Rancho Mirage: Junior forward Jordan Brown backs up five-star status

PALM SPRINGS -- For much of the winter, talk about the top players in 2018 always revolves around the top three of Marvin Bagley, Zion Williamson and Romeo Langford. The No. 4 player in the class, power forward, Jordan Brown, proved at the Rancho Mirage Holiday Classic that he's in that elite class.

The No. 4 ranked player in the class of 2018, 6-foot-10 power forward Jordan Brown of Roseville (Calif.) Woodcreek is one of those guys who lets his game do the talking. On Tuesday at the Rancho Mirage Holiday Classic, his game spoke loudly during a 22-point, 19-rebound, two-block and two-assist effort.

Given the chance to talk about how he deserves the same attention that the three ranked above him -- Marvin Bagley, Zion Williamson and Romeo Langford -- Brown spoke about his team and had to be prodded to speak about his individual performance.

"I think things are going pretty well, we are 12-0 right and we are playing well together," Brown said. "I think I'm doing well. I'm really being more vocal and picking up my leadership this year."

To his credit, Brown was much more vocal than we've ever seen him and he had a calming presence on his team during a first-round win.

More important than his demeanor, though, was his game. Comfortable operating on the right and left side of the floor in the low post and turning to either shoulder to score, Brown showed off great footwork, a high skill level and explosion around the rim. Brown should develop into a solid mid-range jump shooter and he has great hands, grabbing pretty much anything he touches.

Brown told Rivals.com that Oregon recently came through with an offer. They join California -- which had an assistant watching Tuesday -- Arizona, UCLA, Nevada, St. John's and Kansas.

Brown said his most recent visit was to Nevada, but the junior said that he's waiting until after the summer of 2017 to really focus on his recruitment.

"I try not to think about (recruiting) too much," said Brown. "I will probably think about it more seriously around the start of my senior year."

Super athletic five-star shooting guard Cassius Stanley is a YouTube sensation whose highlight reels have produced millions of hits.

The 6-foot-5 sophomore at North Hollywood (Calif.) Harvard Westlake is glad that people are tuning in, but he wants them to know his game is about more than just the dunks that get featured in highlight reels.

"I'm working on creating my own shot," Stanley said. "My dad is an agent and has seen what it takes to make it as a player in the NBA and he says that guys make it because of their attention to the little things and playing roles. I'm not trying to force it and I'm focusing on playing good basketball."

On Tuesday, Stanley was good for 21 points. He had soaring drives, hit some mid-range jumpers and showed tremendous promise as a secondary ball-handler who can create out of the pick-and-roll.

Stanley said that UCLA, Alabama and USC have been coming hard and they have all offered. UNLV, Arizona, Arizona State, Stanford, Michigan and Kansas are all in the mix as well.

There has long been talk that Stanley could eventually move to the class of 2018. Stanley has heard that and even admitted that he has taken some extra classes to put himself in position to do so. However, he only wants to have the option if it makes sense and for now is focusing on being member of the 2019 class.

"I've definitely thought about it a couple of times," said Stanley. "I took classes over the summer and I may next summer so that I can have it as an option if it makes sense. But, it's not a priority."

Freshman wing Johnny Juzang of North Hollywood (Calif.) Harvard Westlake is definitely one to keep an eye on in the class of 2020. The 6-foot-5 small forward has good size, is already as athletic and strong as you would expect a senior to be and he can spot up to hit jumpers. Huzang said that USC, Arizona State and Alabama have already offered and mentioned Stanford, UCLA and California as others that have already shown interest.

Another freshman that we will be monitoring is Phoenix (Ariz.) Pinnacle combo guard Nico Mannion. Mannion played early at point guard, was moved off the ball later to open him up for more shots and after struggling for the better part of three quarters made some impressive plays down the stretch. Mannion went 7-for-21 from the field, but he hit some tough shots late and showed the ability to create off the dribble.

Sacramento (Calif.) Sheldon point guard Elishja Duplechan is a tough dude and he was knocking down shots. His 25 points helped to carry Sheldon to a win over Pinnacle and he did a lot of his damage with the jump shot. He was also steady with the ball and got where he needed to be off the dribble. He'll be an option for West Coast programs during the winter.

Contributing to Sheldon's attack from the perimeter was physical wing Drew Cobb. He's a finisher, likes to create contact and will get in and mix it up on the glass. He's another division one level prospect for Sheldon.

Portland (Ore.) Franklin was on the receiving end of a pretty thorough beatdown from Chino Hills (Calif.) High. However, junior forward Khalil Chatman was a bright spot for Franklin. An athletic 6-foot-6 combo forward, Chatman is starting to fill out and seeks the rim whenever he can get a sniff.

For Chino Hills, five-star sophomore power forward Onyeka Okongwu was outstanding and played above the rim all night for 20 points and 13 rebounds. UCLA bound junior three-star wing LiAngelo Ball finished with 17 points (8-for-24 FG) and six steals a night after going for 60. Four-star sophomore LaMelo Ball went for 27 points and 11 assists. Also committed to UCLA, 27 of the younger Ball's 28 field goal attempts came from three-point-range (he made nine of them).