Standout Performers: The Fantastic 40 (Day 1)

<p>The inaugural Las Vegas born tournament The Fantastic 40 kicked off on Thursday at the Tarkanian Basketball Academy.</p> <p>Here is a look at the top performances that I saw.</p> <h3><strong>Nick Blake (IMG PG/Las Vegas Knicks)</strong></h3> <p>Right from the jump, 2020 6'6" IMG PG guard <strong>Nick Blake</strong> took full command of his Las Vegas Knicks squad and never looked back. The UNLV commit and former Las Vegas Durango standout is a confident outside shooter, who pushes the ball up the floor with ease. He rarely comes off the floor and can absolutely fly as a dunker. He had 25 points in a win over E1T1 United.</p> <p>Note: 2021 6'5" Athens Prep guard <strong>Isaac Spears </strong>was really good as well for the Las Vegas Knicks with 14 points, attacking, distributing and running the floor.</p> <h3><strong>Ziaire Williams (Sierra Canyon/BTI Hoops)</strong></h3> <p>Duke represents the most recent offer for 2020 6'7" Sierra Canyon forward <strong>Ziaire Williams. </strong>He certainly didn't disappoint in a loss to Team Parsons. Williams certainly passes the eye test with his length and pure endless upside. He attracts a lot of attention defensively and that opens up better shots for his teammates. Williams had 20 points in the game including a dunk that he had right on a defender (<a href="https://twitter.com/JakePerper/status/1157146205266165760?s=20">VIDEO</a>).</p> <h3><strong>Jordan Sears (Mainland/Team Parsons)</strong></h3> <p>When you talk about being tough and scrappy, those are always two words that describe 2020 5'11" Mainland guard <strong>Jordan Sears.</strong> The downhill point guard is both fast and strong and he carried his Team Parsons group back to victory after a slow overall start with a team-best 26 points. Sears was determined to get the win, drawing contact often and frequent trips to the free throw line in the second half. He is also a crafty defender who will get in your face and dive for loose balls.</p> <h3><strong>Jadan Coleman (Bob Jones/Nike Elite Stars)</strong></h3> <p>Shooting is a major skill that will get you a spot at the next level and 2020 6'4" Alabama Bob Jones guard <strong>Jadan Coleman</strong> knows a thing or two about that. He dropped 26 points in a late night win over Team Parsons 2021 including the game-winning 3-pointer with 3.5 seconds left. Coleman hit seven 3's and really energized his side all game long.</p> <h3><strong>Darius Johnson (Episcopal/Team Parsons)</strong></h3> <p> Going to the rack often and looking to score, 2021 6'0" Virginia Episcopal guard <strong>Darius Johnson </strong>always impresses me when I watch him play. He recorded 30 points in the loss to the Nike Elite Stars and was by far the best player on his side for the night. Johnson has a knack for the crafty finish and frustrates defenses with his elusiveness but he also has an improved outside jumper.</p> <h3><strong>Kario Oquendo (Team Parsons)</strong></h3> <p>Alongside Sears, 2020 6'5" guard <strong>Kario Oquendo </strong>led the comeback for Team Parsons. He woke up in the second half with 15 total points to finish with 20 for the game. He is a boomer as a dunker and I'm shocked that he hasn't taken down a rim at some point in his career. His push in transition is hard to stop and I don't blame defenders who don't want to get in his way. He is a strong and dangerous athlete.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">2020 guard Kario Oquendo (<a href="https://twitter.com/kario_oquendo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kario_oquendo</a>) seems to always dunk on people wherever he hoops.<br /> <br /> ???? by: <a href="https://twitter.com/Ballislife?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Ballislife</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hoops_florida?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@hoops_florida</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CP25CoachJemel?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CP25CoachJemel</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/thefantastic40?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thefantastic40</a> <a href="https://t.co/ECc6RJxt8G">pic.twitter.com/ECc6RJxt8G</a></p> — ᴊᴀᴋᴇ ᴘᴇʀᴘᴇʀ (@JakePerper) <a href="https://twitter.com/JakePerper/status/1157334137121808384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2019</a></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>