Tarkanian Classic

Las Vegas, NV - Dec 18-22, 2018 - Bishop Gorman High School was the site of The 7th Annual Tarkanian Classic. The event hosted over 100 High School and Prep Teams spanning across 7 different divisions. I touched down in Vegas a little after 11 am, which gave me just enough time to go to my hotel and try to finesse my way into an early check-in. Which I was able to do by the way 😉. After checking in I was off to the gym at Bishop Gorman High School.

Upon arriving at the gym I was one of many Scouting/Media outlets covering the event, along with a plethora Division I College Coaches. It's safe to say that I had just walked into Basketball Heaven for the next 3 days.

Listed below are some of the players that stood out to me over the course of the event.

Daishen Nix 6'5 PG 2020 Trinity International Prep (Las Vegas, NV): In my opinion, he was the best guard in the tournament. He has great size, likes to push in transition, is sneaky athletic and can guard multiple positions.

Jonathan Kuminga 6'8 SF 2021 Our Savior New American School (Centereach, NY): Jonathan is a fully grown man that had one of the prettiest jump shots I have seen. He likes the handle out atop the key and find teammates or attack the rim.

Devan Cambridge 6'6 SG 2019 Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix, AZ): Before I start, I know Kyree Walker is on this team and "He's a Real One" but Devan is a bouncy wing that tried to put a hurting on the rim at every turn. He also likes to guard and could be a lock-down defender at the college level.

Michael Foster Jr. 6'9 SF 2021 Washington Information Tech (Milwaukee, WI): Michael has a very fluid game, he can mix it up on the interior but also has good touch from the perimeter as well. He can create for himself off the dribble and finish through traffic.

DJ Steward 6'4 SG 2020 Whitney Young (Chicago, IL): DJ played his butt off the entire event. He never stops moving, he is a guard with a high motor and plays with a physicality that superseded his size. But what I like most about him is he can Flat Out Shoot the Ball. "Full Clip"

Makur Maker 6'11 G/F/C Orange Lutheran (Orange, CA): Makur was by far the most intriguing player at the Tark Classic. He is every bit of 6'11 who is his teams' primary ball handler and defensive anchor. He needs a little work on the interior but how the game is transitioning, I think he'll be just fine with his ability to dribble, pass, shoot, rebound and block shots.

Isaiah Mobley 6'10 SF/PF Rancho Christian (Temecula, CA): Isaiah is a High IQ player with a killer instinct to score. He is much more athletic than he looks, has a great feel, rebounds at a high clip and has solid shooting form.

Evan Mobley 7'0 PF/C Rancho Christian (Temecula, CA): Evan is a High IQ player that possesses all the skill necessary to be a Lottery Pick in the next two year. He can dribble, pass, shoot, rebound, and defend! He runs the floor exceptionally well and seemed to get his hands on every loose ball to end possessions on defense and maintain them on offense.

In closing, Dinos, Leslie and the rest of the staff at the Tarkanian Classic put on a great event and I truly appreciate the hospitality they showed me. There was by far more Division I talent on hand in Las Vegas than I have ever seen in one location and I look forward to following them over the coming years. Until next time......