WIBCA June D1 Recruiting Showcase – Top 2027 and 2028 Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The annual WIBCA June D1 Recruiting Event took place on the last weekend of July up in the Bellevue/Sammamich/Issaquah area and we had an opportunity to drop by all three gyms on Sunday to take in some of the action. Watching alongside a whole host of college coaches, including many from the D-I ranks, here are some of the top rising sophomores and freshmen we saw on the day:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2026061' first='Junior' last='Vialva'] (2027 Tualatin) </strong>- Already the master of the mid-range pull-up, Vialva got a handful of those off in Tualatin's win over Westview but was also outstanding getting out into the open floor and making plays, whether he was finishing at the rim or dishing it off to a teammate for a score. He certainy caught the attention of Portland State in attendance, who has since given him his first D-I scholarship offer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2124995' first='Carter' last='Lemon'] (2027 Tualatin)</strong> - Lemon has settled into a role alongside [player_tooltip player_id='1582973' first='Jemai' last='Lake'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2132800' first='Pat' last='Vialva Jr'] in the Tualatin backcourt spotting up on the wing. In a win over Westview, he calmly knocked down open jumpers with ease but was also able to handle the ball when needed and also put ball pressure on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2026058' first='Elijah' last='Thompson'] (2027 Southridge) </strong>- 2024-25 should be a year of emergence from Thompson, who has elevated into the starting lineup this summer after being the team's sixth man last year. It wasn't a great shooting day for the rising sophomore in a loss to Willow Canyon, but they weren't bad shots as his decision making and maturity with the basketball belie his youth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2026514' first='Nikko' last='Kalish'] (2027 Southridge)</strong> - Where Kalish made his impact on the game we watched was with the intangibles - mainly effort and a no fear attitude. Despite being undersized at just around 6-feet tall, he was a force amongst the trees with his rebounding, pulling down 14 boards for the Skyhawks in a loss against Willow Canyon, with four of them offensive. 8 points on efficient 3-for-4 shooting and zero turnovers too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2457187' first='Michael' last='Ratliff'] (2028 Wilsonville) </strong>- Despite only being an incoming freshman, Ratliff has been playing major minutes for Wilsonville and considering Wildcats legendary coach Chris Roche doesn't often put first-year players on varsity, that's saying a ton. The 6-foot-7 post already has a solid frame and the shoulders to add more bulk and muscle and he already knows the basics of how to score inside, rebound, and play tough. We're putting together our Class of 2028 watchlist and you can be assured Ratliff will be on there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->