MaxPreps 2015-16 High School Basketball Early Contenders, presented by Dick's Sporting Goods and Under Armour: Chino Hills

Video: Early Contenders - Chino Hills



Head coach: Steve Baik (109-44 in five seasons as head coach at Chino Hills)

2014-15 record: 17-15, Division I state runner-up (record includes nine forfeit losses)

State association: California Interscholastic Federation

Enrollment: 3,100




Andre Ball (6-7, So., F) … Cousin of the Ball brothers

LaMelo Ball (5-11, Fr., G) … Committed to UCLA

LiAngelo Ball (6-5, Jr., G) … Committed to UCLA

Lonzo Ball (6-6, Sr., G) … Committed to UCLA

Shane Hopkins (6-9, Sr., F/C) … Sat out 2014-15 season

Onyeka Okongwu (6-9, Fr., F/C) … Younger brother of the late Nnamdi Okongwu

Elizjah Scott (6-4, Jr., G/F) … Athletic wing that fits into up-tempo style

Chazz Smith (6-7, Sr., F) … Sat out 2014-15 season




Dec. 18-23 – City of Palms Classic

Dec. 26-30 – MaxPreps Holiday Classic

Jan. 9 – vs. Foothills Christian (El Cajon, Calif.) at Sierra Canyon Super Showcase

Jan. 16 – vs. Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.) at Spalding Hoophall Classic

Jan. 30 – vs. Bishop Montgomery (Torrance, Calif.) at Fairfax State Preview

Feb. 6 – vs. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) at Nike Extravaganza




* Don't be deceived by last year's 17-15 record. Nine of those losses came by forfeit and Chino Hills notched a number of quality victories, including Bentonville (Ark.), Centennial (Corona, Calif.), Etiwanda (Calif.), Long Beach Poly (Calif.), Oregon state champ West Linn and Westchester (Los Angeles). The Huskies also led then-No. 1 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) by 13 at one point before losing in a first round matchup at the Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions in Missouri.

* Due to his lack of exposure on the Nike, adidas or Under Armour summer circuits, it took a while for the scouting media to get a read on Lonzo Ball. After a strong showing during the live period in July, the dynamic point guard jumped all the way up to No. 4 in the 247Sports Composite Rankings. Lonzo nearly averaged a triple-double as a junior, averaging 24.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game.

* During a July game at the adidas Summer Championship in Las Vegas, the brother trio of Lonzo (36 points), LaMelo (32) and LiAngelo (25) combined for 93 points in a win over a talented Atlanta Celtics club. The Balls dropped in 16 triples in that contest. Don't be shocked if totals like that occur in games this winter.

View gallery of preseason Early Contenders photo shoot with Chino Hills