SUNNYVALE – There’s a certain maturity to Boss Mhoon’s game that makes him stand out from all other players on the court. 

The King’s Academy forward is shifty, but doesn’t play fast. He can get his shot off whenever he wants, but prefers to get his teammates involved. His athleticism and instinctive nature on defense makes scoring against the Knights a challenging task for any opposing team.  

And when it matters most, Mhoon is a guy his coach can trust when the game is on the line. He’s the type of player that plays with the ease of a seasoned veteran. 

Except he isn’t. 

The King’s Academy’s Boss Mhoon (24) takes a shot against Half Moon Bay in the first quarter at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 

Mhoon is only a freshman, but has already made a name for himself as one of the top young players in the Bay Area. His athleticism is eye-popping and his offensive polish is advanced for a player just 15-years-old. 

“He’s a really great player,” TKA coach Cameron Bradford said. “We’re happy he’s here. He’s done so much for the program already. We’re just super excited he’s with us.” 

Earlier this season, Mhoon received his first Division I offer, from UC San Diego, and is on track to rack up more offers before the end of the year. 

“There is no ceiling for him,” Bradford said. “He’s long, athletic and has a great IQ. On top of it all, he’s just really hungry for the game.” 

Gerry Freitas, former college basketball coach and current scout for Prephoops.com, echoed Bradford’s sentiments.

“He doesn’t look like a freshman and he doesn’t really play like on either,” Freitas said. “Some guys just kind of try to fit in and aren’t playing in attack mode. He’s not like that. He steps up and and tries to show what he can do from his own standpoint and blend it into his team, which is a good thing.

“He’s a division one guy at some level, time will tell what that is. … We’ll see in the long run what level he ends up in, but he’s a definite Division I prospect.”

While a player of Mhoon’s caliber is often at one of the area’s top programs or even at high-level prep school, Mhoon’s connection to TKA is based in tradition.  

“My older brother went here and so did all my cousins,” Mhoon said. “My older brother won the school’s first CCS championship in 2023, so he really inspired me to be here at TKA.” 

The King’s Academy’s Boss Mhoon (24) high-fives head coach Cameron Bradford during their game against Half Moon Bay in the third quarter at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 

Coming from a family of athletes, Mhoon had all the support he needed from an early age. 

Mhoon’s brother, Jaalen Mhoon, was a key player on TKA’s CCS Division IV championship team and played football at the Pacific University in Oregon last season. Mhoon’s dad, Rickey Mhoon, is a well-known basketball trainer in the San Jose area and is a coach for the South Bay Magic Elite – one of the Bay Area’s top AAU programs.

“I’ve been able to coach Boss my whole life,” said Rickey, who is an assistant on TKA’s staff. “This transition to TKA is more just about being in the moment with Boss and him knowing that he’s always got someone on his back and in his corner.”

Named after former Detroit Lions linebacker Boss Bailey, Mhoon came into this season as one of the most highly-touted freshmen in the state. 

Last year, Mhoon was a star for the Oakland Soldiers 14U EYBL team – a group that included some of the top eighth graders on the West Coast. Mhoon wowed scouts with his athleticism and three-level shot-making.

His play at the top national AAU tournaments earned him an invitation to the USA Basketball Junior National Team Fall Mini Camp, where he got the chance to compete against the best players from the Class of 2028. 

Mhoon said it was one of the most humbling experiences he has had. 

“It was a wake-up call,” Mhoon said. “They were all huge and athletic, but to be honest, it felt good to be there to show my abilities and prove that I’m one of the best in the country.” 

The King’s Academy’s Boss Mhoon (24) walks on the court during their game against Half Moon Bay in the first quarter at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 

With all the hype surrounding Mhoon, the freshman wing couldn’t have asked for a better coming-out party.

In TKA’s first game of the season, Mhoon scored a game-high 19 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out three assists to lead the Knights to a 79-39 win over Scotts Valley. Two days later, Mhoon had 22 points and 11 rebounds in a 77-46 victory against Terra Nova. 

“Boss is super talented and he’s just been a great addition to our team,” said TKA junior point guard Xavier Barnett, who also played with Jaalen as a freshman. “You have to just give him the green light, but we also have to know when we need to stop to let him play his game.”

With Mhoon, Barnett, junior sharp shooter Claxton Ladine and a plethora of depth behind them, TKA has the tools it needs to make another run at a section and maybe even a NorCal title. Through 20 games, the Knights are 17-3 and are on a 10-game winning streak. 

The King’s Academy’s Boss Mhoon (24) and Adrian Barnett (0) celebrates a basket by a teammate against Half Moon Bay in the fourth quarter at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 

A successful freshman campaign for Mhoon is to be lifting hardware in Sacramento in March. 

“The ultimate goal is to win CCS and then win state,” he said. 

When asked if he feels like he is the top player in the state – an unusual question for a freshman but perhaps fair in this case – without hesitation the 6-foot-4 freshman said, “I do. It doesn’t matter who I’m playing. I still play my game even if my opponent is a top player in the country.”

The King’s Academy’s Boss Mhoon (24) take a shot against Half Moon Bay in the second quarter at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
The King’s Academy’s Boss Mhoon (24) shakes hands with Half Moon Bay after their 69-45 win over Half Moon Bay at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
The King’s Academy’s Boss Mhoon (24) heads to the basket against Half Moon Bay’s Levi Meighen (25) in the third quarter at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
The King’s Academy’s Boss Mhoon (24) high-fives teammates during their game against Half Moon Bay in the third quarter at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
The King’s Academy’s Boss Mhoon (24) takes a shot against Half Moon Bay’s Asher Meighen (4) and Half Moon Bay’s Maverick Johnson (20) in the second quarter at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
The King’s Academy’s Boss Mhoon (24) chats with The King’s Academy’s Xavier Barnett (4) during their game against Half Moon Bay in the third quarter at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
The King’s Academy’s Boss Mhoon (24) gets hugs after their 69-45 win over Half Moon Bay at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
The King’s Academy’s Boss Mhoon (24) celebrates a basket by a teammate against Half Moon Bay in the fourth quarter at The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)