Venom Rankings Run: Top Prospects
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The Venom Rankings Run took place March 10th at Mojave High School. The event featured players from the class of 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028 all looking for the opportunity to increase, or in the case of the 2028 class…
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Continue ReadingThe Venom Rankings Run took place March 10th at Mojave High School. The event featured players from the class of 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028 all looking for the opportunity to increase, or in the case of the 2028 class get on the rankings radar. The event featured several ranked players. Here’s a look at some of the top prospects at the event.
I want to address the controversy about the 2025 game. The judges voted Gouda Jackson MVP, however, I misunderstood. Regardless of the slight, Jackson was without a doubt one of the top players in the entire event. He blew by his initial defender, got to the rack and scored, and showed dynamic scoring ability with the ball in his hands. He’s elite on both sides of the basketball, with blazing speed and shot making ability.
Shaw was so good, he literally switched teams in the middle of the game. An underrated defender, Shaw score a ton of points off steals. In addition to turning offense into defense, he shot it well from behind the arc. The #3 player in the 2025 class put his natural scoring ability on display in the event. He currently holds offers from Southern Utah, Utah Tech, and UNLV.
Highlights
Stroughter played like a champion, leading his team to a thrilling victory in the 2026 game. He also served notice that he’s ready to be one of the top must watch players in the city, as the combo, spent most of the game, above the rim. He showed elite R&J ability en route to taking home game MVP honors.
Coleman was masterful in the game, using his handle to get to his spots. He knocked down several of his now patent mid range jumpers, and stretched out to the three point line when shooting in catch and shoot situations.
Highlights
Johnson oozes speed and athleticism, and it showed in his play. He blew past every defender, playing at 180 miles per hour, while relentlessly attacking the rim. He nearly took the roof off the building with a couple of ridiculous dunk attempts including one that nearly won the game. The two sport star served notice that he has a bright basketball future as well.
I was so happy to see Parker at the event, and he used it for exactly what it was for. Parker played mostly on the interior during the high school season, but flashed good ball skills in the event. He served as a grab and go guy, rebounding and leading the break, and he demonstrated good 1 v 1 skills on the perimeter. When push came to shove, he still dominated the interior, easily scoring with his back to the basket.
Although only an 8th grader, Mckinney is a prospect that you have to take notice of. He flew threw the air on several occasions, hammering home a bunch of dunks. His length, athleticism and size, combined with a burgeoning offensive skill set, make him a prospect on the rise.
Just because Harris was a fresh face, didn’t stop him from being one of the top prospects. His best skill was his poise, as he controlled the pace whenever the ball touched his hands. His power and ability to finish at the rim, served notice, and the 2028 guard was an efficient and accurate three point shooter.
Whenever I watch McMorran play, I think of how much former Villanova coach Jay Wright would have loved, him. He encouraged his players to “Shoot em up and sleep in the streets” no one embodies that play more than the lefty sniper, he made mid range jumpers, walked into straight on pull up threes, and buried logo range bombs. His ability to be dynamic in the shooting game makes him one of the top young prospects at the game.