The Grizzlies' big three of seniors Brayde Kuykendall, Emeka Ifediora, and Dublin transfer Jaiden Jones showed out.
They don't call it "California" Live for nothing, right?
California (San Ramon) boys basketball showed its meddle in the Cali Live SCIBCA bracket in the last weekend of June, going 4-0 in well-contested games against prominent programs from outside Northern California.
The Grizzlies opened with a 66-56 victory over Santa Monica, followed it up with a 58-47 win over Arizona powerhouse Notre Dame Prep, and finished off by edging out Rancho Cucamonga 55-53 and Corona del Mar 63-62 for the crown. Santa Clara commit Brayde Kuykendall and Jaiden Jones led the way with 21 points and 19 points, respectively, to take down CdM in the title game.
🏆 SHIP Sunday, The Movie
— Boys California Live 2025 🚨 (@BoysCALiveHoops) July 1, 2025
The California HS Grizzlies players with high energy and stellar defense to win their bracket championship! @scibca_@simplyy_bball@CoachesCorner__@BallerTV@balleralert@BeachCityHoopspic.twitter.com/MjqpRweOWm
🏆 SHIP SUNDAY
— Boys California Live 2025 🚨 (@BoysCALiveHoops) June 30, 2025
☀️ Boys California LIVE 2025
Kangaroo Bracket Champions!
Congratulations to California HS a standout performance this weekend, ending in a nail bitter win 64-63 over Corona Del Mar take home the SHIP!
Championship Recap Powered By @CoachesCorner__@scibca_pic.twitter.com/JB5ugkFEDZ
The rest of the bracket had more than a few other stalwarts from across California: Santiago (Corona), Clovis West, Serra (San Mateo), Jordan (Los Angeles), Verbum Dei, Marina, Rancho Buena Vista, Bullard, Knight, Palo Alto, and Woodcreek.
Part of what makes this a big deal for the Grizzlies is that they graduated the majority of their rotation after earning a CIF-North Coast Section Open Division playoff birth. But with Kuykendall and fellow senior Emeka Ifediora coming back after averaging double-digit points as a juniors – and Jones looking good in his first games as a Grizzly after transferring from Dublin, where he averaged 12.3 PPG on 47% FG and 36% 3FG – California has one of the top trios in the NCS and beyond. The team clearly looks poised to build on its success of the 2024-25 season come winter.
Brayde Kuykendall (Santa Clara Commit) ready for a section run with Cal high! @Brayde_3@ArsenalAAU@steveohlmeyerpic.twitter.com/GWpj90eenf
— SIMPLY BASKETBALL (@simplyy_bball) July 9, 2025
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