Five players from the Citrus College mens basketball team that recorded a 30-2 mark and reached the 3C2A State Championship Final Four for the second straight year have earned scholarships to continue their basketball careers at four-year universities.
Leo Ricketts, a guard from De La Salle High School in Concord, who earned Most Outstanding Player honors in the All Western State South Conference and was named the CCCMBCA All-State South Player of the Year, will attend Loyola University of Maryland. He will compete in the NCAA Division I Metro League Conference. Ricketts averaged 19.7 points, 3.9 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game, shooting 48.8% overall, 47.5% from three-point range and 82.5% from the free-throw line.
Rockwell Reynolds, a forward/center from Santa Margarita Catholic High School who was named to the All Western State South Conference first team, committed to play at Cal State Fullerton in the NCAA Division I Big West Conference. Reynolds led the team in rebounds (7.1 per game) and blocks (1.4 per game, third in the conference) while averaging 16.1 points on 55.1% shooting.
Amiri Meadows, a sophomore guard from St. John Bosco High School and the Western State South Conference Defensive Player of the Year, committed to Concord University in Irvine, competing in the NCAA Division II Pac West Conference. Meadows averaged 12.6 points, 4.4 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game and led the conference in both total steals and steals per game.
JJ Sanchez, a freshman guard from Montgomery High School in San Diego and an honorable mention All Western State South Conference selection, will continue his career at Cornell University in the NCAA Division I Ivy League. Sanchez averaged 12.2 points, 4.4 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game while shooting 50.9% from the field and 40.9% from three-point range.
Dylan Victorio, a sophomore guard from Ayala High School in Chino Hills, will play at Lewis-Clark State in the NAIA Patriot League Conference. He averaged 7.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.0 assist and totaled 37 steals while shooting 48.3% from the field.
CSB Take
The scholarships earned by these five players from Citrus College underscore the programs ability to develop talent ready for competitive play at four-year institutions. Standouts like Leo Ricketts and Rockwell Reynolds securing Division I opportunities highlight the strength and depth of the team that achieved a dominant 30-2 season and back-to-back state final fours. This success demonstrates the important role junior college basketball plays in preparing athletes for the next level of collegiate competition.
Source: Original report
