So Cal Magic Bound For Lake Las Vegas Classic



The So Cal Magic program enjoyed a solid spring, and the club is expecting even bigger things in July.

“We did well in the spring, and we have added a couple of good pieces, so I think we’ll be ready to make a nice run,” said Coach Mahlon Williams. “We are very balanced this year. On any given day, you don’t know which player is going to step up and make the big plays for us. We have six or seven Division I recruits, and they can all make plays.

“This year we are very, very athletic, and the kids have shown a lot of heart and a lot of intensity. It should be a good summer.”

One of the first steps this summer will come at the Lake Las Vegas Classic, which will be played at the Westin Lake Las Vegas complex on July 10. The field in Nevada will be loaded with outstanding programs from around the country.

So Cal Magic will have a deep, talented roster. In the Class of 2016, the team features Delacy Brown (5-6, PG), Nasrin Ulel (5-9, SG), Natalie Ruhl (5-5, CG) and Jaiviana James (6-0, F).

“Delacy is an Allen Iverson type point guard. She is very fast, and she is very good at attacking the basket,” Williams said. “Nasrin can flat out score, and I think she is a Top 50 type player that has really been overlooked. She played on a small travel team last year, but I think she is special, and she can shoot it out to 25 feet.

“Natalie is one of the best shooters you are going to see. She is a very smart player who is tough as nails, and she has deep range. Jaiviana may be the best secret of the summer. She missed all last year with an ACL injury. She is very athletic, and she is going to be a special player.”

The Magic also has a list of talented younger prospects, including Sharonda Edwards (2017, 5-11, W) and Emma Merriweather (2017, 6-5, P).

“Sharonda is a phenomenal player. She is long and athletic, and she doesn’t even understand how good she can be right now,” Williams said. “Sharonda plays good defense, she shoots it out to 18 feet, she can attack the basket, and she has a good mid-range game.
“Emma has only played basketball for two years, but she is learning fast. Her mother played at Michigan State. She has a nice little jump hook, she rebounds very well, she moves well laterally and she runs the floor. I think she is going to be a top recruit by the end of the summer.”
Williams is also expecting strong summers from Danielle Simmons (2017, 6-0, F), Camron Owens (2017, 5-9, CG) and Aleeza Butler (2016, 6-0, F).