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. This event has been denoted for the 2nd straight year as a NBA certified event. Saturday’s opening day featured prep school action in the National Division including a monster matchup with Fab50 implications: Prolific Prep/CA vs. AZ Compass Prep. A game won by Prolific Prep (56-48).
A large contingent of national/regional media and scouts have already shown up so far including Frank Burlison (BurlisonOnBasketball.com/McDonald’s All-American Game voter), Ronnie Flores (BallisLife.com & GrassrootsHoops.net), Dinos Trigonis (Fullcourt Press & Nothing But Net), Gregg Rosenberg, Bruce Williams, Britt Wright and Greg Stein (Prep Hoops), Chad Groth (Area Codes Scouting), Alex Brown and Conrad Chow (Pro Insight), Chris Popoola and Jerina Madayeg (Hardwood Equity) and Nate Buss (Nate Buss Hoop Talk).
Colleges that passed through on the event’s opening day included Gonzaga, Washington, New Mexico, Long Beach State, Cal Poly, Stephen F. Austin, San Diego, Old Dominion, New Mexico State, Southern Utah, Cal State Bakersfield and Simon Fraser as well as NBA team scouts from Utah Jazz, Portland Trailblazers, Detroit Pistons, OKC Thunder and Washington Wizards
Below, we highlight several players that stood out on Day 1:
Tyran Stokes 6’7” 2026 Prolific Prep (Napa CA)
Strong and skilled Alpha Male forward is productive on both ends of the court and every time he steps on the floor! Stokes came out of the gates energized vs. AZ Compass Prep – sparking Prolific Prep to a big early lead and made enough plays down the stretch to hold off a furious AZ Compass Prep 4th quarter rally to get the hard-fought win. Stokes tied teammate Zoom Diallo for a team-high 15 points (2 threes) to go along with 6 rebounds. Now with teammate AJ Dybantsa reclassified to 2025, Stokes has made a strong case for #1 status in the national soph class (2025).
AJ Dybantsa 6’8” 2025 Prolific Prep (Napa CA)
Fresh off a reclass to the 2025 class, AJ has created very strong expectations due to his magnificent play this past AAU season with Expression Elite in the Nike EYBL (was one of the leading scorers in the 17u division despite playing only 1 year of varsity HS hoops) including a phenomenal Nike Peach Jam performance (averaging 25.8 points, 5.6 boards and 2.4 assists per game in 5 contests there). Although AJ did not play up to his normal level in Prolific’s win over AZ Compass Prep (scored just 7 points on 2/12 shooting) today, the talent is too blaring to ignore. Super bouncy swingman has terrific ball skills that provide him the space necessary to get his jump shot off as well as the capacity to finish above the rim with authority. Consensus #1 in 2025 as 247Sports.com, Rivals.com, On3.com and ESPN.com all have him currently in their top spot. At the top of NBA team scouts’ “watch list” here at the Tark Classic.
Vyctorious Miller 6’5” 2024 Az Compass Prep (Chandler AZ)
Future Oregon Duck is a skilled and savvy scoring lead guard that plays with plenty of confidence. After a slow start against Prolific Prep, VJ turned up the heat in the 2nd half (scoring 11 points in that period). One of the top performers at last June’s Pangos All-American Camp, Miller should flourish in Dana Altman’s pro style offense.
Ikenna Alozie 6’4” 2026 Dream City Christian (Glendale AZ)
Strong and explosive lead guard is a terrific defender and competitor. A Top 10 talent in 2026, Ikenna is a Nigerian native and big-time 2-way player that is primed to be recruited at the highest D1 level. Pangos All-West Fr/So Camp Top 30 Game co-MVP this past September scored 11 points in DC’s big win over BFL Prep.
Derrion Reid 6’6” 2024 Prolific Prep (Napa CA)
Very versatile and multi-positional athlete with an impressive skill set will be a key factor in Prolific Preps’ pursuit of a HS national championship this season. An offensive threat both in the half-court set as well as in transition. With a looming commitment date set for December 22nd, Reid will choose between his three finalists: Alabama, Georgia and Florida State.
Emmanuel Stephen 7’0” 2024 Dream City Christian (Glendale AZ)
Arizona-bound Big is very physical and active in paint and can finish with authority at the cup. Stephen had 13 points and several boards and blocks in Dream City’s convincing win over BFL.
Aiden Sherrell 6’11” 2024 Prolific Prep (Napa CA)
Alabama signee is long and quick in transition with a nice face-up game. 2023 Pangos All-America Camp Top 30 selection has a very high ceiling worth paying attention to.
Luke Bamgboye 6’10” 2024 AZ Compass Prep (Chandler AZ)
Excellent rim-protector and improved interior scorer is currently leading the Nike EYBL Scholastic League in blocks per game (2.0). Schools currently in the mix for this United Kingdom native are Penn State, Mississippi State, Providence and Oklahoma State
Zoom Diallo 6’4” 2024 Prolific Prep (Napa CA)
Athletic lead guard with legit deep perimeter range is also an excellent defender. Terrific slash and score playmaker tied Tyran Stokes for game-high scoring honors (15 points) in Prolific Prep’s tough win over AZ Compass Prep.
Larry Johnson 6’5” 2024 Southern Cal Academy (CA)
I know this Creighton signee can score the rock but what impressed me today in SCA’s win over Rosemary Anderson/OR was his defensive effort, pin-point passing and decision-making. Ultra-athlete and 2023 Pangos All-American Camp Top 30 Game pick can score in a variety of ways and has real long-term pro potential. Performed very well this past grassroots season in the Nike EYBL with Memphis-based Team Thad.
Khaman Maker 7’1” 2024 Trinity (Las Vegas NV)
St. John’s signee is a great get for new Red Storm coach Rick Pitino. Very long, agile and athletic center runs baseline to baseline like a guard and is a fantastic shot-blocker. Maker’s extreme upside will be maximized (if he is willing to work) by his future college coach Pitino.
Katrelle Harmon 6’5” 2026 BFL Prep (Seattle WA)
Rangy and talented young wing guard has terrific scoring skills. Harmon had an impressive 36 points (2 threes) in a loss to Dream City Christian/AZ. Katrelle’s huge offensive outburst here had NBA team scouts sitting courtside at Bishop Gorman HS paying close attention.
Makhan Diouf 6’11” 2024 Bella Vista (Arcadia AZ)
French native is an imposing shot-blocker and rebounder who is quick off his feet in the paint and in transition. Xavier is among the schools making a strong push for this Senegal native.
Zachiah Clark 6’3” 2024 DNA Prep (Chatsworth CA)
Strong WG gets down-hill in a hurry and can finish through contact at the rim. Contrary to some reports, this crafty scorer did not sign or commit to Middle Tenn State and is wide-open as far as his recruitment.
Jeremiah Fears 6’3” 2025 AZ Compass Prep (Chandler AZ)
Younger brother of Michigan State freshman PG Jeremy Fears is a quick and crafty scorer that Is a deceptive athlete (had an impressive follow-up tip-jam tonight against Prolific Prep). Shaping up to be a priority Big 10 target (Chicago-area native).
Christian Jones 6’4” 2024 Golden State Prep (Napa CA)
Bishop Montgomery/Torrance CA grad is a 5th year guy that is very explosive at the cup with MM+ upside. Very good scoring skills with physical ability to be a lock-down defender.
Nathan Ahner 6’5” 2024 LA Premier Prep (Downey CA)
Really liked what I saw from this Denmark native who is a big and strong guard with on-ball skills and acumen. Nathan has the requisite physique to score and defend on the wing.as well. Emerging West Coast prep school sleeper.
