The Pasadena High School basketball team returns five seniors that could help it compete with the best of the best in the CIF Southern Section Open Division, and the big reason for that is 6-foot-4 marquee senior Bryce Hamilton, who averaged 24 points and 10 rebounds as a junior and will be one of the most watched players in the Southland when the season begins later this month.

This week, Hamilton made his college decision official when he signed with UNLV in front of family and his coaching staff, and now he’s ready to put all the distractions aside and concentrate on his studies and the season ahead.

“It feels real good, glad it’s over with,” Hamilton said of signing with UNLV. “It was the best fit for me. The chemistry was so great and I liked the coaches and the rest of the team. I enjoyed the process and now I’m ready for the season.”

Hamilton announced his intentions to sign with UNLV in October. He is a four-star prospect ranked 75th nationally on rivals.com and 84th nationally on Scout.com. He is also the reigning Star-News player of the year, Pacific League MVP and was a Division 1AA first-team selection.

Pasadena basketball player Bryce Hamilton hangs out with his team before signing with UNLV at Pasadena High School on November 14, 2017. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG) .

Seated with his parents Kevin Hamilton and Jamie Jackson, Pasadena basketball player Bryce Hamilton signs with UNLV at Pasadena High School on November 14, 2017. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG) .

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Seated with his parents Kevin Hamilton and Jamie Jackson, Pasadena basketball player Bryce Hamilton signs with UNLV at Pasadena High School on November 14, 2017. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG) .

After signing with UNLV Pasadena basketball player Bryce Hamilton poses with his parents Kevin Hamilton and Jamie Jackson and coaches at Pasadena High School on November 14, 2017. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG) .

After signing with UNLV Pasadena basketball player Bryce Hamilton poses with his team and mother Jamie Jackson at Pasadena High School on November 14, 2017. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG) .



Pasadena basketball player Bryce Hamilton signs with UNLV at Pasadena High School on November 14, 2017. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG) .

After signing with UNLV Pasadena basketball player Bryce Hamilton shares a moment with Coach Jimmie Burton, who coached him since the age of 9 while he played on the City Stars AAU in Inglewood, at Pasadena High School on November 14, 2017. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG) .

Pasadena basketball player Bryce Hamilton hangs out with his team before signing with UNLV at Pasadena High School on November 14, 2017. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG) .

After signing with UNLV Pasadena basketball player Bryce Hamilton takes pictures with his mother Jamie Jackson at Pasadena High School on November 14, 2017. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG) .

Pasadena coach Tony Brooks says Hamilton is a player with everything in the tool box.

“He probably has on one of the more advanced games a high school player can have,” Brooks said. “Not only can he catch, shoot and play defense, he can create his own shot. That’s one of the last things a high schooler is able to do. And he can do that at a very high percentage. So, going to college, skies the limit for him.”

Brooks mentioned his brother Gary, Michael Holton and Michael Cooper who went on to play with the Lakers as players Hamilton is in the same conversation with when it comes to the long and storied history of Pasadena high basketball players.

“I’ve seen a lot and he’s there with the best that’s ever come out of here,” Brooks said. “There are about 20 guys you can name that were outstanding here and went on to have good college careers. Bryce is one of those guys who works so hard on his game and in the classroom that I have no doubt he’s going to have a great career at UNLV.”

Hamilton helped Pasadena (27-7) advance to last year’s Division 1-A final, losing to Harvard-Westlake, 68-58 in the championship game. Pasadena also qualified for the Division II state tournament, beating Harvard-Westlake 67-56 in a rematch in the regional semifinals before losing to Esperanza 68-58 in the regional finals, coming a game short of reaching the state championship as a 13th seed.

“We have a very challenging schedule that we set up and Bryce is going to make things easier,” Brooks said. “We’re all looking forward to the season and the challenges ahead.”