connor Amundsen led Clovis North all the way to the CIF State Division I championship game as a sophomore, but missed the entire 2022-23 season with an injury. The 5-11 guard is quick, with great skills including a lethal 3-point shot. 

• Riordan was loaded with young talent during a 23-7 season but watch out for 6-5 junior wing Jasir Rencher, who has 10 offers including Minnesota, Mississippi State and Texas A&M. Sophomore guard Andrew Hillman is another top prospect.