Johnny Dee knows what it means to be overlooked. As a high school senior at Rancho Buena Vista in California, the 6-foot guard lit up the scoreboard, averaging a staggering 32.8 points per game and leading his team to a 26-4 record. Yet, his only Division I scholarship offer came from Portland State.

Choosing instead to walk on at the University of San Diego, Dee defied expectations. He went on to become the Toreros' all-time leading scorer with 2,046 points, etching his name into southern California basketball history. Now the 33-year-old head coach at Santa Fe Christian School, he has a keen eye for talent that flies under the radar.

That's why his latest protégé, Dax Hall, feels so familiar. The 6-foot-1 point guard just wrapped a phenomenal senior season at Santa Fe Christian, averaging 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.3 assists en route to CIF San Diego Section Player of the Year honors. For Dee, watching Hall is like looking in a mirror—only better.

"I see a lot of myself in Dax, but he’s a way better player than I was in high school," Dee told the Journal. "He plays the whole complete game. He was our best defender... our best playmaker... had the highest 3-point percentage, and was the highest scorer."

Hall has officially signed to join the UNM Lobos next season, bringing a polished, all-around game to Albuquerque. His recruitment adds a compelling layer to the Lobos' offseason, not just because of his own talent, but due to a famous family connection.

Dax Hall is the younger brother of Jake Hall, who just completed one of the best freshman seasons in UNM history. Jake earned Mountain West Freshman of the Year and First Team honors, joining an elite list that includes NBA stars Kawhi Leonard and Anthony Bennett. While Jake is currently in the transfer portal being pursued by top programs, the Lobos have secured a major talent in his brother Dax, a player whose high school coach believes has the drive and skill to make his own legacy.