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. All games are being live-streamed by BallerTV.com: https://www.ballertv.com/events/tarkanian-classic-national-prep-2024-las-vegas-nv
The HS Divisions will run December 18-21. 60+ college coaches passed through on the event’s first two days and the 3rd day saw the arrival of additional coaches from Kansas, San Diego State, Rutgers, Nevada, Cal, UNLV and Cornell.
This is Part 2 of a 2 part recap of top players in the Prep School Division. Part I of this report can be accessed here: https://nbnmagazine.com/2024-tarkanian-classicprep-school-division-part-1/
The Final Day of Prep School Division play (December 17th) consisted of several marquee showcase games as well as the championship games of the Prep School brackets.
Prep School Brackets title game results:
Gold Bracket: DNA Prep/CA 73 Eduprize/AZ 62
Premier Bracket: Specially Fit/FL 80 Terror Prep/CAN 77
Bronze Bracket: Jordan Christian/FL 67 PHH Prep Ellsworth/AZ 45
Select Bracket: Dream City Regional/AZ 60 Central Canada Prep 54
Post-Grad Bracket: Golden State Prep Grey/CA 56 Southern Coast Academy/FL 30
Part II Top Standouts
Meleek Thomas 6’5” 2025 OTE City Reapers (Atlanta GA)
After a very sub-par game on Monday, the Real Meleek Thomas showed up on Tuesday and turned in the signature performance of the day! Thomas was sensational in OTE City Reaper’s convincing 81-63 win over a very good Colorado Prep team (that led most of its game versus Prolific Prep on Monday before succumbing in OT to the Darryn Peterson-led squad) pouring in 32 points (12/18 FG: 4/6 3FG) including 22 in the first half alone as well as dishing out 4 assists. Meleek really knows how to score easily via a nifty mid-range floater, is a threat to connect from beyond the 3-point arc, is a terrific lob passer and an exceptional rebounder for his size. But it’s Arkansas signee’s seasoned vet basketball IQ, vocal leadership and alpha male personality on the floor that makes him a strong candidate as the best lead guard in national senior class.
Chris Cenac 6-10 2025 Link Academy (Branson MO)
Houston signee is of the top Bigs in the nation and very improved over a year ago. MVP of the 2024 NBPA Top 100 Camp was dominant inside vs. ABC Prep National/NM here – scoring 20 points on 9/11 FG. Cenac has soft hands that allows him to catch and finish inside with regularity and his ability to stretch defenses with his 3-point shot adds a whole other dimension to his game. Top 10 2025 prospect picked Kelvin Sampson’s Cougars over offers from the likes of Kentucky, Auburn, LSU and Arkansas.
Jerry Easter 6-4 2025 Link Academy (Branson MO)
Ohio native is one of the top combo-guards in the national senior class. Crafty ballhandler packs plenty of scoring punch and plays with the savvy of a long-time vet. USC signee will provide Coach Eric Musselman with the high-octane playmaker the Trojans need when he enrolls next Fall. Although most major recruiting outlets have ranked in the 30-40 range, his recent body of work indicates much greater value and potential than that.
Akai Fleming 6-4 2025 OTE Cold Hearts (Atlanta GA)
Georgia Tech signee is a skilled swingman with a polished perimeter jump shot. Fleming registered 19 points (3/4 3FG) vs. SoCal Academy/CA. I really like Fleming’s poise and consistent production on the floor.
Amari Evans 6-5 2025 OTE City Reapers (Atlanta GA)
Chiseled swingman is a Tennessee signee with the strength to finish at the basket and has range on his jump shot. Will fit in well with the Vol’s style of play. Scored 18 points (3 threes) and had 6 assists vs. Hillcrest Prep/AZ.
Franck Beliebe 6’4” 2026 Colorado Prep (CA)
Muscular WG with very nice pull-up jump shot had 18 points (7/14 FG; 2/4 3FG) vs. OTE City Reapers/GA.
Calib Ourigou 6-10 2027 Lawrence Woodmere (NY)
Well-built but still raw post player is brimming with nice long-term upside. Physical rebounder and rim-protector grabbed 9 boards in a big win over Hillcrest Prep/AZ.
Kai Rogers 6-10 2025 OTE Cold Hearts (Atlanta GA)
Oklahoma signee is a big and strong post man that is a rugged rebounder (7 boards vs. SoCal Academy) and can score through contact on the block (10 points; 5/8 FG).
Spencer Ahrens 6-8 2025 Bella Vista CIA (Phoenix AZ)
Skilled forward can extend defenses with his soft touch on jump shot. Ahrens had 21 points (3 threes) in a win over OTE Cold Hearts (GA).
Micah Tucker 6-3 2025 OTE City Reapers (Atlanta GA)
Georgia State-bound combo-guard had 10 points/3 assists in win over Colorado Prep/CO.
Seven Spurlock 6-5 2026 Prolific Prep (Napa CA)
Athletic swingman from Texas can get downhill in a hurry and likes to explode on his baseline drives to cup.
Davion Hannah 6-5 2025 Link Academy (Branson MO)
Very athletic swingman is an Alabama signee who is a very under appreciated rebounder (9 boards vs. ABC Prep National/NM.
Mazi Mosley 6-5 2025 Prolific Prep (Napa CA)
Athletic and wiry WG has just transferred into Prolific recently from Montverde Academy/FL and is still getting acclimated to his new team. LSU signee is quick in transition and can create to score off the bounce. As he continues to add strength, he will continue to get better.
Trent MacLean 6-9 2025 SoCal Academy (CA)
Son of former UCLA great and NBA forward Don MacLean is a stretch forward with range on jump shot. West Virginia signee was 3/6 from the 3-point arc versus OTE Cold Hearts (GA).
Alexandros Alexakis 6’5” 2025 SoCal Academy (CA)
Athens, Greece native with deep 3-point stroke is also crafty around the cup. Scored 12 points (2 threes) versus OTE Cold Hearts (GA).
Jordan Charles 5-11 2026 Bella Vista CIA (Phoenix AZ)
Canadian playmaker can score off the slash dribble and is a good rebounder for his size (7 boards vs. Iowa United.
AJ Thomas 6’4” 2025 Eduprize (Gilbert AZ)
Assertive scoring combo-guard is a Loyola Marymount signee.
Anderson Diaz 6’2” 2027 Lawrence Woodmere Academy (NY)
Very promising young lead guard was impressive in Lawrence Woodmere’s two blow-out wins here versus Skyline Prep/AZ and Hillcrest Prep/AZ.
Adam Oumiddoch 6-5 2026 OTE Cold Hearts (Atlanta GA)
Top 50 national 2026 prospect with offers from the likes of Iowa, Illinois and Kansas State had 20 points (8/14 FG) vs. Bella Vista CIA (AZ).
Travis Perry 6-4 2026 Link Academy (Branson MO)
DFW native doesn’t get much run yet on a loaded Link squad but I know of enough of his talent and skill level to know he has a HM future.
Samuel Mbgingazo 6-10 2026 Iowa United (IA)
Very physical and improved PF with improved scoring skills. Played first two HS seasons at Alemany/Mission Hills CA.
Troy Fason 6’0” 2027 Lawrence Woodmere (NY)
Sturdy PG with ability to create for teammates as well as pull up from deep. Scored 13 points (3 threes) in 70-38 win over Hillcrest Prep/AZ.
Keonte Greybear 6-1 2026 Link Academy (Branson MO)
Athletic PG with a burst of speed off bounce. 12 points (5/6 FG; 2/3 3FG) in win over ABC Prep National/NM.
Shelton Henton 6’5” 2025 PHH Prep BBC (Phoenix AZ)
Sharpshooting wing had a very efficient 21 points (6/11 FG;5/6 3FG) in win over Colorado Prep.
Bilal Osman 6’8” 2025 Elite Futures Prep (WA)
Long forward with nice agility baseline to baseline has nice scoring instincts. Osman had 22 points vs. SFBA Trinity Prep/NV.
Frank Oguche 6-7 2025 1 of 1 Academy (NC)
Forward with range on jump shot connected for 25 points (8/11 FG; 5/7 3FG) vs. SoCal Academy (CA).
Jacob Ross 6’6” 2025 SoCal Academy (CA)
Minnesota signee is rangy wing that is a solid 2-way player.
LJ Rush 5-11 2026 1 of 1 Academy (NC)
Tough PG showed a complete game – 18 points (9/15 FG), 8 rebounds and 6 assists – in win over Bella Vista CIA (AZ).
