The 12th annual Jerry Tarkanian Classic is being held December 15-21, 2024 @ Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas NV) and surrounding area gyms. 135+ high school boys squads (spread over 9 divisions) and 70+ prep programs (National Division) are participating this year. The Prep schools were on display Sunday-Tuesday December 15-17. The HS Divisions will run December 18-21.
Recaps of top players in the Prep School Division have been previously published here.
Prep School Recap Part I: https://nbnmagazine.com/2024-tarkanian-classicprep-school-division-part-1/
Prep School Recap Part II: https://nbnmagazine.com/2024-tarkanian-classicprep-school-division-part-2/
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), Van Coleman (McDonald’s All-American Game voter), Dinos Trigonis (Fullcourt Press & Nothing But Net), Eric Bossi and Brandon Jenkins (247Sports.com), Jamie Shaw (On3), Gregg Rosenberg (Prep Hoops), Greg Stein (Made Hoops), Krysteen Peek (NBA TV), Chad Groth (Area Codes Scouting), Matt McKay and Tyler Glazier (Pro Insight), Ani Umana (Field of 68), Bruce Williams (7Outz), Neal Carter (Ball Dawgs), Etop Udo-Ema (Dunk News and McDonald’s All-American Game voter) and Nate Buss (Nate Buss Hoop Talk).
75+ college coaches have attended so far including Kansas, Oregon, Arizona, Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, Marquette, Stanford, Colorado, Louisville, USC, Washington, San Diego State, Rutgers, BYU, Nebraska, Utah, Minnesota, Cal, VCU, Nevada, Colorado State, UNLV, St. Louis, San Jose State, Bradley, Hawaii, Pepperdine, McNeese State, Davidson, Southern Utah, Pacific, Stephen F. Austin, UC-Riverside, Montana, Seattle, Northern Arizona, UC-San Diego, Cal State Bakersfield, Eastern Washington, Cornell and Howard,
NBA Teams that came through so far include Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, OKC Thunder, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets, Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets and Charlotte Hornets.
Below, we highlight several HS players that stood out on Day 1 of HS Division:
Tyran Stokes 6’7” 2026 Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks CA)
Strong as an ox forward with elite scoring skills, athletic skills and alpha male persona is a tour de force every time he steps on the floor. Just recently returned to the court after sustaining an injury, Tyran is about 90% back conditioning-wise but was very impactful in Notre Dame’s 1st round 80-63 win over Basha (Gilbert AZ) – scoring 23 points (8/14 FG) and grabbing 11 boards. Ranked #1 by the 247Sports composite as well as ESPN.com, Stokes has every major power program in pursuit including Louisville (where he is originally from).
Brayden Burries 6-5 2025 Roosevelt (Eastvale CA)
Burries is a smooth as silk combo-guard with the whole package. Plays with great pace and poise. Brayden dominated in his opening round game in 79-36 win over St. Augustine (San Diego CA): 33 points (13/19 FG; 7/8 3FG), 9 rebounds and 5 assists. UCLA, Oregon, Washington, Kansas, Alabama, USC, Louisville, Tennessee and many others in serious pursuit of his services for 25-26 season. Ranked #12 in nation in 2025 by both the 247Sports composite and On3.
Tahj Ariza 6-8 2026 Westchester (Los Angeles CA)
Son of former long-time NBA vet Trevor Ariza is developing into a real NBA prospect in his own right. Standing a legit 6-8+ (and still growing), Tajh’s skill set and versatility continues to develop and his confidence in his ability is growing as well. Ariza was fantastic in a 1st round game versus tourney Bishop Gorman/Las Vegas NV – registering 31 points,11 rebounds and 2 assists. UCLA, USC, Arizona, Kansas, Washington, Kentucky, Arkansas, USC and many others are lining up to secure his future services. Currently ranked #6 in nation in 2026 by the 247Sports composite and #7 by On3.
Dean Rueckert 6-7 2026 Timpview (Provo UT)
Athletic and assertive swingman with a nose for the rock is a real scoring threat: 28 points (10/18 FG; 5 threes) 9 rebounds in win over St. Joseph’s (Philadelphia PA). Emerging as one of the top juniors in the West. Coming in at the #44 slot in 2026 at the moment by 247Sports.
Tyrin Jones 6-8 2025 Layton Christian (UT)
Athletic slashing scorer is always in attack-mode. UNLV signee erupted for 32 points (11/18 FG) and was a monster on the glass (14 rebounds) in a 79-74 3OT 1st round win over Centennial (Corona CA).
Isaiah Johnson 6-2 2025 Campbell Hall (Studio City CA)
Quick lefty playmaker bound for Colorado poured in 28 points and handed out 4 assists in a 1st round loss to Coronado/Henderson NV.
Isaac Williamson 6-2 2025 Roosevelt (Eastvale CA)
One of the West’s top long-range sharp-shooters, Isaac can score in big bunches when hot. Isaac was on fire in 2nd round win today over very good Riviera Prep/Miami FL squad: 25 points (9/15 FG; 5/11 3FG). New Mexico-bound combo-guard compliments highly regarded teammate Brayden Burries nicely.
Nick Jefferson 6-1 2025 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas NV)
Quick jitter-bug scoring PG is a legit threat from deep – 3/4 3FG en route to 20 points in Gorman’s 72-60 win over Westchester/Los Angeles CA.
Mason Abittan 6’6 2025 Coronado (Henderson NV)
Very athletic swingman also has a very nice shooting stroke that extends to the 3-point line. UNLV signee is one of the most underrated seniors in the West. Impressive in Coronado’s 85-63 win over Campbell Hall: 23 points (9/13 FG;2/4 3FG) plus 8 assists.
Myles Fuentes 6-1 2027 Riviera Prep (Miami FL)
Confident and steady PG knows how to run a team as well as shoot that rock. Myles had 18 points (2/3 3FG) and 3 assists in a 1st Round win over St. Pius/St. Matthias (Downey CA). Very good student had Stanford among the schools checking him out here.
Isaiah “Slim” Rogers 6-4 2026 Centennial (Corona CA)
After an untypical scoreless 1st half, Slim caught fire in the second – rallying his Huskies and forcing OT with a dagger 3-pointer to force OT before his Huskies fell in 3 OTS to a very good Layton Christian/UT squad. Rogers finished with 21 points (tying teammate CJ Richardson for the team-high). Top 100 caliber 2026 prospect.
Lino Mark 6-2 2025 Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks CA)
Rutgers-bound lead guard is athletic in transition and can finish at rim through contact. Instrumental in Notre Dame’s 2st round win over Basha by recording 19 points (6/9 FG; 3/3 3FG) and 6 assists.
SJ Madison 6-5 2026 Redondo Union (Redondo Beach CA)
Sleek swingman is a Top 100 national prospect that keeps getting better and better. Madison has really improved his perimeter stroke and his 22 points (8/12 FG) and 8 boards helped spark Redondo past Rainier Beach/Seattle WA 88-74.
Jaron McKie 6-2 2025 St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia PA)
Dayton signee had 14 points (3 threes) and 8 rebounds in a loss to a hot-shooting Timpview/UT squad. Son of former Temple star and NBA guard Aaron McKie.
Gustavo Guimaraes Alves 7-0 2025 Riviera Prep (Miami FL)
Big and strong Brazilian post man has nice moves and footwork on the block. Scored 17 points (8/11 FG) and had 9 rebounds in win over St. Pius/St. Matthias/CA.
Malachi Knight 6-4 2025 Leuzinger (Lawndale CA)
Senior sleeper WG continues to improve at a rapid rate. Among the leading scorers through 1st two games here (28 ppg) including a 32 point outburst in a 1st round 93-73 win over Centennial (Peoria AZ). Very good shooter with sneaky athleticism is the son of former Portland guard Eric Knight and nephew of the late Billy Knight (UCLA). Both dadr and uncle were standouts at Westchester (Los Angeles CA) in their HS days.
EJ Vernon 6-6 2025 Crossroads (Santa Monica CA)
Strong and muscular forward scored 31 points in Crossroad’s 1st round win over St. Brendan (Miami FL) on Wednesday.
With so many quality players at this year’s Tarkanian Classic, we will add several more additional players in Part II and III of this Tark Classic HS Division report.
