Labor Day Crown: First Impressions

The Labor Day Crown takes place Friday, Sept 2nd – thru Monday, Sept 5th. The event, hosted by Prep Hoops Circuit Premiere program, Chosen Few, will take place at the Las Vegas Basketball Center located at 7350 Prairie Falcon Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89128. The tournament format featured teams ranging from 8U to 17U. The event provided the perfect opportunity to watch several familiar players as well as learn about some new prospects. Here's a look at my first impressions of some new prospects at the event.   [player_tooltip player_id='1571075' first='Olyad' last='Mikias'] 5'8 PG Chosen Few 2025 - Liked the pace the PG played with. I wasn't a big fan when he over dribbled, however he was able to defeat his defender off the bounce enough times to make it worth it. May not see varsity minutes in a crowded SV backcourt, however has the speed quickness and PG skills to be one of the better JV players in the city this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1571006' first='Devin' last='Thomas'] 6'2 SG North Las Vegas Venom 2026 - The young player has some physical tools that caught my eye. Size and length will always get you in the door and Thomas has that. He showed some skill as well, including the ability to get to the bucket off the bounce. Saw him just in time to add to the updated 2026 rankings.   [player_tooltip player_id='1571050' first='Ziven' last='Smith'] 6'0 SG Chosen Few 2025 - Smith is a really crafty scorer that managed to get several mid range buckets in the game I watched. I was really impressed with his 1 v 1 game as he used a nice two dribble game to create just enough space to get his shot off.   [player_tooltip player_id='1572426' first='Jordan' last='Lewis'] 5'10 CG North Las Vegas Venom 2025 - Only got a short look at Lewis, but he did enough to make an impression on me. Shooting is always at a premium, and the 5'10 combo showed that he's capable of doing that. Looks like another weapon headed to the 4A state champs.   Tremell Darden Jr 6'0 CG TF Elite 2025 - I've technically seen Darden play before, however this was the first time I was able to sit and get a really good look at him. I was impressed with his shiftiness and scoring ability. Darden had the ability to wiggle his way past defenders, before finishing around the rim. Good player, that should make an impact on a deep, Arbor View squad this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1572800' first='Louis' last='Mandar'] 6'5 SF Leverage 2024 - Mandar is headed to Sierra Vista, adding yet more size to already the biggest team in 4A. he's built like an NFL linebacker, but has the agility to play on the perimeter. His size and strength jumped out at me; however I'm really intrigued to see how he is used in the Vista system.   Mason Kendrick 5'11 SG Blueprint 2026 - The Blueprint made the trip from Phoenix, which gave me an opportunity to check out Kendrick. The young sharpshooter displayed the ability to knockdown shots, spraying threes from all over the court in the game I watched.   [player_tooltip player_id='1574517' first='Jaylin' last='Ideran'] 5'10 CG Blueprint 2026 - Deran and Kendrick formed a solid 1-2 combination for the Arizona squad. His impact wasn't just shown through buckets, as his ability to facilitate and create for teammates helped his squad win both games I watched on Saturday. The combo has good quickness and was able to get downhill virtually at will.   [player_tooltip player_id='1572588' first='Montez' last='Simmons'] 6'3 PF North Las Vegas Venom 2025 - The Mojave faction had been urging me to check Simmons out, I did, and he was worth the time. Opposing forward with a solid frame, and good athleticism, Simmons looks like the prototypical Rattler.   Cordae Feazell 5'11 CG Team EAST 2025 - Here's a tip, don't come up to me constantly telling me to come watch you play. Tip number two. If you do and I show up, you better ball out. Feazell didn't adhere to tip number 1, but he definitely stayed true to tip number 2. The combo was one of the better players I saw attacking the rim. He has good quickness and used a variety of 1-2 steps around the rim to avoid defenders and finish around the backet.   [player_tooltip player_id='1572425' first='Elijah' last='Engfer'] 6'2 SF HBA 2024 - This kid has a chance to be one of the top sleepers in the state. The 15 year old junior is an explosive leaper that gets off the ground well with his first jump. He also showed solid skill, knocking down a bunch of mid-range shots during the course of the week.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FBBIWhfvJg </div></figure>

The Labor Day Crown takes place Friday, Sept 2nd – thru Monday, Sept 5th. The event, hosted by Prep Hoops Circuit Premiere program, Chosen Few, will take place at the Las Vegas Basketball Center located at 7350 Prairie Falcon Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89128. The tournament format featured teams ranging from 8U to 17U. The event provided the perfect opportunity to watch several familiar players as well as learn about some new prospects. Here's a look at my first impressions of some new prospects at the event.