California’s top high school boys basketball players: Meet the state’s best point guards

The top playmaking guards throughout California high school boys basketball are rounding into form as teams across the state look to solidify their playoff positioning in the upcoming weeks.

The top playmaking guards throughout California high school boys basketball are rounding into form as teams across the state look to solidify their playoff positioning in the upcoming weeks. From Corona Centennial's Donovan Dent to Campolindo's Aiden Mahaney, California is loaded with point guards.

The main criteria for SBLive’s top point guards are 2021-22 statistics, film review, discussions with coaches and college interest. The list was compiled by SBLive reporter Bodie DeSilva.

(Lead photo by Greg Jungferman)

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TOP POINT GUARDS IN CALIFORNIA BOYS BASKETBALL

(Players are listed in alphabetical order)

Roddie Anderson III – Fountain Valley – Senior

Anderson is a UC-San Diego signee. He's coming off of a 18-points, seven rebound, six assist and six steal performance against Corona Del Mar on Saturday night and continues to stuff the stat sheet for the Barons.

Devon Arlington – San Marcos – Senior

Arlington has produced ever since arriving on campus for the Knights. He's averaged double digits in scoring all four seasons and is nearing the 2,000-career point mark. He has San Marcos off to a 15-4 start this season while averaging 21 points, seven rebounds, and five assists per game. Arlington signed with Yale in November.

Ryan Beasley – Dougherty Valley – Junior

Beasley averaged 19 points per game during his shortened sophomore season and has taken his game to the next level this year. He's averaging 30 points, seven rebounds, and four assists per game while leading the Wildcats to a 17-1 start.

Aiden Braccia – Sacred Heart Prep – Senior

Braccia is averaging 18 points per game for the Gators and recently surpassed the 1,000-career point mark. He's shooting over 40-percent from three-point range for the third consecutive season and committed to Belmont University in November.

Jaayden Bush – St. Anthony – Senior

Bush has had a huge start to his senior season for the Saints. The Dominican University-signee is averaging 20 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals per game and posted a 39-point, ten assist performance against Compton earlier in the year.

Myles Che – Fairmont Prep – Senior

Che continues to show his ability to score and setup his teammates. In last week's game against Riverside Poly, Che finished with 21 points and eight assists.

Bryant Davis – Modesto Christian – Junior

Photo by Greg Jungferman

Scholarship offers from west coast schools have been flowing in for Davis over the past six months. He's helped lead the Crusaders to a 16-3 start and fist place in the Tri-City Athletic League while averaging 16 points and five assists per game.

Donovan Dent – Corona Centennial – Senior

Dent has helped guide the Huskies to a 21-1 start to the season and the No. 2 spot in SBLive's California Top 25. He's signed with New Mexico.

Benny Gealer – Rolling Hills Prep – Senior

Gealer has been a playmaker for the Huskies for several seasons and now in his final season he's helped Rolling Hills Prep jump out to a 16-1 record. He's committed to Stanford as a preferred walk-on.

Barrington Hargress – Heritage Christian – Senior

Hargress transferred over to Heritage Christian for his final season and has taken the lead role, averaging 20 points, five rebounds, and four assists per game while pushing the Warriors to a 15-3 start to the year.

Brandon Herrera – Foothill (Sacramento) – Senior

Herrera has been one of the state's top scorers in the early going of the season, averaging over 28 points per game. He's surpassed the 40-point make twice, including a 45-point effort against Rosemont in game two of the season.

AJ Johnson – Taft – Junior

Johnson has had a fast start to his junior season, leading the Toreadors to a 12-3 record and the top spot in SBLive's Los Angeles City Section Top 10. His most recent offer, from Texas Tech, arrived in December.

Isaiah Kerr – St. Francis (Mountain View) – Senior

Kerr has been one of the top performing guards in Northern California the past couple seasons. He's signed with Montana.

Kalib LaCount – King/Drew – Senior

LaCount continues to raise his stock in his final season for the Golden Eagles. He's coming off of a 46-point, ten rebound, ten assist triple double in Saturday's four-point win over Lawndale.

Ramel Lloyd – Sierra Canyon – Senior

Lloyd is part of a loaded group for California's top team. He was named MVP of the 'Iolani Classic in December after leading the Trailblazers to the title. He signed with Nebraska over offers from more than 25 schools.

Aidan Mahaney – Campolindo – Senior

Photo by Todd Shurtleff

Mahaney started his career with a bang, averaging 16 points per game while winning a CIF D2 State Championship during his freshman season. Now in his final year, Mahaney is averaging 17 points per game and has established himself as one of the best shooters in the nation, shooting 45-percent from three-point range for his career. His play collegiately at nearby St. Mary's College.

Alexis Marmolejos – Army/Navy – Senior

Marmolejos is now in his fourth season up posting huge numbers for the Warriors. He's been held under 20 points only twice this season and has pushed the Warriors to an 11-9 record while averaging over 28 points per game.

Cameron Mercadel – Santa Margarita – Sophomore

Mercadel transferred into Santa Margarita prior to the season and has taken over the lead role for the Eagles. He's helped them get off to a 16-1 start, losing only to Mater Dei.

Shyheim Parm – Cajon – Senior

Parm has helped the Cowboys get out to a 14-3 start. He's been on fire during the new year, including a 30-point outing in Cajon's win over Indian Springs.

Jamari Phillips – Modesto Christian – Sophomore

Photo by Greg Jungferman

Phillips has had a huge start to his sophomore campaign, averaging 24 points per game, and has shown the Crusaders will be one of California's top teams for several seasons to come. Recent offers have come in from Kansas, Washington, and Illinois.

Tyler Rolison – St. Bernard – Junior

Rolison continues to showcase himself as one of California's top prospects in the 2023 class. Oklahoma State and USC are among his several recent offers.

Dre Roman – St. Joseph (Santa Maria) – Senior

Roman has been a consistent performer for the Knights and continues to stuff the box score in each category. He's helped the Knights to a 19-2 start 14 points, seven rebounds, and three assists per game.

Ben Shtolzberg – Sherman Oaks Notre Dame – Senior

Shtolzberg has averaged over 17 points per game during each of the last three seasons and is a great distributor. He's guided the Knights to a 17-4 start and signed with Creighton in November.

RJ Smith – Damien – Senior

Smith was named MVP of the St. John Bosco Tournament after scoring 22 points in the championship game. He's signed with Colorado.

Christian Watson – Long Beach Poly – Senior

Watson has led the Jackrabbits to a 10-5 start and has Poly sitting atop the standings in the Moore League in his final season.