Lute Olson Classic Recap: Elite High School Talent on Display at Long Beach City College

The first-ever Lute Olson Classic, executed by Dinos Trigonis, made its debut on January 10 at Long Beach City College, delivering a high-level, one-day showcase of elite basketball talent. The event featured top Southern California high school programs, along with prep schools from Southern California, Arizona, and Georgia, creating a diverse and competitive field. Designed as a celebration of the game and a platform for emerging talent, the Lute Olson Classic lived up to its vision by showcasing skill, intensity, and high basketball IQ.

Phillip Reed - Palisades - Point Guard - Class of 2029

Reed plays hard and fast, consistently getting to the paint with ease and finishing over bigger defenders. What stood out most was his defense—he repeatedly beat opponents to the spot, disrupted passing lanes, and forced turnovers, finishing with a showcase-high seven steals. He showed anticipation beyond his years and was excellent as a help defender, adding three blocks.

Julian Cunningham - Palisades - Center - Class of 2027

A poised center who doesn’t force the action, he takes advantage of mismatches and finishes effectively in the paint. He recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds and served as a steady defensive anchor, contesting shots without fouling.

EJ Popoola - Palisades - Wing - Class of 2027

A long, athletic wing who uses his physical tools to attack and finish at the rim, he moves fluidly through defenders and consistently gets into the paint. He also showed signs of a developing three-point shot, finishing 2-of-6 from beyond the arc.

William Bryson III - St. Paul - Shooting Guard - Class of 2026

Serving as his team’s primary scoring option, Bryson finished with 23 points (7-of-24 from the field, 0-of-4 from three, 9-of-12 from the free-throw line). Despite a tough shooting night overall (29%), his mid-range game stood out. He shoots with good form, a high release, and a fluid motion, and his relentless attacks to the rim led to frequent trips to the free-throw line.

Myles Mittelsteadt - Laguna Hills - Forward - Class of 2027

The 6’8” forward showed he can be effective outside the paint, finishing with 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc, without attempting a free throw. He proved to be a reliable three-point threat when left open, with good shooting form and a high release.

Ean Britt - Campbell Hall - Wing - Class of 2027

Coming off the bench, he made an immediate impact, finishing with 16 points on 7-of-15 shooting (0-of-1 from three, 2-of-5 from the free-throw line). He doesn’t force shots and communicates well on the floor, while bringing consistent energy on both ends, highlighted by two steals and one block.

Christian Rogers - Campbell Hall - Point Guard - Class of 2027

Rogers had a strong outing in just 19 minutes, finishing with 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting (2-of-5 from three, 2-of-2 from the free-throw line), along with four assists and three steals. Along with Phillip Reed, Rogers stands out as one of the best on-ball defenders in Southern California—capable of picking up full court, beating opponents to spots, and consistently making life difficult for opposing point guards. He’s also developing into a true floor general, showing the ability to put teammates in positions to succeed.

Zach Arnold - San Gabriel Academy - Point Guard - Class of 2029

Only a freshman, Arnold plays with poise beyond his years. He facilitates the game while also serving as a viable scoring option, finishing with a team-high 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting (1-of-3 from three, 2-of-3 from the free-throw line). He shows great touch in the paint and can score over bigger defenders, while displaying solid ball-handling skills and continued growth as a floor general.

Oliver Kullamae - SoCal Academy - Point Guard - Class of 2026

Arguably the best passer and facilitator in Southern California, he finished with a showcase-high 15 assists. He pushes the ball with great pace, communicates constantly, and shows quick reactions with a high level of alertness. His off-ball awareness consistently stands out.

Rajan Roberts - AZ Compass Prep - Point Guard - Class of 2026

Roberts plays with high intensity on both ends for the entire game and was another standout defender, finishing with six steals. Capable of guarding 94 feet, he also showed flashes of playmaking ability by making smart reads and pushing the pace. He knocked down 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, establishing himself as a legitimate three-point threat.

Demarcus Henry - AZ Compass Prep - Forward - Class of 2027

Henry shows strong fundamentals and the ability to score at all three levels, playing within himself and never forcing the action. His long, athletic frame makes him a difficult matchup, and he shoots with great form and structure. He rebounds well—finishing second on his team with eight boards—and displays solid low-post moves.

The inaugural Lute Olson Classic set a strong foundation for what promises to become a marquee event on the high school basketball calendar. With quality competition, national prep representation, and a well-executed showcase environment, the event honored the legacy of Lute Olson while spotlighting the next wave of talent. From disciplined team play to standout individual performances, the one-day showcase at Long Beach City College delivered on every level. As the season continues, many of the players and programs featured will carry momentum forward, and the Lute Olson Classic has firmly established itself as an event to watch in the years ahead.