Border League: X-Factor F/C

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LAS VEGAS — The Border League has established itself as the premier fall high school/prep school basketball event on the west coast and the 2024 edition was no different. The event features many of the top high school and prep school prospects from around the country in a high level hoops showcase. We were in attendance at Coronado and Desert Pines high schools over the weekend and below are prospects who might not be talked about but play key roles for their teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1223824' first='Alejandro' last='Aviles'] | Dream City Christian (AZ)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aviles is a highly skilled four/five man whose versatile offensive game allows Dream City to play a variety of offensive styles. The 6-foot-9 University of San Diego-commit is proficient in ball screen action whether in rolling and finish or picking and popping to space the floor with a perimeter shot. Aviles is also a high IQ passer out of low and high post touches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Christian Benjamin | Roosevelt</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roosevelt has a high level trio of guards in Burries, Williamson and Walker but have been looking for an inside presence on both ends of the floor and Benjamin could be that answer. The transfer from Grand Terrace high school is a pogo stick athlete with length and a high motor that shows up when he runs the floor and finishes transition opportunities at the basket. Benjamin also pursues offensive rebounds out of his area and competes on the defensive glass, as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Eric Dibami Tomou | Columbus (FL)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Boozer twins take up most of the notoriety for Columbus - for good reason - but Tomou's impact should be highlighted with how impactful he is as a rim protector and interior finisher. The 6-foot-9 center is a physical interior defender who battles opposing bigs on the defensive boards. Offensively, Tomou can screen, roll and post where he powers his way through defenders for baskets in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Jackson Kiss | Utah Prep</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kiss is a "dirty work" type of player who does a lot of the little things that don't show up in the box score. The 6-foot-7 New Zealand-native made his offensive impact as a rim-runner and finisher in transition where he used his strong frame and pop of vertical athleticism to elevate and finish physically around the rim. Kiss also showed some versatility on the defensive end as his frame allowed for him to be a physical presence inside and his mobility showed up as a hedge and recover defender in ball screens.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Liam Koelsch | Bishop O'Connell (VA)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Koelsch's ability to stretch the floor is a key ingredient to O'Connell's offensive scheme. The 6-foot-8 forward was consistent in his ability to knock down the three-point shot in off-catch and pick-and-pop situations. Koelsch also flashed the ball skills to straight-line drive to his right hand and score around the rim. Perhaps the most impressive part of the senior's game was his passing vision in high and low post touches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1422770' first='Nicholas' last='Randall'] | AZ Compass&nbsp;</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Randall has some throwback big man feel to his game as the majority of his offensive impact comes within the lane lines. The 6-foot-8 forward/center is an active offensive rebounder with soft hands on his put-back attempts and understands how to space the floor when his guards drive - whether it's peeling out to the dunker spot on middle drives or circling under or teeing up on baseline drives. Randall looks to finish everything with power around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->