2020 MaxPreps/De La Salle MLK Classic: Top 25 Players to Watch

Video: 2020 MLK Jr. Classic highlights

MORAGA, Calif. — The names have filled out NBA rosters: Aaron Gordon, Ivan Rabb, Leon Powe, Ryan Anderson, Luke Babbitt and Jabari Bird. Gordon is a current starter and All-Star caliber player with the Orlando Magic.

All have played in the De La Salle/MaxPreps Martin Luther King Classic at some point over the last 22 years. Last season, Jalen Green, the nation's No. 3 player from the Class of 2020 according to 247Sports, broke loose for 29 points, but host De La Salle escaped with a 53-47 win over San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno).

More stars are on the horizon.

Here are 25 top players to watch in the 23rd annual event, which takes place all day Jan. 20 at St. Mary's College in Moraga.

All seven games can be watched for subscribers on SportsLive and DeLaSalleTV.com, and are available free in the CBS Sports app on CBSSports.com.

1. Aidan Mahaney, Campolindo (Moraga) The 6-foot-3 sophomore is rated by 247Sports the No. 6 point guard and No. 38 player overall nationally in the Class of 2022. He's already led the Cougars to a CIF State Division 2 championship and already has offers from Stanford and Arizona. Quick, tenacious and relentless, Mahaney can slash, shoot the three or dish. A complete and polished product with 2.5 years of high school in front of him.

The 6-10 post is a fourth-year starter for the Mariners and helped them to a state title as a freshman. Ranked the 20th best post in the country and No. 17 best recruit out of California overall for the Class of 2020, Jackson averaged 15.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game last season. He's got six college offers including Arizona, Cal and Washington State.

The 6-1 point guard already has already committed to San Diego State though he has 15 other offers, including St. Mary's College, Washington and Colorado. Extremely bright — he has an offer from Harvard — Butler has a tremendous basketball IQ and was recently selected as the MVP of the Riverside Kiwanis Tournament for a third straight year.

The 6-6 wing is long, a high-flier and extremely active on both sides of the court. He's already signed to Cal and had offers from 13 other schools including San Diego State, Hofstra and Northern Kentucky.

The 6-7, 180-pound senior wing gets a quick preview of St. Mary's College, where he's committed to play in college. In his first 13 games this season, he averaged 15.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks. He also had offers from Nevada, Pennsylvania and Pepperdine, among others.

The 6-6 wing can really jump and really shoot. It's a nice combination for the vastly improved sophomore, who leads the Spartans in scoring at more than 17 points per game. "He can really get it going," De La Salle coach Justin Argenal said. "He's the best shooter we've had since I've been here. He's a true force." Twelve colleges who have made offers agree, including Florida State, Oklahoma State, South Carolina and USC.

The 6-5 junior leads his team with a 17.7 scoring average and broke loose for 31 points in an 83-77 loss to nationally ranked Rancho Christian. Mallette has 13 college offers, including Washington State, Penn State and Montana.

8. Malik Thomas, Damien (La Verne) The 6-3 junior shooting guard averaged 19.5 points a game as a sophomore for the Spartans and 4.6 rebounds per game. He's considered the eighth top junior in the state and has offers from Washington, Pepperdine and Northern Arizona.

The 6-4 sophomore combo guard is a coach's dream. He averages better than 11 points per game, and has a unique combination of intensity, athleticism and an understanding of the game. "He's a very good defender and always seems to be at the right place at the right time," Argenal said. "He's a slasher, has a nice midrange game and is like a coach on the court."

The 6-4 senior wing has more than doubled his 9.1 scoring average as a junior. With the transfer of high-scoring guard Robby Beasley, Roy has taken over the brunt of the scoring duties and was named the MVP of the Gridley Tournament.

The 6-9 freshman might actually belong higher on the list as a player of interest. Considered one of the top ninth-graders in the country, Lewis is polished for a 15-year-old and very skilled, with three-point shooting range to boot. His ceiling is probably higher than any on this list.

12. Te'Jon Sawyer, Salesian College Preparatory (Richmond, Calif.) At 6-8 and 275 pounds, the senior post may seem more suited for the gridiron, but his nimble feet, soft hands and strong instincts make him a legitimate Division I college prospect. He's Salesian's leading scorer and rebounder.

The smooth 6-4 wing had a huge improvement curve from his sophomore to junior season. It's continued onto this, his senior campaign as the Pride's second leading scorer and rebounder.

A powerfully-built 6-7 junior, Johnson is just getting into the swing after a late start. In his first two games, he averaged 8.5 points, 13 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. He's considered a D1 prospect.

The 6-4 senior shooting guard averaged 13.7 points, 3.7 assists and 6.3 rebounds per game last season while making 85 three-pointers. He, Thomas and Smith make up a dynamic backcourt.

A super quick, long and explosive 6-4 junior guard, Roberson can change the game on both ends of the court. He's extremely strong to the basket.

The 6-2 senior point guard isn't quite as explosive or skilled as his sophomore brother Aidan, but nearly so. The two have battled in backyard courts for years. Carter has already signed a letter of intent to Northern Arizona.

The 6-8 power forward has already secured a scholarship to Cal State Northridge. He previously played for Georgia in the U18 European Championship and in eight games averaged 10 points and five rebounds. He has 3-point shooting range.

19. Darius Gakwasi Central Catholic (Portland, Ore.) The 6-6 junior is an explosive scorer with 3-point range and an ability to get to the rim. On a balanced team with length and skill, Gakwasi is the team's go-to scorer.

The 6-1 junior guard helped the Cougars to a 31-2 season in 2018-19 and now leads the team in scoring at 15.1 points per game. He exploded for 41 points in an 82-75 win over Clovis East earlier this season.

The 6-6, 232-pound sophomore averages 10.9 points and a team-high 6.3 rebounds for the Cougars. He had 20 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in a win over Sacramento.

The 6-foot sophomore is the Mariners leader in scoring, assists and steals.

At 6-6 and 250 pounds, Clifford doesn't possess the long and fluid frame of most hoopsters, but his game is all basketball. He's the Spartans' third-leading scorer at more than 10 points per game and he's their leading rebounder. "He's an emotional leader with a booming personality," Argenal said. "He's got very soft hands, good feet and he's a phenomenal rebounder."

The 6-4 wing hasn't put up any big numbers yet, but he's considered one of the top freshmen in the country. The son of a former NFL tight end by the same name, Anderson battled an early-season injury and is now a consistent contributor.

A 6-3 sophomore, Smith's ceiling is considered the highest on a team filled with standout guards.