Border League: Skilled Forwards

<p>LAS VEGAS — The Border League has quickly become a must-stop event for high school, prep school, scouts and media alike. The field is always loaded with Division I talent and draws a good mix of nationally recognized programs and more local teams for exposure to college coaches and NBA scouts. This year's field was stacked as usual and we bounced between Coronado and Silverado high schools to take in the action. Below we break down the skilled forwards we watched.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Adonis Ratliff | 2026 | Archbishop Stepinac (NY)</h4>   <p>Has all of the physical and skill tools of an NBA-caliber stretch four/five man. Elite vertical, linear and lateral athlete who is also fleet of foot when changing ends of the floor and smoothly side-stepping contact on his straight-line drives. Has the ball handling ability to push the break or attack slower defenders in isolation in half-court offense. Consistent shooting threat off the catch out to the three-point line.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1708701' first='Alex' last='Smith'] | 2026 | Prolific Prep (FL)</h4>   <p>Skilled stretch four who is a consistent three-point shooter off the catch and a versatile all-around offensive player. Smith has fluid and fundamental shooting mechanics and knocks down threes in a variety of situations: when trailing in transition, out of pick and pop action and as a spot-up option. Smith is capable of triggering offense as a dribble hand-off and ball reversal to side ball screen player. Has the ball skills and basketball IQ to attack close-outs to his right hand and find an open teammate.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1660063' first='Caleb' last='Gaskins'] | 2026 | Columbus (FL)</h4>   <p>Four-man with a combination of physicality and skill that allow him to be an effective inside-out offensive threat. Scores in a variety of ways around the basket: through contact, over rim protectors, finesse with his right hand and when spacing to the dunker spot and finishing dump off passes above the rim. Gaskins is also a capable face-up player who can rip and drive to his right hand, bump defenders with his strong frame, and score with touch in the painted area. He flashed some perimeter touch out to the three-point line.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2131780' first='Christian' last='Collins'] | 2026 | St. John Bosco (CA)</h4>   <p>One of the elite basketball athletes in the country with a body type and frame that translates to the high major level. Most effective as a transition slasher and finisher. Has the ball skills to rebound the defensive glass, push the break and attack the rim in straight-line drive situations. Possesses a high ceiling of defensive potential due to his combination of length and lateral and vertical explosiveness. Can contain guards on the perimeter and contest shots but is also a rim protecting threat.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Coleman Elkins | 2026 | Blair Academy (NJ)</h4>   <p>Skilled and versatile big who, due to his offensive skill-set and mobility, could play the four and five spots at the next level. Consistent three-point shooter off the catch, has the ball skills to shot-fake and attack a closeout with a right hand drive and finish and has good feel as a back to the basket scorer and passer. His offensive repertoire will be even more potent at the college level with the spacing and action coaches can run with him.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2522723' first='King' last='Sanders'] | 2026 | City Reapers OTE (GA)</h4>   <p>Skilled stretch four whose best offensive weapon is his off-catch three-point shooting. Shows consistent touch from the corners and confidence stepping into rhythm jumpers. Mobility and sound footwork make him effective in pick-and-pop situations where he can space the floor. Possesses good timing and instincts as a rim protector with the vertical athleticism to contest and block shots. Plays with energy and can defend in space when engaged.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Marcus Spears | 2027 | Dynamic Prep (TX)</h4>   <p>Versatile inside-out scorer with a polished offensive skill set and the athletic tools to impact both ends of the floor. Comfortable facing up and attacking defenders off the bounce, particularly when driving to his left hand. Shows touch as a mid-range shooter and continues to extend his range beyond the three-point line. Uses his quick-twitch athleticism and fluid movement to create matchup problems for slower front-court defenders. Possesses rim-protection instincts with strong timing, vertical pop, and body control when contesting shots. Runs the floor well and can finish above the rim in transition or as a trail option. Has the physical frame and mobility to play both the 4 and small-ball 5 at the high-major level.</p>

LAS VEGAS — The Border League has quickly become a must-stop event for high school, prep school, scouts and media alike. The field is always loaded with Division I talent and draws a good mix of nationally recognized programs and more local teams for exposure to college coaches and NBA scouts. This year's field was stacked as usual and we bounced between Coronado and Silverado high schools to take in the action. Below we break down the skilled forwards we watched.