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The South Bay isn’t traditionally the epicenter for high school boys basketball in the Bay Area. But during the Aaron Gordon era at Archbishop Mitty in San Jose, that certainly was the case.
Gordon put on an electrifying show during his high school career and was a slam dunk to lead the Bay Area Preps HQ’s all-decade team.
The 2010s also included a memorable Open Division championship run for Bishop O’Dowd and consistent dominance for Salesian.
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Both programs are represented on the team, which includes a starting five (player of the decade among them), sixth man and coach of the decade, along with players who deserved special mentions.
Here is the team:
STARTING FIVE
Aaron Gordon, Archbishop Mitty
What he did: Three-time Mercury News player of the year and two-time California Mr. Basketball by Cal-Hi Sports. Led Mitty to California Interscholastic Federation Division II state championships in 2011 and 2012 and a runner-up finish to Mater Dei in the state’s first Open Division championship game to close out his high school career. Scored more points (2,386) and grabbed more rebounds (1,666) than anyone in Central Coast Section history. Named high school basketball player of the decade by this news organization.
Where he is now: Reached the Elite Eight in his only season at the University of Arizona. Taken fourth overall by Orlando in the 2014 NBA draft. Only 24, he is in his sixth season with the Magic. In the summer of 2018, he signed a four-year, $76 million contract.
— Darren Sabedra
Ivan Rabb, Bishop O’Dowd
What he did: Bishop O’Dowd’s all-time leading scorer, rebounder and winningest player. Scored 19 points, grabbed 21 rebounds and made the game-winning free throw to deliver the school the 2015 Open Division state championship. One of the top-ranked recruits to ever come out of the Bay Area. A five-star, top-10 recruit stayed home and played for Cal.
Where he is now: Entered the NBA draft after his sophomore season at Cal. Drafted 35th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies, where he has averaged 5.7 points and 4.3 rebounds while averaging 14.6 minutes per game in his first two seasons.
— Evan Webeck
Jabari Bird, Salesian
What he did: The 6-foot-6 guard, a McDonald’s All-American, led the Pride to a CIF Division IV state title as a junior in 2012. “His impact on the floor has been tremendous,” Salesian coach Bill Mellis said. As a senior, Bird positioned the Pride as the No. 1 team in the state while averaging 17.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. Salesian went 100-8 during his time on varsity.
Where he is now: The consensus five-star recruit signed to play at Cal. As a senior during the 2016-17 season, led the Bears in scoring at 14.3 points per game. The Boston Celtics selected Bird with the 56th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft.
— Vytas Mazeika
James Akinjo, Salesian
What he did: Propelled Salesian to the No. 1 state ranking and a one-loss regular season as a senior in 2018. Named Bay Area News Group player of the year after averaging 20.7 points and 5.2 assists per game. A top-100, four-star recruit, previously signed with UConn before flipping to Georgetown.
Where he is now: Part of a recent exodus from Georgetown, the sophomore guard was the most notable of four players to leave the program. Named Big East freshman of the year after averaging 13.4 points and 5.2 assists per game. Currently in the NCAA transfer portal.
— Evan Webeck
Marcus Lee, Deer Valley
What he did: As a senior, the McDonald’s All-American averaged 17.9 points, 19.2 rebounds and 6.9 blocks to help lead the Wolverines to their first North Coast Section title and a trip to the NorCal Division I final. The Kentucky-bound power forward was also a standout boys volleyball player at Deer Valley.
Where he is now: The five-star recruit spent three seasons at Kentucky before transferring to Cal, where after a redshirt year he averaged 11.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game as the only player to start in all 32 contests during the 2017-18 season.
— Vytas Mazeika
SIXTH MAN
Tyler Johnson, St. Francis
What he did: Led St. Francis to the CIF Northern California Division II championship and a D-II state runner-up finish his senior season. Averaged 13.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game and was named Mercury News player of the year. Was listed at 6-1 and 165 pounds his senior season.
Where he is now: Undrafted out of Fresno State, Johnson eventually landed with the Miami Heat and now plays for the Phoenix Suns. The Heat signed the now 6-3 guard to a four-year, $50 million deal in the summer of 2016.
— Darren Sabedra
SPECIAL MENTION
Jabari Brown, Oakland
Frankie Ferrari, Burlingame
Logan Johnson, St. Francis
Damari Milstead, Moreau Catholic
Jordan Ratinho, De La Salle
Brett Thompson, James Logan
Jake Wojcik, Bellarmine
COACH
Lou Richie, Bishop O’Dowd
Richie took over the storied O’Dowd program before the 2012-13 season after being a longtime assistant at his alma mater. The 1989 O’Dowd graduate led the Dragons to the CIF Open Division state championship game in 2014, losing to Mater Dei 71-61. A year later, with the Open Division final at nearby Haas Pavilion, he guided O’Dowd to a storybook finish as Ivan Rabb’s free throw with 0.8 seconds left in overtime lifted the Dragons to a 65-64 win in a rematch with Mater Dei. O’Dowd reached the NorCal Open Division final in 2018, losing to Sheldon of Sacramento 61-60 at Santa Clara University. The Dragons remain the only Northern California team to win an Open Division state crown since the best-of-the-best division was added in 2013.
— Darren Sabedra
HOW CHOICES WERE MADE
The players of the decade and the all-decade teams, including coaches, were chosen in a vote by the Bay Area Preps HQ staff.
