GARDENA, Calif.—At any other school, Marqise Lee would be the standout player, the recruit everyone is flocking to see.
It just so happens that he attends Junipero Serra in Gardena, Calif., which is also home to George Farmer, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound receiver with lightning speed and a father who once played for the Los Angeles Rams.
The Cavaliers, who won a state championship last year, also boast highly touted defensive ends Jason Gibson and Woodson Greer. Last year the team also had one of the nation’s top receivers in Robert Woods.
So while Lee has sometimes taken a backseat, there are signs that will change in a big way this season.
The 6-foot-1, 187-pound defensive back, who also plays wide receiver, picked off six passes and pounced on two fumbles last season. He also had 89 tackles, four touchdowns and a safety.
But he really wowed onlookers over the summer at a Nike 7 on 7 event in Oregon with seven interceptions.
“He kind of just fell into football,” coach Scott Altenberg told The Associated Press. “Last year was his coming out year as a player for us.”
Lee is listed on recruiting boards as an athlete for a reason. He’s also a star on the track and at hoops. He helped lead his basketball team to a state title last season. Lee averaged 9.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game.
“When he touches the ball, you just don’t know what’s going to happen,” Altenberg said.
Serra was the first school in state history to win titles in football and basketball in the same year. The Cavaliers’ football team, which went 15-0 last season, is being touted as one of the top five teams in the state this season.
Lee has had 11 college offers, but has yet to land one from Southern California, where teammate George Farmer is said to be leaning.
