With a population less than 400,000 people, the list of basketball legends that Oakland has produced can compete, pound for pound, with almost any other city in the country.
The likes of Jason Kidd, the Berry brothers, Gary Payton, and the new era of Damian Lillard, all called Oakland home.
It’s no surprise then, that people are constantly keeping an eye on The Town to see who might be next, who might be the latest player to gain stardom, that hails from the crown jewel of the East Bay. For many, Ivan Rabb is supposed to be just that. From East Oakland’s powerhouse program, Bishop O’Dowd, Rabb is taking all 6-foot-10 of himself to Cal next year to play for Cuonzo Martin.
Name: Ivan Rabb
Height: 6’10
Position: Power Forward
Ranking: Five-star, No. 7 overall
Strengths: When Rabb is at his best, he’s talking defensively, blocking shots, bringing down rebounds, and even switching out on wings when involved in a pick and roll. Then, he’s rim running, putting himself in positions to nab offensive rebounds, and finding himself on the finishing side of a highlight-reel play. He’s ability to step out and knock down the elbow jumper has certainly improved, and his touch around the rim is really something special.
Areas to Improve: The issue that I’ve had with Rabb at times is that he can play down to the level of his competition. He can also, at times, become a bit too passive offensively for someone with his talent level. If he learns to have a killer instinct at Cal, then Pac-12 competition should look out.
