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Cal head coach Mark Fox added three prep standouts to the Bears' 2021 class during the early signing period.
MBB11/13/2020 1:27 PM | By: Cal Athletics
Bears Ink Trio During Early Signing Period
Mark Fox Adds One Guard, Pair Of Forwards To 2021 Class
BERKELEY – California men's basketball signed three prep standouts to National Letters of Intent, head coach
Mark Fox announced Friday. Forwards Sam Alajiki and Obinna Anyanwu and guard Marsalis Roberson make up the three-person class, and will join Cal for the 2021-22 season.
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"We believe we've added a trio of quality young men who will make our program better on the court and in the classroom," Fox said. "Sam, Obinna and Marsalis will each bring distinct elements and talents to our team, and I look forward to coaching them next year."
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Originally from Dundalk, Ireland, Alajiki has split time abroad and in the states throughout his prep basketball career. The 6-7 forward moved to England before arriving in the United States, where he had a breakout junior year at Beckley Prep (Mount Hope, W. Va.) in 2019-20. Alajiki transferred to St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.) for his senior year.
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"Sam is a mature young man and an elite student who comes from a great family," Fox said. "We believe he is a guy who can play, athletically, in our league right now. In addition to being a downhill bull with the ball in his hands, Sam is a good shooter."
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Anyanwu, a senior at Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego, is a two-time CIF champion and one of the top-rated forwards in the state of California. He earned CIF San Diego Section First Team honors each of the past two years and was an all-state selection as a freshman. With his AAU team, Dream Vision, Anyanwu won the 2016 AAU Division I national championship.
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"Obinna is big and can play the three or the four position," Fox said. "He's physically imposing, and his motor is what immediately drew us to him. He's relentless and attacks the basket and the boards with energy. His skills have developed to where he can now consistently knock down the outside jump shot, and we see him only getting better."
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Roberson, an Oakland native, is the second Cal signee in as many years to come from Bishop O'Dowd High School, joining current freshman forward
Monty Bowser. The 6-5 guard was named Bay Area Preps HQ's 2020 Player of the Year and earned All-Metro First Team honors from the San Francisco Chronicle. He led Bishop O'Dowd in points (16.5) and rebounds (6.5) as a junior.
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"Most importantly, Marsalis is a great kid with high character," Fox said. "He's a conscientious student, a hard worker and very competitive. His athleticism and aggression on both ends of the floor really stand out."
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NAME |
POSITION |
HT/WT |
HOMETOWN |
HIGH SCHOOL |
Sam Alajiki |
 F |
6-7/225 |
Dundalk, Ireland |
St. Benedict's Preparatory School (N.J.) |
Obinna Anyanwu |
 F |
6-7/215 |
San Diego, Calif. |
Cathedral Catholic HS |
Marsalis Roberson |
 G |
6-5/180 |
Oakland, Calif. |
Bishop O'Dowd HS |
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