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. This NBA certified event tipped off with a 3 day prep school division (December 15-17) and will continue with the HS divisions running December 18-21.
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), John Stovall (ESPN), Jamie Shaw (On3), Gregg Rosenberg and Greg Stein (Prep Hoops), Chad Groth (Area Codes Scouting), Matt McKay and Tyler Glazier (Pro Insight), Bruce Williams (7Outz), Etop Udo-Ema (McDonald’s All-American Game voter), Grant Rice (McDonald’s All-American Game voter), Neal Carter (Ball Dawgs) and Nate Buss (Nate Buss Hoop Talk).
Colleges that have passed through on the event’s first two days included Oregon, Arkansas, Marquette, Stanford, Colorado, Louisville, Washington, BYU, Nebraska, Minnesota, VCU, Colorado State, St. Louis, San Jose State, Bradley, Hawaii, Pepperdine, McNeese State, Davidson, Southern Utah, Pacific, Stephen F. Austin, UC-Riverside, Northern Arizona, Cal State Bakersfield, Eastern Washington and Howard,
NBA Teams that have came through so far include Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets, Sacramento Kings and Charlotte Hornets.
Below, we highlight several players that stood out on Days 1 and 2:
Darryn Peterson 6-5 2025 Prolific Prep (Napa CA)
After somewhat a slow star (from Darryn Peterson standards) in the 1st half (10 points; 4/9 FG), the Kansas signee turned it up in the 2nd half to counter an impressive effort from Colorado Prep who appeared on the verge of pulling off a huge upset. Darryn sparked a late 2nd half rally (which included a monster highlight slam) and his 2 FTs with just a few seconds left in regulation forced OT. Peterson asserted himself in the extra period and his efforts allowed Prolific Prep to escape with the win. Peterson finished with 26 points (9/23 FG:2/6 3FG) to go along with 8 assists and 6 rebounds. Well-built lead guard with high-octane scoring ability was the object of attention of many of the NBA team scouts watching and pro agent-types scattered throughout the gym.
Josiah Sanders 6’4” 2025 Colorado Prep (CO)
Colorado signee turned in the most impressive individual performance of the first two days of the event: 38 points (23 points at the half) in near upset of Prolific Prep. Sanders wasn’t just getting buckets, he was proficient at doing so: (12/21 FG; 5/9 3FG). Add 10 rebounds and 5 assists and you have a monster stat line in front of several NBA team scouts and college coaches as well as numerous media and video-outlets. Sanders is a strong lefty guard with a polished perimeter stroke that extends to the 3-point line and his sturdy frame allows him to slice by defenders and finish at the hoop. Very underrated passer was also very good on Day 1 vs PHH Prep/AZ: 27 points (9/13 FG: 2/4 3FG). Colorado head coach Tad Boyle and his staff are astute evaluators of players suited for their system and have a keen eye for underrated talent. Sanders appears to be another great example of that.
Meleek Thomas 6’5” 2025 OTE City Reapers (Atlanta GA)
Despite a very slow start (was scoreless in 1st half), Meleek got it going in 2nd half (10 points/3 threes) in OTE City Reaper’s tough loss to a hot-shooting Hillcrest/AZ squad. Thomas is (IMO) one of the top 2 guards in 2025 class (along with Darryn Peterson) and his quickness, floor vision, pin-point passing, ability to rebound at a high clip and clutch shot-making capability make him a great get for John Calipari and Arkansas. 2024 Pangos All-American Camp MVP and Pittsburgh native is also a very vocal leader who had an outstanding 2024 grassroots season (was the best guard in the Nike EYBL) and his New Heights Lightning squad were the only team to knock off Nike Peach Jam champ Nightrydas and the Boozer brothers.
Winters Grady 6-7 2025 Prolific Prep (Napa CA)
While most eyes in the gym were focused on his Kansas-bound and 2026 NBA Draft target teammate Darryn Peterson, it was Grady that stepped up to keep PP within distance to mount a late 2nd half rally to eventually catch and then knock off in OT Colorado Prep. The Michigan signee’s game-high 8 threes were like long-range daggers and he finished with a team-high 32 points. 2024 Pangos All-American invitee will be a factor in Big 10 in Ann Arbor for Dusty May next year.
Niko Bundalo 6-10 2025 Prolific Prep (Napa CA)
Washington-bound post man is an active Big that always is in motion and loves to follow-up teammates’ misses at the rim with authoritative slams. Rugged and physical rebounder had a more than solid stat line in Prolific Prep’s come from behind win over upstart Colorado Prep: 18 points/10 boards.
Mouhamed Sylla 6-11 2025 Bella Vista CIA (Phoenix AZ)
Very long and physically mature center is a force on the boards and can score on the block. Senegal native has excellent potential to be a formidable rim-protector at the next level. Sylla had an efficient 15 points (6/8 FG) in his team’s win over OTE Cold Hearts (GA) on Monday. Oregon, Washington and Arizona State (all three have offered) are among those in pursuit.
Dylan Mingo 6’5” 2026 Long Island Lutheran (NY)
Talented lead guard with good length didn’t have his best game offensively here but his defensive instincts and activity on the boards kept his Luhi squad (playing without injured Syracuse signee Kiyan Anthony) close before ultimately falling to Sunrise Christian (KS) 44-43. Ranked #11 in his class by the 247Sports composite national rankings.
Tyler Jackson 6’2” 2025 SoCal Academy (CA)
Quick and shifty lead guard with the quickness and savvy required to create his own shot and has impressive overall scoring skills (including range to 3-point line). Baltimore MD native is one of the nation’s top unsigned guards with offers from Maryland, Auburn, Alabama, Syracuse and Cal.
Chidi Nwigwe 6’7” 2026 Sunrise Christian (Bel Aire KS)
Sleek swingman with nice scoring ability had a game-high 14 points in a 44-43 win over Long Island Lutheran (NY). New York area native is ranked #32 in junior class by the 247Sports composite national rankings. Chidi was also very impressive at last June’s Pangos All-American Camp.
Kelvin Odih 6-5 2025 SoCal Academy (CA)
West Virginia signee is a well-built WG that is assertive on both ends of the floor and is a confident scorer and underrated 3-point shooter as his 17 points (7/10 FG; 3/4 3FG) versus 1 of 1 Academy (NC) demonstrates. New England native (played for Rhode Island Elite in AAU) is a Pangos All-American Camp and Pangos Premier 80 alum.
Obinna Ekezie 7-0 2026 Prolific Prep (Napa CA)
Oozing with tremendous long-term potential, Obinna is another high-level foreign Big out of the PP pipeline. What’s there not to like? Great size and length, mobility and energy baseline to baseline make him a no-brainer HM target. Ekezie’s terrific upside has not gone unnoticed as Kansas, Kentucky, Arizona State and Houston are among the growing number of schools offering.
Nigel James 6’1” 2025 Long Island Lutheran (NY)
Marquette signee is a high scoring lead guard that plays with a lot of confidence and is very elusive off the bounce.
Quentin Rhymes 6’5” 2025 Hillcrest (Phoenix AZ)
Nebraska signee was impressive in big win over OTE City Reapers (GA)L 18 points (3 threes) and a few nice flushes at the rim. Smooth stroke and bouncy lift at bucket makes him a Big 10 sleeper for the Cornhuskers.
Godson Okokoh 6’9” 2027 SoCal Academy (CA)
Canadian native is a HM PF with the quickness and agility to get out in transition and the explosion to finish with authority at rim. 2024 Pangos All-West Frosh/Soph Camp MVP has an early UCLA offer.
Ty Virgil 6’5” 2025 Hillcrest (Phoenix AZ)
Pepperdine signee is a very improved WG that was impressive in Hillcrest’s big W over OTE City Reapers:
19 points (8/14 FG; 3 threes) and 5 boards. Lefty has refined his step-back jump shot that extends to the 3-point line and his muscular frame allows him to get into the paint and score with regularity. Great get for Ed Schilling’s Waves and his up and coming recruiter Josh Calbert.
Trevon Carter-Givens 6’10” 2026 SoCal Academy (CA)
Very underrated junior from California’s Central Coast region (Templeton CA) is still somewhat raw but is very long and improving at a rapid rate. Trevon is developing as impact rim-protector and dependable rebounder. TCG’s work here included a Double-Double (10 points/13 boards) vs. V3 Prep National (Canada) and 11 rebounds against 1 of 1 Academy (NC).
Christian Gilliland 6’2” 2025 ABC Prep National (Albuquerque NM)
Dynamic downhill driver is a confident scorer that can get buckets. CG had a game-high 27 points (9/12 FG: 2/2 3FG) in ABC’s OT win over Skyline Prep (AZ) on Sunday. Pangos Premier 80 alum is also a very good rebounder for his size (had 8 boards vs Skyline).
Chudier Dorar 7’0” 2026 PHH Prep Hood (Phoeniz AZ)
Tremendous shot-blocker is an emerging name out West that picked up offers from Hawaii and Southern Utah on Sunday here.
Adam Tyson 6’8” 2026 Skyline Prep (Phoenix AZ)
Big and long wing with smooth skill set and plenty of upside. Tyson had 20 points (3 threes) and 7 boards vs. ABC Prep National (NM) on Sunday.
Asher Elson 6’10” 2025 OTE Cold Hearts (Atlanta GA)
Liked what I saw from this long and athletic PF here. Ran floor well and finished well and with authority in transition. Brooklyn NY native’s offers include St. John’s, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Creighton and Fordham.
Kayden Mingo 6’4” 2026 Long Island Lutheran (NY)
Penn State signee is a crafty combo-guard that’s a very good defender. Kayden had 12 points vs. Sunrise Christian (KS).
Gavin Placide 6’11” 2026 Sunrise Christian (Bel Aire KS)
My first real look at Placide was a good one. Gavin did not post big numbers in a very low scoring game vs. Long Island Lutheran (NY) but his size, agility and activity makes him a Big worth paying attention to long-term.
Josh Powell 6’5” 2026 Skyline Prep (Phoenix AZ)
Strong as an ox WG with strength to finish through traffic. Arizona State, Illinois and Creighton are among those to offer this NYC native.
Brandon Mason Jr. 6’5” 2027 ABC Prep National (Albuquerque NM)
Very promising young guard with a very smooth offensive game and plenty of smart basketball instincts. Father (Brandon Sr.) coaches him at ABC and was a former college assistant at New Mexico and New Mexico State. 2024 Pangos Premier 80 and Pangos Sweet 16 standout has real high-major potential.
Gervonte Ware 6-9 2025 1 of 1 Academy (NC)
Rutgers signee is a big and strong PF that’s physical on the glass.
Patrick Chukwutem-Anamali 6’8” 2026 Edge National (Canada)
Strong PF runs floor well and can finish with authority at rim.
Abdallah Dia 6’10” 2026 Colorado Prep (CO)
Athletic and agile Big with impressive length and upside. One to track.
Julius Woods 6’6” 2026 V3 Prep National (Canada)
Sleek and athletic WF can finish with nice bounce at the hoop and is active baseline to baseline. Scored 14 points (7/12 FG) vs. SoCal Academy on opening day.
With so many quality players at this year’s Tarkanian Classic, we will add several more additional players in Part II of this report.
