“It gives girls the exposure they need in order to get to the next level.”
By Vincent Ordonio
While college scouts flock to Northern and Southern California, Central Valley high school girls’ basketball players are often overlooked. But, with the support of Central Valley Prospects (CVP), the Valley’s rising stars are gaining the opportunities and resources they need to compete at the collegiate level—without missing a moment of high school competition.
Milly Rojas, a Clovis High School senior who has committed to Concordia University Irvine, said the platform grants girls like her a chance to gain recognition.
“It gives girls the exposure they need in order to get to the next level,” Rojas said. “It’s very important for the Central Valley because it can be overlooked and underrated at times.”
Founded by Joe Allen in 2024, CVP delivers a one-of-a-kind platform, giving Central Valley girls’ basketball players recruiting opportunities and support in building their personal brand as they navigate the basketball landscape.
CVP also organizes showcase events, providing its athletes an opportunity to compete against top-tier talent across California, and basketball camps that give girls’ basketball players access to premier coaches and players with high-level knowledge of the game.
Along with Rojas, Clovis High senior Yazmin Aguilera and junior Amieya Walters served as coaches at CVP’s basketball camp in August, where they bonded with their teammates before the season and mentored up-and-coming girls’ basketball players in the Central Valley.
“The camp was a time for us all to connect without having to play against each other, or having to play basketball. I feel like we were getting to know each other,” Walters said.
CVP has also helped its players secure more than 30 scholarships. One of them being Aguilera, who has earned offers from Oregon Tech University and Concordia University Irvine this summer.
Beyond scholarship and recruiting opportunities, CVP also helps its athletes off the court. They provide access to wellness centers like The Body Building to aid in recovery after a hard fought game or an intense practice.
With the opportunity to use advanced recovery methods, Rojas said these resources help with her longevity throughout the year.
“It helps with keeping me able to play a variety of games throughout the week, especially during the summer,” Rojas said.
Recovery plays a large role for her teammates too. Aguilera said resources like the sauna not only helps her physically, but also mentally as she decompresses and recovers.
“With the recovery of the sauna, I think it helps me clear my mind of a lot of things,” Aguilera said. “The game of basketball is very mental—and with the things I get to do over there—it helped me clear my mind and helped me believe, after a good recovery, I could play to my full potential.”
With proper recovery playing a crucial role, CVP athletes are carrying that momentum into the season. For Walters, Aguilera and Rojas, their focus now pivots to what they want to accomplish on the hardwood this season at Clovis High.
After falling short in the Central Section basketball championship against Clovis West last season, Aguilera said the goal is to come out on top this year and make a deep run in the CIF state playoffs. With Rojas transferring to Clovis High from Monache High School for her senior year, where she was a two-time East Yosemite League MVP, Aguilera thinks that run is possible
“I think with the team we have, if we play well together, the chemistry is there, I think we could make it,” Aguilera said.
Despite a new addition to the team, the chemistry remains strong among the Clovis High teammates as Walters highlights the bond that drives them on and off the court.
“We’re not just doing it because we want to win, but also we’re doing it because we all love each other so much,” Walters said.
With the season approaching, CVP continues to give local athletes like Rojas, Aguilera and Walters the tools and opportunities to compete at a high level as they prepare for their collegiate careers.