He may be the son of former USC and Oakland Raider running back Zeph Lee, but Prolific Prep (Napa, CA) Junior, Ira Lee has decided to take his own path in his search for athletic greatness. Widely considered as one of the top basketball players in the Class of 2017, Lee is ready to take his game to the next level and lead Prolific Prep to a national championship. “I want to win a national championship and just get better. I want to show the country that I can do more than just play hard, a lot more.”

 

Lee grew up a football player and, therefore, didn’t start playing basketball until the age of 12, but once he started, there was no doubt that he had found his niche.  “I always thought that I would be like my dad, but then I figured out that I have to choose something else. When I started playing basketball at 12, I found the place for me, and discovered my love for the game.”

In a matter of a few years, Lee became of the top high school basketball players in the country, attending Sierra Canyon High School (Chatsworth, CA). At Sierra Canyon, Lee played with fellow Class of 2017 four-star prospect, Cody Riley, and they soon became one of high school basketball’s most efficient teammates. During the 2014-2015 season, Lee and Riley led Sierra Canyon to a 26-4 record and a CIF championship. Even with the tremendous success, that wasn’t enough for Lee.

 

This past season, Lee transferred from Sierra Canyon to Prolific Prep with hopes of a new start and the chance to win a national championship. “There was nothing wrong with the team. I love those guys. I still talk to them right now. There were just some disagreements that I had with the program at Sierra Canyon and I felt that it was just best that I left.” commented Lee on the situation.

Immediately after joining Prolific Prep, he felt right at home. “I’ve had to earn my spot from the beginning. I’ve had to play hard, show what I can do, and my transition right now has been pretty smooth. Josh Jackson has accepted me on the team, and so has Vance Jackson, so it’s been pretty smooth.”

Now, after a successful start at Prolific Prep, Lee has his sights set on proving himself to the nation: “Of course, I want to win a national championship and I just want to get better. I want to show the country that I can do more than just play hard. I can do a lot more. Last year, I missed my whole Sophomore year, so I have more to prove for the rest of my high school career.” the 6’8”, 195lb Power Forward said.

 

Playing hard seems to be the main trademark of Lee’s game and college scouts have begun to notice, picking up offers from schools such as Arizona, Oregon, and Texas and as the recruiting process starts to pick up, Lee plans to cut his list down to seven schools. “I want to see how a coach works and how he is with his players. Tempo, tempo of play, and education are also important. Education is still key for me.” explained Lee on what he is looking for in a school.

 

As Ira Lee completes his Junior year with Prolific Prep, there is no doubt that he is ready to prove to the country that he is one of the top high school basketball players in the country. With a national championship in sight, Lee has the chance to do just that. He is undoubtedly a player to look out for in the 2017 Class, as he continues to Play Hard and carry on a family legacy.