Some high schools still use JV teams to develop players

There are high school basketball players and even parents who cringe when a coach says, “You’re playing junior varsity.”

Yes, times have changed. The days of college programs using JV teams to build their programs are largely gone. Freshmen with potential end up playing on varsity. Others are placed on first-year teams that try to develop chemistry with other freshmen. The attitude of players and parents is: Playing JV is not cool.

But those looking to develop and perhaps improve when their inevitable growth spurt kicks in are missing out on what JV basketball is really about – player development.

That seems to have worked out this season for three varsity standouts who started on their school’s JV team: Santa Margarita’s Drew Anderson, Harvard-Westlake’s Pierce Thompson and Los Alamitos’ Isaiah Williamson. Fortunately, a little patience from all involved gave them the time and opportunity to wait for their bodies to mature and the rest is history. All three will one day play college basketball.

Anderson was 6-foot-3 as a freshman. He had a growth spurt and is listed at 6-9 this season. He and his family embraced the idea of ​​learning to play SE. He is now committed to Oregon State and will play on the No. 4 team in the Southland as a senior.

“My parents were athletes in college,” Anderson said. “They knew I would get better with time.

Thompson was a JV guard his freshman year and is unlikely to contribute on varsity with the many guards ahead of him in the program. It popped out under less pressure. As a junior this season, his defensive skills and three-point shooting make him Harvard-Westlake’s next top guard following in the footsteps of Trent Perry.

Williamson had the family background to play varsity as a freshman. His brother, Issac, was a star guard for state champion Eastvale Roosevelt. But Los Alamitos was loaded with varsity seniors, so the decision was made to be patient and let him play on the JV team. This season as a sophomore, he has blossomed into a standout prospect in the class of 2028. He is a 6-4 lefty who can score from a variety of spots on the court.

One program that still believes in using the JV team to develop its players is Harvard-Westlake and coach David Rebibo. This season, he has five standout freshmen on a JV team that is 24-0. They have embraced their journey of preparation to play in college next season.

Dekoda Ray, a 6-3 guard, could have played in college at many programs, but he and his parents huddled together and decided a year at JV would be good for his development.

“We felt we had to trust the process,” Ray said. “Don’t play your game like you’re playing JV. Play like you’re playing for something bigger.”

Rebibo said “transparency” is the only way to communicate with parents and players.

“We want kids who want to be in college,” he said. “But we understand that we have to do what’s in the best interest of their development, and playing four senior guards doesn’t mean you’re going to be able to play. We’re very honest.”

Five SE freshmen will be heard about for years to come: Ray, 6-7 Nairobi Ebi, 6-5 Jackson Thomas, 6-1 Max Paquin and 6-5 Nathan Kashper. Most will advance to the varsity playoffs and practiced with the varsity in the fall.

Another program that believes in JV teams as a training ground is St. John Bosco and coach Matt Dunn.

“Proud,” Dunn said.

Letting everyone know that the 11 St. John Bosco, who started playing college basketball, started at JV.

The JV team is a learning environment. If you make a mistake, the coach won’t bench you right away like in college. Also, not every 14-year-old is socially ready to play with 19-year-olds at university.

Anderson concludes by reminding everyone that it doesn’t matter what team you start on as a freshman.

“The work you put in always wins,” he said.