Fresno Mad Dogs' Shocking First Overall Pick Highlights Cali Championship Hoops Inaugural Draft
In the historic first-ever draft for Cali Championship Hoops, the Fresno Mad Dogs left fans and pundits in awe with their unexpected selection of point guard Lamar Anderson from Crawford High School as the first overall pick.
League experts and mock drafts had anticipated the Mad Dogs would choose Jack McMichael Jr., the highly touted point guard from San Diego High who was selected fourth by the Los Angeles Dynamics. However, newly hired head coach Pooh Splitter surprised everyone by opting for the talented and under-the-radar prospect, Lamar Anderson.
"Lamar is exactly the type of foundational player we want to build this team around," Splitter explained in a post-draft interview. "He's a tenacious defender who shined in high school and led his team to back-to-back playoff berths."
Standing at 6-foot-5, Anderson possesses an intensity and physicality beyond his years, earning him All-Defensive Team honors. His playmaking vision and scoring ability make him a versatile option to kick off the Mad Dogs' roster.
Round 1 Recap:
- Fresno Mad Dogs: PG Lamar Anderson (Crawford HS)
- San Francisco Knights: PG Munir Kassa (Lincoln HS)
- Long Beach Vipers: SG A.J. Hinton (Crawford HS)
- Los Angeles Dynamics: PG Jack McMichael Jr. (San Diego HS)
- Sacramento Stallions: C Dorell Kabal (New Mexico JC)
- San Diego Styrkers: SG Jamar Dean (Lincoln HS)
- Golden State Enterprise: SF DeAnte Gray (San Diego HS)
- Anaheim Admirals: PG Josh Parks (San Ysidro HS)
- San Jose Tigersharks: C Cameron Barkley (Scripps Ranch HS)
- California Reds: PF J.C. McMillan (Christian HS)
- San Diego Sabrewolves: C Andre Creek (Santa Clara University)
- Oakland Renegades: PG Alonzo Reece (Helix HS/Fresno State)
The first round of the draft extended to a staggering 17 hours, primarily due to intense negotiations between teams, players, and their agents. This process was implemented by team owners during the offseason to ensure that teams do not lose their first pick due to failed negotiations.
In a departure from tradition, this draft lacked the customary live event with an arena full of spectators. There were no commissioner handshakes, no iconic jersey-holding moments in front of friends and family. Instead, the league chose to settle for a modern approach, announcing each pick exclusively on the official Instagram account through
stories.
"It was a cluster," commented Commissioner Ray Lenearl. "I didn't get to bed until 7 am. Hopefully, we'll find a better process in the future."
It's not what the league wanted, but this virtual unveiling marked a shift from the conventional draft experience, embracing the digital age and connecting fans with the excitement of the selections in real-time.
As Cali Championship Hoops prepares for its inaugural season, the unexpected selections and behind-the-scenes negotiations have set the stage for an exciting and unpredictable journey ahead. Basketball enthusiasts eagerly await the debut of these rising stars and the unfolding drama on the league's hardwood.