4-star SG Jovani Ruff commits to Cal

Four-star Jovani Ruff, one of the top shooting guards on the west coast, has committed to Cal and head coach Mark Madsen, he announced live on the On3 Recruits YouTube Channel.

In addition to the Golden Bears, the 6-foot-4 rising senior out of Long Beach Poly (CA) also received offers from Oregon, USC, Kansas, and others.

According to the On3 Industry Rankings, Ruff is the No. 53 overall prospect in the 2025 cycle. He’s also the No. 9 shooting guard prospect. The On3 Industry Ranking is a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Ruff on his commitment to Cal

Jovani Ruff went in-depth on his decision to choose Cal with On3.

“I picked Cal because they were on me the hardest,” Ruff said. “Through the ups and downs, they believed in me the most out of all the schools, and it’s a Cali school. Coach Madsen and the staff made me feel like family for the time I took my official visit, they keep it real with me and we’ve had some deep conversations about not just basketball but life.”

In his own words, what type of player is Cal getting in Jovani Ruff?

“I would say I’m a two way threat. I can score at will while guarding the other teams best player, and I want to win.”

Ruff has a message for Cal fans.

“Cal fans are getting someone that is hungry to win and they are getting a genuinely good person that will be looking to bring people back to Cal basketball!”

Scouting Report

“Jovani Ruff has good positional size with a projectable frame and nice length. He has fluid mobility and an innate sense of where to be off ball. He is a solid cutter and a good off ball defender. The jump shot is a question-mark. He is not a catch and shoot threat and the excess movement in his release elongate his shooting stroke off the bounce. Can struggle to get clean looks with solid athletes guarding him. I like his defensive instincts. Has quick hands and can move his feet. He is comfortable on the ball, can push the break and get to spots on the half court. A solid athlete. The jump shot and overall shooting is the swing skill. Needs to clean up the load and release.” – On3’s Jamie Shaw