Action tipped-off on Tuesday December 17th at the Tarkanian Classic at Bishop Gorman HS (Las Vegas NV) with prep schools taking the floor. The National Division (featuring prep schools) included the Pangos Elite 8, an eight team elite bracket featuring Dream City Christian (AZ), Trinity (NV), AZ Compass Prep (AZ), Cornerstone Christian (TX), Veritas Prep (CA), Spire (GA), TSF (GA) and CIBA at Pacific Academy (CA).
Colleges on hands included Kansas, UCLA, Texas Tech, Auburn, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma State, TCU, Utah, Oregon State, Cal, UNLV, Minnesota, Wake Forest, Kansas State, BYU, New Mexico State, Tulsa, Pacific, Long Beach State, Cal State Fullerton, San Jose State, Duquesne, Southern Utah, Columbia, Idaho, Montana State, South Dakota, Morgan State and Trinidad State.
National media/scouts present included Frank Burlison (BurlisononBasketball.com), Ronnie Flores (Ball is Life), Eric Bossi (Rivals/Yahoo Sports), Evan Daniels and Josh Gershon (247Sports.com), Andrew Slater (The Athletic), Jerry Mullen (Mullen’s Sports) and Jeremy Woo (Sports Illustrated) as well as video-outlets Ball is Life and Courtside Films.
Here is a look at some of today’s standouts:
Daishen Nix 6’5” 2020 Trinity (Las Vegas NV)
Simply stellar performance by UCLA signee Nix tonight at Tark Classic. Daishen sliced, diced and scored it seemed at will in a big win 81-57 win over Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio TX). Currently ranked #14 nationally in 2020 by Nothing But Net’s Van Coleman, Nix had a game high 39 points (including five “3s”) and displayed all facets of his elite point guard game. Nix Tark Classic Day 1 video highlights by Courtside Films: https://www.courtsidefilms.com/news_article/show/1072452
Kai Soto 7’1” 2020 TSF (Atlanta GA)
Got my first look at the much-hyped Soto and I liked what I saw. Philippines native not only has great length, agility and soft touch on his lefty jump shot but also a cool court demeanor and poise. Soto had 11 points in TSF’s decisive 69-37 win over CIBA. The 17 year old Soto has the potential to be the first home-grown Filipino to play in the NBA.
Makur Maker 6’11” 2020 CIBA @ Pacific Academy (Irvine CA)
Maker did not have a great game in a highly anticipated match-up with Kai Soto but the size/skill package is still too obvious to ignore and his high ceiling definitely has NBA teams monitoring his development. Dave Telep (San Antonio Spurs) was among the several scouts NBA teams sent to watch his game versus Soto.
Carlos Rosario 6’7” 2020 Veritas Prep (Santa Fe Springs CA)
Big wing with bona-fide 3-point stroke sparked Veritas Prep’s 46-45 upset win over Dream City Christian with 18 points. One of the most underrated seniors on the West Coast.
MarJon Beauchamp 6’6” 2020 Dream City Christian (Glendale AZ)
Athletic swingman with legit HM scoring skills has indicated he will bypass college to spend a year training for 2021 NBA Draft. MarJon, presently ranked #39 nationally in 2020 by Nothing But Net’s Van Coleman, scored 16 points versus Veritas Prep.
Arthur Kaluma 6’7” 2021 Dream City Christian (Glendale AZ)
Strong forward with versatile scoring skills is a Texas import with offers from the likes of Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, St. John’s and UNLV.
Lewis Duarte 6’5” 2022 Veritas Prep (Santa Fe Springs CA)
Athletic WG is active on both ends of the floor. Duarte’s terrific block as time expired, preserved Veritas Prep’s upset win over Dream City Christian.
Jerrell Colbert 6’9” 2021 Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio TX)
Long and athletic shot-blocker and rim-protector is also a potent scorer in the paint and in transition. Colbert had 18 points vs. Trinity.
Frankie Collins 6’2” 2021 AZ Compass Prep (Chandler AZ)
Quick and shifty lead guard plays with great confidence and has plenty of scoring punch. Collins scored 13 points in Compass Prep’s impressive 73-40 win over Spire Institute (OH).
Tre White 6’5” 2022 Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio TX)
Strong WF is an effective slashing scorer that had 17 points vs. Trinity. Once committed to Kansas, White is now wide-open and figures to be a top Big 12 target in the 2022 class.
Luis Riascos 6’4” 2020 Veritas Prep (Santa Fe Springs CA)
Savvy wing is a rangy defender and great “glue” guy.
Jhaylon Martinez 6’10” 2020 Dream City Christian (Glendale AZ)
UNLV signee is a wide-bodied post that doesn’t mind getting physical in the lane and can score through contact on the block.
Deiman Reyes 6’8” 2021 Veritas Prep (Santa Fe Springs CA)
Strong and rugged rebounder and defender has offers from Illinois, Fresno State and Pacific.
L Simpson 6’2” 2020 Golden State Prep (Napa CA)
Sierra Canyon (CA) grad is spending a post-grad year at GSP. Excellent defender with nice pull up jump shot. Full qualifier is a terrific leader.
Austin Nunez 6’1” 2022 Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio TX)
Young lead guard with nice 3-point stroke (knocked down two 3s vs. Trinity).
Michael Ofoegbu 6’7” 2020 Golden State Prep (Napa CA)
Athletic but thin post-grad swingman is very good in transition. Long Beach State was among several schools watching the Mayfair (Lakewood CA) grad today.
