By Kaleb Knowles
Sierra Canyon’s men’s basketball team has attracted a range of top talent and hype over the past few seasons. From players like Amari Bailey, Ziaire Williams, and both of LeBron James’ sons, Bronny and Bryce, the squad has been one of the most well-known high school teams in the country. However, there’s a new face on the block at the 2026 Panini Hoophall Classic, and his name is Brandon McCoy.
McCoy stands today as the No. 19 recruit in the country per ESPN. The versatile combo guard brings an all-around skill set to the floor. Primarily known for his defense and downhill playstyle, he uses his size and body frame to his advantage. Standing at 6-foot5”, he is gifted with a 6’10” wingspan that comes into play on the defensive end.
“The main thing I want to be known for is a winner,” McCoy said. “I want to win all the time.”
That winning mentality is something he brings with him to the court every game. Yet, the tall guard is known for more than just his defense and ability to get down the lane. McCoy is also a great teammate. During Sierra Canyon’s win against Columbus (Fla.) on Saturday at Hoophall, McCoy demonstrated his leadership, calling out screens, directing his teammates and dishing the ball to the open man.
“Brandon’s leadership definitely shows on the court just by the way he plays,” said Sierra Canyon Head Coach Andre Cheva. “This year, he has been more of a verbal leader. He makes sure that everybody on our team stays locked into our culture, which is vital for us.”
That leadership wasn’t given easily; it was earned. In the three previous seasons, McCoy played at St. John Bosco in Bellflower, Calif. Now in his first season at Sierra Canyon, he has quickly shown his teammates he is someone who can be a leader. In his new role, he has excelled, and to the naked eye, it looks like he’s been a part of Sierra Canyon for awhile.
“I am enjoying the season a lot. I feel like I made a good decision on transferring to the school. The coaches welcomed me in, and the players did as well. I feel like this is where I really belong,” McCoy said after his team’s impressive 75-58 win.
During that win, McCoy was the star. He flew up and down the court in transition, creating steals and leading the breakaway with an acrobatic finish at the end. Early in the second quarter, McCoy stripped the ball away from Columbus guard Cello Jackson and finished at the other end by ascending through the air and slamming the ball in with two hands. By the end of the game, he was tied for a team-high 24 points to go along with his 10 rebounds.
While McCoy is still undecided on his college decision, he is focused on making sure to finish the season off strong and be a winner when the final whistle blows. By the end of it, he will have plenty of options as he has offers from schools like Duke, Arkansas and Michigan. Not only is it McCoy’s film that makes him a valuable prospect, but it’s also his experience.
McCoy is a proud member of Team USA basketball and won a gold medal with the 16U National team. He was also named “Best Defensive Player” of the FIBA U17 World Cup tournament.
“USA basketball has definitely changed my life. It has given me so many opportunities to play on a national and international platform,” McCoy said.
McCoy has the rest of the season ahead of him to look forward to. With future hopes at a California state championship on the horizon before his eventual college commitment, he wants to prove that he is a winner and has what it takes to perform on the biggest stages.
(Photo by Liam Reilly/The Student)