Looking Back at Perhaps the Greatest All-CIF Basketball Team Ever
The 1974-75 All-CIF Team: A Legendary Group of Players
It’s the 50-year anniversary of one of the greatest teams in Southern California high school basketball history — the 1974-75 All-CIF team in Division "AAAA."
The Most Valuable Player: David Greenwood
The most valuable player on that team was David Greenwood from Verbum Dei. He went on to star at UCLA and in the NBA.
A Record-Setting Number of NBA Players
An astounding seven players among the 10 first-team selections made it to the NBA, including Reggie Theus of Inglewood, Bill Laimbeer of Palos Verdes, Brad Holland of Crescenta Valley, Roy Hamilton of Verbum Dei, James Hardy of Long Beach Jordan, and Paul Mokeski of Crespi.
The Team’s Impact on the Game
"Everyone talks about that year because it was extraordinary with the amount of talent playing," said Holland, who played for UCLA and won an NBA title with the Lakers in 1980. "We were all blue chip, all getting recruited nationally, and for seven of us to go into the league was pretty remarkable."
The Selection Process
The All-CIF team was selected by a group of sportswriters who would meet to nominate and vote for players. The process was often contentious, with debates getting loud and personal as local writers supported players in their areas. However, this team was different.
The Legacy of the 1974-75 All-CIF Team
This team will always be remembered as one of the greatest in Southern California high school basketball history. The number of NBA players that emerged from this team is a testament to the talent and hard work of these players.
Conclusion
As Brad Holland, one of the players on the 1974-75 All-CIF team, reflected on the team’s achievements, he said, "It brings back great memories."
FAQs
- How was the All-CIF team selected?
The All-CIF team was selected by a group of sportswriters who would meet to nominate and vote for players. - How many players from the 1974-75 All-CIF team went on to play in the NBA?
Seven players from the team went on to play in the NBA. - What was the significance of the 1974-75 All-CIF team?
The team will always be remembered as one of the greatest in Southern California high school basketball history, with a record number of players going on to play in the NBA.
