The 11th annual Jerry Tarkanian Classic is being held December 16-21, 2023 @ Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas NV) and surrounding area gyms. 125+ high school boys squads (spread over 8 divisions) and 70+ prep programs (National Division) are participating this year. I was at the event for Day 2 and 3 of the HS portion of the Tark Classic and below is a breakdown of 15 additional players that performed well over those two days. This is in addition to my top 15 performers on Day 3, which can be accessed in the link below.
6’6 Tyrone Riley 2024 (St. Pius/St. Matthias (Downey CA)
Riley had an outstanding showing at the Tark Classic, as he would earn MVP honors for the Platinum Division behind a 31 point outburst to lead the Warriors to the title. Riley displayed his ability to score in volume quickly in the quarterfinals, as the Warriors were down by 14 going into the break to Alta of Utah. Riley had 6 points after two periods but his level of play accelerated in the 2nd half, as he would score 18 of his game-high 24 points after intermission. He hit a pair of threes and had some entertaining dunks to help give his team the win. Riley is a lengthy and athletic wing/slasher with solid handles, moves to create off the bounce, and great lift on his jumper. He is active on the glass, alters shots with his length, and is a versatile defender. The future Don does things on the court you simply cannot teach.
6’1 Nick Jefferson 2025 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas NV)
Jefferson put on an impressive display of lead guard play at the Tark Classic, as was evident by his 24 point performance in the Gaels’ loss to Desert Mountain of Arizona in the quarterfinals of the Platinum Division. Jefferson had a quiet first half with 5 points, but erupted for 19 in the 2nd half to help keep the host team close. Jefferson would finish with a team-high 24 points connecting on 3 threes in the process. Jefferson has solid handles, shifty moves to create separation from his defender, quick hands on defense to generate turnovers, and hits the 3-ball with accuracy off the dribble or the catch and shoot. He has solid court vision to make plays when on the attack but is at his best when looking to score the ball.
6’3 Kalek House 2026 Desert Mountain (Scottsdale AZ)
House displayed his versatility as a lead guard that impacts the game on both ends at a high clip. House was outstanding in the Wolves quarterfinal win over the host team, Bishop Gorman, as he would go for 27 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block en route to a 81 to 65 win. House uses his frame to get down hill and finish through traffic at the basket, gets good lift on his jumper, and is effective from beyond the arc. House is a high level on ball defender, has active hands to rip his opponent, and has good bounce to control the boards, which allows him to push the ball up the court. House has solid court vision, plays with good pace and control, and finds teammates in tight windows when on the attack. Great motor and tenacity that allow him to log extensive minutes.
6’8 Shon Abaev 2025 Calvary Christian (Fort Lauderdale FL)
Abaev came out the gates firing from deep and rocking the rim on some high flying dunks in the first quarter of the Eagles quarterfinal match-up against Branson of Ross, CA. Abaev had 14 points going into the break, as he was doing the heavy lifting to keep his squad close, 31 to 29. After a quiet 3rd quarter, Abaev got hot again in the final frame, as he did all he could to help his team stay close and finished with 30 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists in the loss to the Bulls. Abaev controls the class, has the handles to push the ball up the court, displays the court vision to make plays with the height to see over the defense, and has range on the 3-ball. Abaev has the moves to create off the bounce, and with his size and length, can rise up over most defenders. He is also a solid shot blocker and scores in volume.
5’8 David Mack 2024 St. Pius/St. Matthias (Downey CA)
Mack provided the additional spark, along with Riley, in the 2nd half of the Warriors comeback win over Alta of Utah in the quarterfinals. The shifty and crafty lead guard turned up in the 4th quarter of the quarterfinal game and would score 10 of his 20 in the final frame to help secure the win. Mack has a strong handle on the ball, a quick crossover and first step to get by his initial defender, and can stop on a dime for the pull-up jumper. Mack can space the floor with the 3-ball off the dribble or the catch and shoot and is a tough on-ball defender. Key addition for the Warriors this season and already paying off big time.
6’2 Jaden Bailes 2026 St. Augustine (San Diego CA)
Bailes was cooking from beyond the arc and showed he can be the Saints leading scorer if need be at the Tark Classic. Bailes opened up the event with a 22 point game, which was followed by a game high 20 points in a quarterfinal win over Las Vegas’ Arbor View, connecting on 3 threes. Bailes has a solid handle on the ball, the frame to attack down hill and finish through contact in the lane, and gets nice lift on his jumper. Bailes has the moves to create off the bounce and looks to pull the 3-ball as soon as he gets any separation from his defender. Bailes uses his physical build to draw contact, which earned him multiple trips to the free throw line.
6’3 Isaiah “Slim” Rogers 2026 Centennial (Corona CA)
Rogers has been one of the fastest rising players in the class of 2026 and he had his smooth shooting on display in the Huskies win over fellow SoCal squad in St. Bernard of Playa del Rey. Rogers scored all 15 of his points from beyond the arc connecting on 5 threes in the Consolation quarterfinal win. Rogers has nice handles, keeps the ball on a string, weaves through traffic with his head on a swivel to find open teammates, and has a deadly stop and pop jumper. Rogers moves well off the ball, gets to the open spot, and has the moves to counter when his defender closes out. He has emerged as one of the big three for the Huskies and continues to grow in that role.
6’3 Zach Chauhan 2024 Clovis West (Fresno CA)
Chauhan had a stellar first half in the consolation quarterfinals of the Platinum Division, going for 13 of his team high 15 points to keep the Golden Eagles close against eventual Consolation Champs, Bishop O’Connell of Virginia. Chauhan was hitting from mid-range and around the basket against a big front line for the Knights. Chauhan is a wing/forward that can score in volume with accuracy from all 3-levels. Chauhan is an underrated athlete that does a solid job on the boards, has active hands on defense to create perimeter turnovers, and moves well off the ball to get open looks off the catch and shoot. Chauhan has good body control to absorb and finish through contact within fifteen feet.
5’11 Cayden Daughtry 2027 Calvary Christian (Fort Lauderdale FL)
Daughtry was one of the better 3-point shooters at the Tark Classic and he had his shooting ability on display in the quarterfinals against Branson of Ross, CA. Daughtry kept the Eagles in the game in the 3rd quarter when Abaev went cold, as he connected on 3 threes over the 8 minute period. Daughtry has solid handles, moves well off the ball to get open looks, and shoots it with supreme confidence. Impressed with the poise and confidence the freshman shooting guard displayed in the 2 games I saw him play.
6’2 Caleb Versher 2025 St. Bernard (Playa del Rey CA)
Versher is a strong and athletic combo guard that impacts the game in countless ways, as was evident by his 10 point, 3 blocks, and 2 assists stat line against Centennial Corona. Versher is a Swiss Army Knife for the Vikings with the quick leaping ability to control the boards, the handles to push the pace of play, and the timing and vertical bounce to alter shots in the paint and on the perimeter. He has quick hands, the lateral quickness to stay in front of perimeter players, and the strength to take the ball from his opponent and turn defense to offense. Versher gets good lift on his jumper and can space the floor with the 3-ball.
6’ Jace Kellogg 2026 Clovis West (Fresno CA)
Kellogg displayed impressive two-way play for the Golden Eagles in its loss to O’Connell in the semifinals of the Consolation bracket of the Platinum Division. Kellogg was locked in on the defensive end, causing havoc for opposing ball-handlers and forcing them to give up the rock. Offensively, Kellogg displayed his on court quickness with the ball in hand, making use of the hesitation and redirection to create space from his defender. Kellogg finished with 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists and is showing why he is one of the best sophomores in the Central Section.
6’7 Kevin Thomas 2026 Sagemont (Weston FL)
Thomas was one of the more intriguing long term prospects I saw over the days I was at the Tark Classic, as he has the wingspan, length, size, and athleticism to become a nationally known prospect. Thomas had a solid showing for Sagemont in a loss to Centennial Corona in the semifinals of the Consolation bracket, as he would score 13 points and connect on 3 threes. Thomas has the length to defend in the post, as well as the agility and athleticism to stay in front of perimeter players. Thomas also had some monster blocks and serves as a high level rim protector. Thomas has enough handles to create off the dribble and with continued development is a name to keep an eye on.
6’5 Kameron Cooper 2027 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas NV)
Cooper is a lengthy wing/slasher that can light it up from the 3-point line and does a solid job on the boards. Cooper connected on 3 threes in the Gaels’ loss to Desert Mountain, but showed some great upside as a freshman, finishing with 13 points. Cooper does a solid job on the glass, has nice touch on finishes around the basket, and has a smooth stroke on the jumper. Intriguing long term prospect that is earning a lot of playing time due to the transfer of multiple players over the Summer, which should accelerate his development.
6’7 Christian Collins 2026 St. Bernard (Playa del Rey CA)
Collins had a solid showing against Centennial Corona in the Consolation quarterfinals with 10 points and 6 rebounds in the loss. Collins is one of the more intriguing long term prospects with his massive wingspan, length and size in one of the deepest classes since 2020. Collins can space the floor with the 3-ball, has the handle and moves to attack off the wing, and his pull-up jumper is nearly impossible to block with his length. Collins is definitely a player that many in the West have an eye on the next few years, as he could jump up the regional and national ranks, especially playing alongside fellow sophomore and national phenom Tajh Ariza.
6’7 Pharaoh Compton 2024 Arbor View (Las Vegas CA)
Compton is one of the more physically imposing players in the country and the future San Diego State commit had that on display on days 2 and 3 at the Tark Classic. Compton had 14 points in the loss to St. Augustine of San Diego in the quarterfinals, followed by a 12 point and 9 rebound performance in a loss to Alta of Utah. Compton has a seven foot plus wingspan and nice footwork, which allows him to pivot to spots that lead to tantalizing dunks, one and two handed. Compton controls the boards, has good timing to be a superior shot blocker in the paint, and has nice touch and good hands on entry passes in the interior.
