Las Vegas, Nevada – Last weekend, October 13th – 15th, Bishop Gorman High School, and surrounding gyms, hosted the 2023 Border League in Las Vegas Tournament featuring some of the nation’s top high school teams, top nationally ranked prospects, and some elite preseason match-ups over the four-day event. The tournament pool play games began Friday the 13th and ran through Sunday the 15th. There were 8 boys’ divisions and 1 girl’s division, but I was there to focus on the top two boys’ divisions; the GEICO Top Flight Invite Showcase and the Balldawgs Super 16 Division. The GEICO Top Flight Invitational featured the following 8 teams: Florida Eagles/Montverde Academy, AZ Compass Prep, Prolific Prep (CA), LABC/Harvard Westlake (CA), Knights/Bishop O’Connell (VA), Florida Explorers/Columbus, LV Orange/Bishop Gorman (NV), and AirNado/Coronado (NV). The Super 16 Division featured the following teams: Hoop Nation/Corona Centennial (CA), Blue Knights/Notre Dame (CA), Dream City Christian (AZ), Southern California Academy, California Basketball Club/Sierra Canyon, Corner Canyon (UT), Storm Troopers/Owyhee (ID), The Hall/Campbell (CA), American Fork (UT), Millennium (AZ), Canyon International Academy (AZ), Toros Select/Arbor View (NV), Bella Vista Prep (AZ), Wasatch Academy (UT), Team Overtime Elite (GA), Braves/St. John Bosco (CA), Big Red/Mater Dei (CA), and Trinity-SFBA (NV)
All of the Top Flight games and a majority of the Super 16 games were played at Bishop Gorman High School and that is where I stayed for all three days of the event. I left Las Vegas Sunday afternoon around 2:30 p.m. and was not live in person to see the last two rounds of games (Consolation and Championship). Cooper Flagg and Montverde won the Top Flight Division for the 2nd consecutive year and will be a key contender for the GEICO National Championship. There were top nationally ranked players from every class in attendance, high-level basketball played in mid-October, elite match-ups, and a truly well-run event that lived up to all the hype and then some.
This article takes a look at 25 juniors and sophomores that performed well over the 3 days I was in attendance and is limited to players from the Top Flight and Super 16 Division. The players in this article are only those I saw play live. There were additional standout performances by other juniors and sophomores not in this write-up because I did not see them live, but are likely in a number of other post-event write-ups. Although the list of players below were my top 25 junior and sophomore standout performers they are listed in alphabetical order and not in a ranked order. The article below provides a brief recap of how they played at the event, a brief analysis of their skill sets, and the relevant player information. I begin with a look at the athletic and bouncy Ikenna Alozie.
2026 6’4 Ikenna Alozie (Dream City Christian/Glendale AZ)
Alozie is coming off a great showing at the Pangos All-West Frosh/Soph Camp in mid-September and continued that high level of play and display of athleticism that gave the spectators one of the most impressive in-game dunks of the event. Alozie has a strong handle on the ball, moves to create separation from his defender, gets great lift on his jumper, and has the court vision to find open teammates when on the attack. Great burst of speed off the bounce and good body control through contact on shots from the mid-range to the basket. Physical and athletic combo guard that plays solid on-ball defense and is effective with the 3-ball.
2025 6’9 Cameron Boozer (Columbus/Miami FL)
Boozer showed why he is one of the best high school players in the country regardless of class, and put up impressive numbers all weekend long leading Columbus to the Top Flight Title Game. Boozer made a statement in his team’s blowout win over Prolific Prep in the Top Flight Semifinals, as he would score a game-high 25 points to go along with 8 rebounds and 4 assists, and showed his ability to dominate the game in countless facets on both ends. Boozer has the court vision and quality decision-making to play the point-forward, controls the glass to initiate the transition offense, has the moves to create off the dribble, is accurate with the pull-up jumper, has range with the 3-ball, and makes good reads at the top of the key or from the low-block to cutting teammates. Boozer is able to defend the 2-5 positions with his size and agility, alters shots in the paint and on the perimeter, and is a protected top 5 pick for the 2026 draft.
2025 6’5 Cayden Boozer (Columbus/Miami FL)
Although Cam may get a majority of the headlines nationally, it is no secret the skill and talent Cayden brings to the court. Boozer plays with good pace and control with the ball in hand, shifty moves to evade his defender, good size to shoot over most perimeter defenders, and the court vision to find open teammates when on the attack. Boozer moves well off the ball to get to his shot spots, is a solid on-ball defender, and turns defense into offense. Boozer scored 15 points and dished out 5 assists in his team’s win over Prolific Prep and displayed his smooth shooting stroke from the mid-range to the 3-point line.
2025 6’3 Mikel Brown Jr. (Overtime Elite/Atlanta GA)
I first saw Brown as a rising sophomore at the 3SSB event in Seal Beach, CA two years ago playing up with 3SSB Austin Rivers SE Elite 17s and the elite lead guard skills were evident after a few minutes of watching his game. Brown showed why he is one of the top point guards in the nation, as he had his dynamic handles, shifty moves to generate separation, and the elite court vision to find guys in tight windows on full display setting the tempo for the talented OTE squad. Brown keeps the ball on a string, surveys the floor with quick and accurate decision-making to break defenses down, has nice touch on floaters and finishes around the basket, and is efficient with the 3-ball off the dribble. Brown makes good use of the hesitation to freeze his opponent, and keeps constant pressure on the opposing defense, as he can create his own shots or get open looks for teammates off the drive and kick-out pass. Good body control through traffic and scored 12 points in a win over American Fork, which was one of the best games of the event.
2026 6’5 Junior County (Utah Prep/Herriman UT)
The level of talent on display at this event is 2nd to none, and one of my personal favorites from the weekend was County, as he displayed his ability to effectively impact both ends of the court and score in volume from various spots on the floor. County led all scorers with 26 points, connecting on 3 threes, in his team’s win over Santa Margarita on day 2 and another name to keep an eye on in the loaded classes of 2026 nationally. County is active on the boards, has the handles to push the pace of play in the open court, has the length to defend interior players, as well as the lateral quickness and foot speed to stay in front of perimeter players, and has nice touch on finishes around the basket. County moves fluidly off the ball, is accurate beyond the arc off the catch and shoot, has the moves to create off the dribble, and gets good lift on his jumper. Good motor and impacts both ends of the court with a diverse skill set, and definitely a player to keep an eye on the next two and a half years.
2025 6’9 Joseph Dassilva (Colorado Prep/CO)
Dassilva showcased solid footwork in the post, nice touch on shots around the basket, the wingspan and timing to be a high-level shot blocker, and the ability to connect on shots from the mid-post. Dassilva controls the boards on both ends, provides second-chance points, runs the floor well in the open court, and runs to the rim off the pick and roll for lobs or entry passes close to the basket.
2025 6’8 AJ Dybantsa (Prolific Prep/Napa CA)
Dybantsa has been in the discussion of top overall player in the country regardless of class since entering the high school ranks and recently reclassified up to the 2025 class, taking over the #1 spot for said class. Despite an overall rough outing for Prolific Prep and Dybantsa in the semifinal loss to Columbus, he showed why he is the current front-runner for the top pick in the 2026 draft. Dybantsa opened up the event with a 27-point showing in a win over Hardvard-Westlake, and wrapped up the weekend with a strong showing in a win over AZ Compass Prep, averaging 17 points points and 5 rebounds per game for the weekend. Dybantsa makes good use of the wide crossover, uses his length to create separation and get by his initial defender, gets good lift along with his size to shoot over most perimeter defenders, and is a creative finisher when attacking the basket off the bounce. Dybantsa has good timing and instincts to alter/block shots in the interior, as well as the athleticism and agility to get out and alter perimeter shots, controls the boards, and looks to push the pace of play in transition. He has good court vision to find open teammates, and when his 3-ball starts falling his full offensive arsenal opens up. Dybantsa is a volume 3-level scorer, that is accurate with the 3-ball off the dribble or the catch and shoot.
2025 6’3 Tyson Forsey (Dixie/St. George UT)
Forsey was one of the better pure shooters in the event and was cooking from beyond the arc for Dixie, as he would score 15 points on 5 threes all in the 1st half against West Ranch. Forsey moves well off the ball, gets to the open space, has a quick release on his jumper, and is lights out from the 3-point line. Forsey showed the court vision to make plays when the defense overpursues on close-outs, and the handles to create off the dribble on said close-outs to attack the defense. True shooting guard that can run the offense when needed.
2025 6’3 Drew Hall (Basha/Chandler AZ)
Hall is a crafty and skilled lead guard that can operate at the point and set up the offense, as well as play off the ball and knock down open looks off the catch-and-shoot. Hall scored 10 points in Basha’s win over Colorado Prep on day 2, as he would hit on some tough mid-range jumpers through contact off the bounce. Hall keeps the ball on a string, makes nice use of the hesitation and change of pace to keep his defender off balance, attacks the open spaces on the floor, and has good body control on shots within fifteen feet of the cup. Hall has good court vision and, with his ability to break down a defense, finds the open man when on the attack. His fadeaway jumper is tough to defend, as Hall has the footwork to spin off opponents to get the space needed to get his shot off.
2026 6’6 Cameron Holmes (Millennium/Goodyear AZ)
I saw Holmes in middle school, as he was a key piece for the AZ Unity 14u squad that won the Made Hoops West Middle School Championship. Holmes continues to evolve as wing/forward and showcased his ability to impact various facts of the game on day 3 against Sierra Canyon, and why he is a top 25 national prospect for the 2026 class. Holmes controls the glass, has the handles to push the ball up the court, can space the floor with the 3-ball, uses his length to alter shots at the rim or on the perimeter, and uses the wide crossover to attack downhill off the wing.
2025 6’1 Nick Jefferson (Bishop Gorman/Las Vegas NV)
Jefferson is one of the remaining pieces from last year’s squad and is looking to take on a bigger role in the offense this upcoming season. Jefferson showed improved accuracy from the perimeter, especially on the 3-ball, as he would score 20 points on day 2 against Bishop O’Connell with 15 of those coming before intermission. Jefferson has a quick burst of speed off the dribble, gets good lift on the pull-up jumper, has good touch on the floater, and is a creative finisher around the basket over height. Jefferson is a solid on-ball defender, active hands to create turnovers and easy points in the open court, and will be relied upon to lead the young Gael roster this season.
2025 6’3 DeMarco Johnson (Southern California Academy/Castaic CA)
Johnson displayed his ability to play on or off the ball, as a true combo guard, and his impact on both ends of the court last weekend in Vegas. Johnson has shifty moves to shake his defender, gets great lift on his jumper, is a creative finisher over size in the paint with nice touch on the floater. Johnson can space the floor with the 3-ball, but is at his best when on the attack. Johnson does a solid job on the glass, is a high-level perimeter on-ball perimeter defender, and plays with a relentless motor. Will be a key glue guy for a talented SCA roster.
2025 6’8 Nikolas Khamenia (Harvard-Westlake/Studio City CA)
Khamenia was a key piece for last year’s California Open Division State Champs, but his role this season will be much more prominent as a main player the offense flows through. Khamenia had a strong 2nd half showing in the opening game against Prolific Prep, as he knocked down a few jumpers and scored around the cup. Khamenia has the handles and moves to create scoring opportunities off the dribble, the back-to-the-basket moves and footwork to generate separation to score in the paint, and is most effective when he is hunting the mid-range jumper. Khamenia is active on the boards, can push the ball or advance the ball up the court, runs the floor well in the open court, and makes good reads from the high post in the half-court setting. Khamenia alters shots in the post, has good instincts to deflect entry passes, and plays with good pace when on the attack, making him a tough assignment for opposing defenses.
2026 6’7 Bryaden Kyman (Santa Margarita/RSM CA)
Kyman continues to show his evolution as a point-forward, with the court vision, quality decision-making, and size to make accurate reads at the top of the offense. Kyman makes good use of the wide crossover, keeps his defender on his hop to spin-off and get open looks from the mid-post, and has good body control to connect on tough shots off-balance or through contact at the basket. Kyman controls the boards, pushes the ball off the glass, and gets the ball up the court or knocks down the transition 3-ball. Although the improvement in his game as a facilitator is evident, he was at his best for Santa Margarita when he was looking to create scoring opportunities for himself, with a versatile offensive arsenal. He scored all 15 of his points in the 2nd half in a tough loss to Utah Prep.
2025 6’2 JJ Mandaquit (Utah Prep/Herriman UT)
Mandaquit had his elite point guard play and shot-making ability on display on day 2 against Santa Margarita, as he would put up 19 points while hitting on 5 threes. Mandaquit has a strong and physical build to attack and finish through contact in the paint, has a smooth stroke from the perimeter with the moves to create scoring opportunities off the bounce, and elite court vision to find open guys when on the attack. Mandaquit makes good use of the hesitation, good burst of speed off the dribble, and nice lift on the stop-and-pop jumper with the body control to score after contact. High IQ player who does a solid job on the glass and pushes the tempo in transition. Defensively, Mandaquit uses his strong build to wall up opponents trying to attack, active hands to take the ball from opposing ball handlers, and one of the top lead guards in the 2025 class.
2025 6’2 Angelino Mark (Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks CA)
Notre Dame graduated two of its three-headed monster from last year’s team, which has opened up room for others to step up and fill those roles. Mark has been one of the main players from last year’s team to take on that challenge and did a solid job at the lead guard spot last weekend in Vegas. Mark does not waste dribbles, has the moves to create and get by his initial defender, the physicality to finish through contact in the lane, and gets to the free-throw line routinely. Mark has good court vision, keeps his head up to see the floor, and makes good decisions when on the attack. Effective with the pull-up jumper and tough perimeter defender that has strong hands to strip the ball from his opponent and get into the open court. He had 13 points in a day 2 loss to Corner Canyon.
2026 6’4 Brandon McCoy Jr. (St. John Bosco/Bellflower CA)
McCoy displayed his superb two-way skill set and elite defensive prowess, as he was locking up perimeter opponents, blocking shots, connecting on tough jumpers, and going at the rim with authority. McCoy was the overall most outstanding player of the recent Pangos All-West Frosh/Soph Camp, which was followed up by a strong showing at the USA event in Colorado leading into Border League. In Bosco’s opening game against the very talented Overtime Elite squad, McCoy was arguably the best overall prospect on the court. McCoy has tightened up his handles, added moves to create shots off the dribble, has improved his efficiency from the 3-point line, and his fadeaway mid-range jumper with his length is nearly impossible to defend. McCoy has good court vision, the size to see over the defense, and makes good decisions with the ball in hand, whether it’s connecting on passed to open teammates or creating his own scoring opportunities. Defensively, McCoy stays in his opponents’ dribbling space, uses his length to deflect passes or jump passing lanes, and is emerging as an elite perimeter shot blocker with the ability and timing to protect the rim in the paint, especially from the weak side. A top 3 talent in the 2026 class and in the conversation for top 10 regardless of class. I would have him #2 in his class behind Stokes.
2026 6’ Mason McGee (Basha/Chandler AZ)
McGee was one of the better lead guards at the Border League and displayed his ability to set others up or create for himself, as he would score a team-high 13 points in a great win over Colorado Prep. McGee keeps the ball on a string, surveys the floor as he weaves through the defense, finds teammates in tight windows, and has a smooth stop-and-pop mid-range jumper off the dribble. McGee is a solid on-ball defender, has the strong build to score through contact at the basket, and makes quality decisions with the ball in hand. Puts his teammates in a position to get open looks and keeps constant pressure on the defense.
2025 6’6 Efeosa Oliogu (Overtime Elite/Atlanta GA)
Oliogu showcased his ability to space the floor from beyond the arc, as well as hammer down some high-flying dunks, especially off the lob from Brown. Oliogu led OTE with 15 points in an escape win over American Fork, 66-63 on day 3 of the event, and showed his ability to score from various spots. Oliogu has a physical build with the skill to operate on the perimeter, the moves to connect on the 3-ball off the dribble or the stepback, the bounce and burst of speed to go at the rim once inside the key, and has great touch around the basket. Oliogu has great body control, contorts his body for creative finishes around the basket, and is a freight train in the open court with elite athleticism and bounce that had the attention of any and all cameras courtside.
2026 6’1 Isaiah “Slim” Rogers (Centennial/Corona CA)
One of the fastest-rising players in the 2026 class nationally has been Rogers, and he kept up that high level of play against some of the top talent and teams in the country. Rogers was one of the top scorers for the Huskies last weekend, behind Arizona commit Carter Bryant, and is just as effective scoring off the dribble and he is the catch-and-shoot. Rogers has dynamic handles, makes great use of the hesitation move and change of direction to keep his defender off balance, has a nice burst of speed off the dribble, and can stop on a dime to raise up from the perimeter, where he is very efficient with the jumper. Rogers slices through the defense, is fluid with the ball in hand, gets to his shot spots, and has the court vision to find open teammates when the defense collapses. Rogers has a smooth stroke from the perimeter and is at his best when he is working from the mid-range.
2025 6’4 Josiah Sanders (Colorado Prep/CO)
Sanders is a physical combo guard that does not waste dribbles and gets downhill with a purpose, with the ability to make plays for others or create his own offense. Sanders has a strong handle on the ball, makes good use of the crossover to get by his initial defender, uses his strength to score through contact down the lane, and is effective with the pull-up jumper off the dribble. Sanders does a good job on the boards, pushes the ball off the glass, and is a tough on ball defender with the versatility to defend the 1 through 4 positions. Sanders scored 17 points in a tough 2-point loss to Basha on day 2.
2026 6’8 Tyran Stokes (Prolific Prep/Napa CA)
Stokes was one of three #1 prospects in attendance last weekend at the Border League, #1 in the 2026 class, and considered one of the top 10 overall prospects in the nation regardless of class. Stokes, along with senior Derrion Reid, was one of the more consistent players for the new look and loaded Prolific Prep roster. Outside of Reid, Stokes was the only other bright spot for Prolific Prep in its loss to Columbus, as he would score 15 points and connect on 3 threes in the process. Stokes moves well off the ball to get open looks from the perimeter, is efficient with the 3-ball, has the moves to create off the dribble, and the size to shoot over most defenders. Stokes uses his physical and athletic frame to attack the teeth of the defense and score through contact in the paint. Stokes has good court vision, can find players when operating at the top of the key, or from the mid-post, runs the floor well in the open court, and is becoming one of the better shot blockers in the country with his ability to get off the floor quickly. He dominates the boards and can push the pace in transition. His game continues to evolve and I do not see anyone taking the top spot from Stokes as long as he stays locked in.
2026 6’7 Elijah Summers-Livingston (Basha/Chandler AZ)
Summers is a lengthy and active forward that has nice touch around the basket and, does a great job of securing rebounds and finding guards for the outlet. Summers had 10 points in his team’s win over Colorado Prep and close to 10 rebounds. Summers runs the floor well in the open court, fills lanes to make himself open for advanced passes upcourt, and showed he can connect on shots from around fifteen feet effectively. Solid young prospect that will keep rising the ranks as long as he works to expand his offensive skill set to add a perimeter game to be a true wing/forward.
2025 6’9 Bryson Tiller (Overtime Elite/Atlanta GA)
One of the most physically gifted prospects at the Border League was Tiller, as he is a superior athlete with a massive frame to go with a perimeter skill set, making him a tough assignment to defend. Tiller dominates the boards, is an elite rim protector, has enough handle to create off the dribble and attack downhill, looks to take flight down the lane on opposing interior defenders, has nice touch on his mid-range jumper, and is effective at spacing the floor with the 3-ball off the catch and shoot. Tiller has a professional build already and as his game expands offensively, he will be in the mix as a likely top 5-10 pick in 2026.
2025 5’11 Bryton Valdez (Corner Canyon/Draper UT)
Valdez had his sharp shooting on full display in the final game of day 2 on the main court at Bishop Gorman in a win over Notre Dame, as he would cash in 6 threes and score 22 points. Valdez keeps the ball on a string, has his head on a swivel to survey the floor, the court vision to make plays when on the attack, and gets the ball to his guys to catch and shoot in rhythm. Valdez has shifty moves to create space, a strong build to get through contact, and gets to the free-throw line routinely. Moves well off the ball to get open looks from the perimeter.
2026 6’4 Quincy Wadley (Bishop O’Connell/Arlington VA)
Wadley displayed his smooth shooting ability in O’Connell’s day 2 win over the host team, Bishop Gorman, as his perimeter play would compliment the interior presence of senior Bryson Tucker. Wadley moves well off the ball, gets to open spaces, has a high and quick release on catch and shoot perimeter shots, makes good use of the crossover to get to his shot spots, and is accurate from the mid-range to the 3-point line off the dribble. Wadley uses his length and instincts to alter/block shots on the weak side or on the perimeter, has active hands to create turnovers, and looks to push the tempo in the open court. Love the upside and long-term projection for Wadley.
2026 6’6 Zach White (Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks CA)
White was one of the more improved players from last year and will be a key piece for Notre Dame this upcoming season. White gets open for catch-and-shoot looks, controls the glass on both ends, is a versatile defender capable of guarding the 2 through 4 positions effectively, and is effective at spacing the floor with the 3-ball. White has the moves to attack off the bounce, draws fouls to get to the free throw line, and scored 13 points in his team’s loss to Corner Canyon. One of the better 2026s in California that will look to jump the ranks in the state and nationally.
2025 6’6 Kevan Wilkins (Bishop Gorman/Las Vegas NV)
Wilkins, like fellow junior Nick Jefferson, took advantage of a new role for the Gaels, as was on display in Vegas. Wilkins does a solid job on the glass, has nice touch around the basket, is effective with the mid-range jumper off the dribble, and can light it up from beyond the arc. Wilkins runs the floor well in the open court, is a solid and versatile defender, and will be a name to keep an eye on this season.
