Las Vegas live periods – out-of-area standouts

With literally hundreds of basketball teams converging on the Mecca of summer basketball, Las Vegas lived up to the hype.

My colleagues Frank Burlison and Joel Francisco were flanked across the region, capturing as much of the action as humanly possible, from Dinos Trigonis’ Las Vegas Fab 48 (perhaps the strongest field in the even’t history), Bigfoot Hoops’ Las Vegas Classic, the West Coast Elite UA Finals and Rising Stars Invitational and the Rebound Hoops Las Vegas Finals.

For my part, I’ll be breaking down the showing of the large San Diego contingent in a series of reports, starting with the 2019 standouts, with the 2020, 2021 and 2022 classes to follow. Additionally, this report will discuss the top players from outside of Prep Hoops So-Cal's coverage area that I saw over the five-day period. 

Las Vegas live periods - out-of-area standouts

2019 

Michael Green III, NY Gauchos 17u - Wiry 5-11 combo guard with blinding quickness off the dribble, scores it from all three levels, great on-ball defender. 

Isaiah Hawthorne, Team Arsenal 17u - Long, lanky 6-7 forward is a jack-of-all trades with nice ball skills. 

Nicholas Johnson, NY Gauchos 17u - Big 6-4 lefty lead guard touches paint at will, makes plays in pick-and-roll and drive-and-kick and can finish through contact. Streaky shooter from three, but solid from midrange. 

Zyon Pullin, Team Arsenal 17u Elite - Athletic 6-2 combo guard has impressive physical metrics and can shoot it from midrange and three, lacks consistency. 

Jaden Nielsen-Skinner, Hoop Salem 17u - Super crafty point guard is a slick passer and ball handler, scores and distributes with equal aplomb. 

Isaiah Hill, Compton Magic 17u Elite - Rapidly becoming one of the best "true" point guards on the West Coast, solid court vision and feel in the pick-and-roll, and drive-and-kick, shoots it with confidence from three and with the pull up. 

2020 

Kiimani Holt, Powerhouse Hoops 16 UAA - Smooth shooting 6-4 wing can fill it up in a hurry from all three levels. 

Evan Nelson, Powerhouse Hoops 16 UAA - 6-2 combo guard has flawless shooting mechanics, potent athleticism and length. 

Brandon Vorwaller, All-Utah Basketball 16u - 6-1 sharpshooter is deadly when his feet are set. 

Dallas Graziani, Broward County Cougars 17u - One of the surprises of the weekend, the 5-7 scoring point guard is a crafty playmaker and prolific shooter with deep range. 

Donovan Yap, Las Vegas Prospects 16u - Slithery 6-3 combo guard has impressive length, budding ball skills and can score it off the bounce and off the catch. 

2021

Dionte "DJ" Hughes Jr., Indiana Elite 15u - Extremely athletic 6-7 forward with impressive athleticism and first step, high-level rebounder on both ends. 

Curt Hopf, Indiana Elite 15u - Skilled, methodical 6-8 face-up four who can stretch the floor and score on the block. 

Dallas Turner, Nightrydas Elite 15u - Explosive 6-4 lefty scoring wing who gets into the paint, finishes above the rim. Streaky shooter from deep. 

Daimion Collins, Dallas Mustangs 15u - Wiry, 6-7 forward has impressive length, budding ball skills and can finish above the rim. Real potential as a rim protector. 

Gregg Glenn, Nightrydas Elite 15u - Athletic 6-8 and skilled forward can handle the point duties, scores from three levels. 

Cole Anderson, Dream Vision 15u - Well built 6-3 combo guard has great size and a compact, quick release on his jumper. Solid ball skills and court vision. 

AJ Kula, Colorado Miners 15u Elite - 6-3 sharpshooter has impressive mechanics and good feel with the ball. 

Hunter Phillips, All-Utah Basketball 16u - 6-7 post scores it with either hand and has impressive footwork. 

Cheick Kouyate, Knights Elite (Col) 15u - Long, 5-11 combo guard is an ambidextrous passer and can score it from multiple levels. 

Taeshaud Jackson, Knights Elite (Col) 15u - Athletic 6-4 "point forward' has a beastly frame and solid ball skills and court vision. Motor runs hot and cold. 

Donjae Lindsey, Lakeshow Elite 15u - Athletic 6-1 combo guard has smooth acceleration off the dribble and can finish or create for his teammates. 

Tyler Isaak, Lakeshow Elite 15u - 6-1 shooting guard has excellent form and a quick release, showed flashes of a solid mid-range pull-up game. 

2022

Aidan Mahaney, WCE NorCal 15u - Long, lanky 6-2 lefty point guard with tremendous court vision and feel, excellent shooter off the catch and off the bounce. 

Elijah McDaniel, Arizona Firestorm 15u - Lefty combo guard is a strong slasher with solid ball skills.