by Noah Arteaga

Christopher Komin’s progression throughout his four years as a member of Bosco Basketball’s junior varsity (JV) and varsity programs has elevated his performance as an athlete and teammate on Bosco’s roster. Now on college scouts’ radars, he looks to solidify his legacy with his teammates in Bosco history with back-to-back CIF State titles.

The last two years, specifically, Chris has demonstrated remarkable growth and development on the court. Standing at 6’2″, he has evolved from a supportive team player into a pivotal contributor, showcasing his offensive prowess in some clutch performances. 

“Komin might be one of the biggest sleepers in America. The bouncy guard can shoot from range and is very good at picking his spots when he is aggressive on a team full of superstars,” said Sports Illustrated’s Heston Quan after the Braves competed in the 2024 Classic at Damien.

Chris grew up in Cypress, California, developing an obsession with basketball at a young age. His passion for the game began with Chris watching his older brother play and wanting to imitate him. 

Basketball led Chris towards St. John Bosco, where he instantly felt he had found a home for the next four years of his high school career.

“Upon meeting Coach Dunn and getting a tour of the school, I instantly felt a sense of family in the school. I knew I had found a home,” Chris said.

Chris’ basketball journey began starting on JV his freshman year, which continued into his sophomore season.

“It allowed me to really develop myself as a player and watch from a different perspective as the program built itself.”

Despite mostly playing JV as a sophomore, Chris played some varsity minutes. In six games and limited minutes, however, he averaged 2.5 points and 0.7 assists, according to MaxPreps. Splitting time with the JV and varsity squads allowed Chris to refine his skills and gain valuable on-court experience. 

Entering his junior year, Chris worked for the opportunity to insert himself into the rotation and impact games. With a fire lit under him, Chris upped his averages to 5.7 points, 1.2 assists and 1.4 steals. The Braves went on to win the CIF Division One State Championship that same season.

The 2024-2025 season, Chris’ senior year, has marked a significant turning point in his career. He increased his scoring output to 11.1 points while averaging 2.1 steals and 0.8 blocks, showing versatility on both ends of the court.. 

A standout moment for Chris this season came during the Section 7 Tournament in June 2024, where he delivered a stellar 27-point performance against Rainier Beach High School, sinking five of six three-point attempts, including a remarkable three-quarter court shot at halftime. 

Later that year, in December’s Classic at Damien in La Verne, California, Chris delivered more impressive performances that reinforced his pivotal role on the team.

The Classic at Damien is renowned for featuring top-tier high school basketball talent, with its Platinum Division highlighting the most elite teams. Bosco Basketball advanced through the tournament, showcasing resilience and skill.

In the semifinal matchup against La Mirada High School, Komin contributed 14 points, including two three-pointers and a notable dunk that energized his team. His performance was instrumental in securing a 66-45 victory, propelling St. John Bosco into the championship game.

The final pitted them against top-ranked Eastvale Roosevelt High School. Despite the absence of standout junior point guard Brandon McCoy, Jr., Komin stepped up, scoring 17 points, with several shots made from NBA-range. 

The game was a defensive battle, with Roosevelt leading 17-15 at halftime. Despite Chris’ offensive contributions, the Braves fell short in overtime, losing 56-55. 

Overall, Chris’ contributions during the 2024 Classic at Damien solidified his reputation as an elite guard, showcasing his offensive skills, defensive prowess and poise under pressure. 

After decommitting from Point Loma, a Division II college, weeks before the Damien tournament, Chris’ recruitment has gained momentum, with several Division I programs expressing interest.

In January, at the 2025 Spalding Hoophall Classic, held at Springfield College’s Blake Arena in Massachusetts, St. John Bosco High School faced off against nationally ranked Paul VI Catholic High School on January 18, 2025. In another closely contested game, St. John Bosco was narrowly defeated with a final score of 60-57. 

Later that month, on January 30, 2025, Sports Illustrated listed Komin at number three amongst the top 25 unsigned high school basketball seniors in Southern California. That number has since jumped to second, with Alijah Arenas committing to USC. 

The publication praised his shooting accuracy, noting a 50% field goal percentage and 42% success rate from beyond the arc. 

Komin’s consistency has been evident throughout the season. Notable performances include scoring 15 points on 67% from the field in a victory over Mater Dei on February 1, 2025 at Intuit Dome.

With countless cameras and social media pointed towards St. John Bosco, the standard has never been higher for the Braves. The margin for error is slim, and the mentality of the team is to go back-to-back and make history. 

“I try not to focus on the cameras that much even though at the stages that we play at there are so many,” said Chris. “I try to stay focused and use all of this media to my advantage, because even though they may not be there to see me, if I play as well as I can then I know they [will take notice].”

Sharing the court with nationally ranked Elzie Harrington, Brandon McCoy and Christian Collins, Chris has elevated his play and immersed himself as a leader.

“My mentality entering my senior year was ultimately to try and perform on the court to the best of my abilities [and have the opportunity] to play basketball in college for free,” said Chris. “My goals have not changed entering the playoffs, but I want to continue being a leader and supportive teammate.’’

With St. John Bosco on a deep playoff run, the expectation to win it all now is embedded in every player and coach. After knocking off a competitive Sierra Canyon, the Braves dominated a defenseless Heritage Christian in a win of 69-39.

The unwavering amount of chemistry flowing through the Braves is a staple of their success, and they are looking to get one step closer to becoming back-to-back state champions. With a familiar opponent, MaxPreps’ fifth-ranked Roosevelt Mustangs, the St. John Bosco Braves face a difficult task on the way to a CIF Open Division title.

Chris’ journey reflects a player dedicated to continuous improvement, with a strong work ethic and a knack for delivering in crucial moments. Through his faith in himself and the St. John Bosco basketball program, he has solidified himself as a leader and tireless competitor. Approaching graduation, Chris Komin’s upward trajectory entails a promising future in collegiate basketball.