Boys’ basketball: Lonzo Ball, De’Anthony Melton, Eyassu Worku are ready to make college debuts

Lonzo Ball (Chino Hills), De’Anthony Melton (Crespi) and Eyassu Worku (Los Alamitos) were three of the best senior guards in California last season.

Now they’re ready to make their collegiate debuts, and their new coaches reported great progress on Tuesday during the kickoff luncheon for SoCal college basketball coaches at the Los Angeles Athletic Club.

Ball is at UCLA, Melton is at USC and Worku is at UC Irvine.

“Oh, he’s made a great impression,” Irvine Coach Russell Turner said of Worku, who’s still 17 years old.

USC Coach Andy Enfield said Melton has had a “tremendous fall training camp.”

UCLA Coach Steve Alford said he intends to take advantage of Ball’s versatility.

“Zo is one of those guys who’s improved throughout the summer,” Alford said. “When you have a skill set like him, that’s always encouraging.”

And Alford also praised freshmen T.J. Leaf (Foothills Christian) and Ike Anigbogu (Corona Centennial).

The season begins next month.

For the latest on high school sports, follow @LATSondheimer on Twitter