2016 Jerry Tarkanian Classic: Day 2
by Dinos Trigonis
(December 16, 2016)

The 5^th annual Jerry Tarkanian Classic is being held December 15-20, 2016 @ Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas NV) and surrounding area gyms.  80 high school boys squads (spread over 5 divisions) and 27 prep programs (National Division) are participating this year.

A large contingent of national/regional media and scouts have shown up so far including Frank Burlison (BurlisonOnBasketball.com/McDonald’s All-American Game voter), Van Coleman (The Basketball Channel/McDonald’s All-American Game voter), Ronnie Flores (BallisLife.com & GrassrootsHoops.net), Jerry Meyer (247Sports.com), Evan Daniels & Josh Gershon  (Scouthoops.com), Eric Bossi & Krysten Peek (RivalsHoops.com), Dinos Trigonis (Fullcourt Press & Nothing But Net), Mike Schmitz (DraftExpress.com), Corey Evans (HoopSeen.com), Christian Popoola (PremierBall.com), Etop Udo-Ema (Fullcourt Press & Dunk News), Matt Rodriguez & Arek Kissoyan (BallisLife.com), Chad Groth (Area Codes Basketball), George Nguyen (In the

Lab Lifestyle), Eric & Johnny Hines (Courtside Films), Marcel Chappell (Ballervisions), Sandeep Hingorani (Baller.tv), Nick Milosevich (Top100Talent.com) and Nick Koza (SportsAmp.com).

Colleges that have passed through so far include UCLA, USC, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, Cal, Arkansas, TCU, UNLV, Gonzaga, San Diego State, New Mexico, Long Beach State, Wyoming, Hawaii, Loyola Marymount, La Salle, Cal State Fullerton, Northern Colorado, Pepperdine, Grand Canyon, Princeton, Pacific, San Diego, Weber State, Denver, Southern Utah, Columbia and Southern Idaho.

Below, we highlight several players that stood out on Day 2:

Cassius Stanley                 6’5”     2019   Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood CA)
Ultra-athletic lead guard took over in the 2nd half versus Prestonwood Christian/Plano TX) tonite – soaring through air for electrifying dunks and nailing clutch long-range 3’s.  Stanley finished with 25 points in HW’s 69-60 win and had a herd of college coaches and media types following his every move.

Brandon McCoy                 6’11”  2017   Cathedral Catholic (San Diego CA)
Blossoming into a potentially dominating force in the force, McCoy had 15 points (7/12 FG) vs. Crossroads.  Dale Davis-type rebounder and interior defender.  Still just scratching the surface.

Jemarl Baker                       6’4”     2017   Roosevelt (Eastvale CA)
Cal-bound sharp-shooting guard had 24 points in win over Valor Christian/CO.

LiAngelo Ball                       6’5”     2017   Chino Hills (Chino Hills CA)
High-scoring wing forward has deep range from beyond the 3-point arc and is a certified bucket-maker.  Scored 40 points (with 5 threes) in a 1^st round Platinum Division win over Clark/Las Vegas NV).

Charles O’Bannon             6’6”     2017   Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas NV)
Athletic wing can put points on the board.  Is one of the best remaining unsigned seniors in the nation.

Elijah Hardy                         6’2”     2018   Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland CA)
Rapidly improving point guard has yo-yo handle and excellent court vision to go along with a legit pull-up jump shot.

Shareef O’Neal                    6’9”     2018   Crossroads (Santa Monica CA)
Very improved post-forward has a nice “face-up” game for size.  Son of NBA great Shaquille O’Neil had 15 points in win over Cathedral Catholic/San Diego CA.

Raymond Hawkins            6’9”     2019   Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland CA)
Talented young forward with impressive “catch-and-flush” ability had 18 points in a win over Putnam City West/OK.

David Nickelberry              6’7”     2017   Windermere Prep (Windermere FL)
Memphis signee is a versatile perimeter player with point forward skills.

LaMelo Ball                          6’2”     2019   Chino Hills (Chino Hills CA)
Ultra-confident scorer is what CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein calls a legit “flame-thrower”.  Melo had 26 points (6 threes) in win over Clark/Las Vegas NV.

Spencer Freedman            6’1”     2018   Mater Dei (Santa Ana CA)
Followed up an excellent Thursday performance with 26 points (6 threes) and 8 assists in a win over Desert Pines/Las Vegas NV.

Trey Woodbury                   6’3”     2018   Clark (Las Vegas NV)
Tough, hardnosed WG that can make shots both from the perimeter and finishing through contact at the rim.  Was terrific in near-upset of nationally ranked Chino Hills – scoring 25 points

Jamel Bey                            6’6”     2018   Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas NV)
Smooth wing-type has a very nice perimeter stroke.

Brandon Carlson                6’11”  2017   Bingham (Bingham UT)
Utah signee is a thin but agile center prospect with plenty of offensive skills.

Harrison Butler                   6’5”     2018   Mater Dei (Santa Ana CA)
Athletic wing forward can slash and finish.

Luis Rodriguez                   6’5”     2017   Westchester (Los Angeles CA)
One of SoCal’s top unsigned seniors is an athletic slashing scorer with great upside.

Justin Webster                   6’2”     2019   Prestonwood Christian (Plano TX)
Young combo-guard with excellent shooting range.  Webster poured in 31 points vs. Harvard-Westlake/CA.

Antwon Jackson                6’5”     2019   Clark (Las Vegas NV)
Undersized PF has great hands and can finish through contact on the block.  Underrated perimeter shooter too.

Harold Marquis Moore      6’6”     2017   Westchester (Los Angeles CA)
Wing with size has accurate shooting touch.

Ian Alexander                      6’6”     2019   Clark (Las Vegas NV)
Promising wing forward with nice length and a potent outside jump shot.

Shelby Sampleton             6’1”     2019   Putnam City West (Oklahoma City OK)
Big time shooter had 6 second-half 3’s vs. Bishop O’Dowd.

Johnny Juzang                   6’6”     2020   Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood CA)
Multi-dimensional frosh wing player had 15 points vs. Prestonwood Christian/TX.