Sierra Canyon adds Ashton Hardaway, former NBA star’s son

The Sierra Canyon boys basketball program added three transfers in the past couple weeks, highlighted by Ashton Hardaway, a 6-foot-8 wing who scored 10 points per game for Duncanville High in Texas last season as a junior. Hardaway is the son of former NBA All-Star Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway, who is the head coach for the men’s basketball team at the University of Memphis.

The Trailblazers also added Jimmy Oladokun, a senior transfer from Damien High, and sophomore Bryce Cofield from West Ranch, sources confirmed.

Hardaway, who holds offers from Oklahoma State, SMU, USC and Texas Tech, adds to the list of current or former NBA players whose sons have played at Sierra Canyon. The program is currently headlined by senior Bronny James, the son of LeBron James.

If Sierra Canyon’s star power wasn’t already enough, the combination of James and Hardway connecting on an alley-oop will add even more flair.

Hardaway will be the fourth son of a current or former NBA player on this year’s Sierra Canyon team. NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen has a son, Justin, on the team who will be a junior this fall. Bronny’s younger brother, Bryce, will be on the Sierra Canyon varsity roster as well. Bryce, who’s already taller than Bronny, will be a sophomore.

Scottie’s older son, Scotty Pippen Jr., graduated from Sierra Canyon in 2019 before going on to play at Vanderbilt. Scotty Pippen played for the Lakers’ NBA Summer League team recently.

Other NBA players’ sons who have suited up for the Trailblazers include Kenyon Martin Jr., Duane Washington Jr. and Terren Frank.

Oladokun, a 6-foot-8 power forward, was primed to be Damien’s best player this upcoming season, but will instead add depth and an athletic defensive presence to the Trailblazers’ frontline.

Cofield is a young, athletic guard with a high motor and will look to crack the rotation as a sophomore.

Sierra Canyon in Europe

Sierra Canyon, playing as California Basketball Club (better known as CBC), has taken its show to Europe. Bronny James and teammates are spending a week playing exhibition games in London, Paris and Rome, respectively, taking on three different under-18 international teams.

CBC lost to Hoopsfix Elite 81-74 on Thursday in London. The team’s remaining games are scheduled for Monday in Paris (ESPN2) and Thursday, Aug. 18 (ESPNU) in Rome.

It’s not the first time the team has traveled out of the country before a new school year started. Before Bronny’s freshman year of high school in 2019, the team traveled to China, where the young teens were encouraged to try unfamiliar cuisine, like pigeon feet. This summer’s culinary challenge: Escargot.

The AXE Euro Tour, created by Paragon Marketing Group, will incorporate basketball along with an educational sightseeing experience for CBC with visits to historical sites in each city including Buckingham Palace, London Tower, Big Ben, Eiffel Tower, Versailles Palace, Louvre Museum, Vatican, Rome Colosseum and Pantheon.

PHOTO BY ANDY HOLZMAN backs, wideouts, linebackers, edge rushers, even kickers and punters. However, the big-game victories haven’t materialized the last few seasons. Last year, the Lions lost to Chaminade 48-17, Sierra Canyon 20-9, Alemany 56-21 and St. Bonaventure 34-13in what decided the Marmonte League championship. When Oaks Christian traveled to Sierra Canyon during the 2021spring season, it was shut out for the first time in program history, 42-0. When it comes to the bright lights, or as some call it “the step-up game,” the Lions have fallen short ... by a wide margin. On the flip side, Oaks Christian benefited from a mediocre 2021fall regular season and was placed in the CIF Southern Section Division 5playoffs. That was a much lower division than the program’s expectations, according to team captain Jalen Lewis. “We’re always aiming to be in the Division 1playoffs,” Lewis said at the Marmonte League’s recent media day. There are more step-up games for the Lions this fall: opening the season with Chaminade before taking on Oaks Christian players participate in the Marmonte League football media day on Tuesday.

PHOTO BY ANDY HOLZMAN Bronny James and Sierra Canyon, playing as California Basketball Club, are in Europe for a three-city tour. They lost their first game Thursday.