This years Border League produced numerous top level players who are next level ready. Just looking forward to seeing these players go at it when the high school season begins. It was a special weekend as well when Trent Perry committed to USC, Liam McNeely choosing Indiana, Pharoah Compton going to San Diego State, and Jase Richardson follow his father’s footsteps going to Michigan State. We saw not only saw the best players out in Las Vegas but the best teams nationwide which includes Montverde, Prolific Prep, and Overtime Elite.
The Florida Eagles (Montverde HS) who won the Top Flight Division dominating Prolific Prep and Columbus High School. Cooper Flagg dominates both ends of the floor and is a great finisher. Also, I love his unselfish play and get his teammates involved. Flagg averaged 19 points 8.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists in the three games they played. Asa Newell continues to expand his offensive game. He was tough inside the paint, attack the boards, and scoring in transition. He recorded three double-doubles, in which he averaged 13 points per game and recorded 11 rebounds per game.
Indiana commit Liam McNeeley A great shooter and can score at multiple levels. He averaged 17 points per game in the three outings. I am impressed with his speed, quickness and a lot of natural strength. Their big man Derik Queen can break down defenders. His aided by his length and shooting touch which extends to the three-point line. His high release is challenging for defenders to block or contest. Underrated interior presence and passing instincts. He’s not explosive but finds ways to get the ball to the rim with his body, length, and constant movement under the rim.
Columbus High School (Explorers) fell short in the title game. However I like their outlook for the upcoming season. Jase Richardson who transfer from Bishop Gorman played outstanding performance in the three outings. He averaged 17.3 points per game and grabbed 8 rebounds in all the three games. Richardson was making plays and being assertive on both ends of the court.
The Boozer twins have great size and passing ability. They continue to put up great numbers in which Cayden averages 15.7 points per game and 7.7 assists per game. Cameron led the team in scoring and rebounds in their three games. He averaged 23.7 points per game and 13.3 rebounds per game; in addition he was second in assists right behind his brother. Cameron is a next level ready player with a skill-set to score the ball in a variety of ways. He can shoot from the three and can create plays in the paint easily. He is comfortable with the ball in his hands in when he is spacing his opponent and can finish the play easily by making the basket.
Prolific Prep is stack with talent including their sixth man. This season AJ Dybansta who join forces with Tyran Stokes. Also add Aiden Sherrell who committed to Alabama last month, Derrion Reid, and Mikey Lewis a four star prospect. Prolific has Tyran Stokes who is the top prospect for the Class of 2026 and AJ Dybansta who recently recommitted is now the number one player in the Class of 2025. Even so they finished third in the Top Flight division they will be one of the dominating programs in the country when all said and done.
AJ Dybansta show why he was the best player he can get in the paint easily and score. In the opening game against LABC (Harvard Westlake HS, CA) he tallied 27 points, with 11-15 from the field and 6 rebounds. He averaged 16 points per game, along with 6.3 rebounds in the three games played. Tyran Stokes has a wide body for a wing and he is very quick on the court. He’s tough to stop once he gets a head of steam and is a great finisher around the basket. He is easy to get above the rim due to his size. He moves well on defensive end on defense and guards well for a player his size. In the Border League he averaged 14 points per game.
Harvard Westlake who was the LABC team played in The Top Flight Division. USC commit Trent Perry averaged 20.3 points, grabbed 4.7 rebounds per game, and dish out 6.3 assists per game the the event. The 6-foot-4 combo guard can shoot, pass, and defend the ball. Also he is very versatile and plays physical defense, can drive, and make clutch shots. Robert Hinton the Harvard commit, averaged 17 points per game and he was that player who will take quality shots, find the open man and he guards. A great decision maker on the court and a guy who provides leadership for his team. Nikolas Khamenia is a talented shooter in which he averaged 16.3 points per game with a 42 percent from the field. Also, he is great on the free throw line at 92 percent. He is getting better on the defensive end as well.
Overtime Elite Karter Knox has continue to rise his stock. He plays at a high-level and proficient with his jump shot. Continues to be a great scorer and his upside on the defensive end get better. John Bol became a factor on both ends of the court. His inside presence looks so easy with dunks and knocking down jump shots as well. On the other end he was blocking shots and grabbing rebounds. He became an impact in all ways.
Mercy Miller from Notre Dame Prep (Blue Knights) continues to prove as one of the best scorers in the country. The Houston commit averaged 32 points per game in the event. He drives to to the basket really well and is very quick running up the floor with the ball.
LJ Johnson from So Cal Academy was a top gun player at the Border league he an explosive player to the basket. The Creighton commit can score on multiple levels. He is very physical with a good frame and uses his size and athleticism to the best of his ability. Nass Cunningham was a problem as well he been consistent in scoring from the outside as well as the inside. He has been proficient on the defensive end.
Brandon McCoy from St John Bosco held his own out there. A two way competitor who is athletic and smooth with a game that posses perimeter size and skill. He was a scoring threat and also make plays for others.
Emmanuel Stephen from Dream City Christian stood out on both ends on the court. The Arizona commit had it his way in the paint by scoring and grabbing rebounds as well as block shots. He was a rim-runner and a lob threat.
It was another outstanding event at The Border League. The Top Flight and Super 16 Divisions were outstanding with talent and depth. Also we saw the growth of the tournament as it will continue to produce top notch players and teams in the near future.
