Stars to Recognize of Oakland, CA
Oakland, CA stands as the largest city in Alameda County. With a population of 429,082 people, and amongst them many young athletes are waiting to be recognized and recruited. As many of you know the Bay Area consists of some…
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Continue ReadingOakland, CA stands as the largest city in Alameda County. With a population of 429,082 people, and amongst them many young athletes are waiting to be recognized and recruited. As many of you know the Bay Area consists of some of the highest-ranking players in California. Oakland is a city where sports thrive, specifically basketball. Oakland is encompassed with player prospects who want to showcase their talents to college coaches, and possibly continue showcasing their skills after their high school careers.
Listed below is a group of 5 prospects amongst the classes of 2021, 2022, and 2023 who should be perceived as some of the most proficient players amongst the city of Oakland.
Hana Essubalew- (2023), G, #12, American Indian High School
Hana is one of the most dynamic and skilled players on her team, she stands out significantly with her scoring abilities. The statistics themself explain how talented Hana is; 16.2 PPG, 10.5 RPG, and 7 double-doubles to date since the beginning of the 2019-2020 season. In 13 games she was able to score 211 points total. She currently holds the record at their high school for scoring the most points in one game, 28 points, and she beat that record back in January. Hana is only a freshman, and I only see her going up from here on out. I am enthusiastic to witness her games in the upcoming seasons.
Mari Somvichian- (2023), Fr, G, 5”4′, #21, Oakland Tech
Don’t let her height deceive you, this girl can ball. She has incredible ball-handling skills and is very comfortable taking it to the basket. She currently plays for Oakland Tech, a very successful team in the Bay Area. They recently won a state title against Clovis back in January, and Mari contributed significantly to their win. She is currently #1 for 3 pointers in the Oakland Section. Mari has a very quick jump shot that is difficult for defenders to guard. Her vision of the court is great and has a great awareness of her surroundings. She currently has 50 3PM, and her 3P% is 32%. You shouldn’t know her for just her 3 pointers, her basketball IQ is very high. Keep an eye out for Mari for her upcoming seasons at Oakland Tech, she is a player that has a lot of room for improvement, even though she is already an advanced player.
Saniyah Waqia- (2021), Jr, G, #23, American Indian High School
Whenever you are watching a game where Saniyah is on the court, you know you are watching one of the best defensive players in Oakland, CA. On the defensive end on the court, she is always aware of where the ball is. Her goal is to take the ball back so her team is in possession, no matter what it takes. Saniyah is a high-intensity player, that currently ranks at #1 for steals in the Oakland Section. With 6.5 SPG, 8.7 RBG, you can guarantee that watching Saniyah play, you’re going to witness an intelligent player that knows how to regain possession for her team, and do it so effortlessly. Saniyah is a great defensive player to keep an eye out for.
Rakyha Reid- (2021), Jr, F, 5”11′, #12, Oakland Tech
As one of the captains of her Oakland Tech High School Varsity team, you can see that she has a strong presence on the court. She is a scoring machine when she is in possession of the ball. Driving to the basket is one of her specialties, she is unstoppable is she is en route to the basket. She has the golden touch when it comes to finishing around the basket. Her towering height over her opponents undoubtedly benefits her scoring capability close to the basket. Rakyha is currently #3 in double-doubles in the Oakland Section. She scored 253 total points in the 2019-2020 season, with a FG% of 53%. Rakyha is a mighty player that should be recognized for her determination to score, and physicality with the ball.
Stephanie Okowi- (2020), Sr, F, 6”0′, #23, Oakland Tech
Intense, skilled, gifted, dynamic, talented, are all words I would use to describe Stephanie Okowi. Okowi is the captain of her team and rightly deserves to be. She has an unstoppable drive and an authoritative presence on the court. She possesses filthy moves when driving to the basket, and boisterous moves on the block. Stephanie has a great work ethic, and that is something to note when you are witnessing Stephanie in action. Okowi led her team to victory back in March against Clovis to win the state title. She currently is #1 in double-doubles, averages 12.8 PPG, and 9.8 RPG. Stephanie Okowi is one of the most energetic players in the Oakland section and should be known for her sprightly personality.