Border League: Traditional Big Men

<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. In an era where most forwards and centers want to be categorized as "stretch" players, the guys below embraced their size inside.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Abdramane Siby | 2006 (DOB) | KK Mega Basket (INTL)</h4>   <p>Elite defensive center with a 6-foot-11 frame, 7-foot-4 wingspan, and quick-twitch vertical athleticism. Plays with a high motor and competitiveness that make him a dominant rim protector at the high-major level. Impacts the game on both ends with energy and effort, consistently altering shots and controlling the paint. Offensive game is raw from a skill perspective but effective as a rim-runner, finisher, and offensive rebounder. Shows touch around the rim and ability to convert in traffic.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Arafan Diane | 2026 | Iowa United (IA)</h4>   <p>Traditional center with a rare blend of size, strength, soft hands, and advanced post footwork. Possesses the ability to score with either finesse or pure physical dominance, depending on the matchup. Shows impressive touch around the basket and a quick pop of vertical athleticism that stands out given his 280-plus pound frame. Commands deep position and finishes efficiently through contact with balance and control. High IQ passer out of the post who is patient, draws double teams and finds open shooters. Demonstrates the ball skills and mobility to operate comfortably in modern offensive actions — including dribble hand-offs, screen-and-roll, and pick-and-pop situations. Has a natural feel for timing and spacing, allowing him to complement perimeter-oriented teammates.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1956502' first='Dominique' last='Bentho'] | 2026 | Harvard-Westlake</h4>   <p>Bentho is a 6-foot-8 center with soft hands and good touch around the rim allow him to finish efficiently in traffic. Operates more as a traditional five, preferring interior play to stepping out and spacing the floor. Mobile enough to execute dribble handoffs and function within screen-and-roll action. Uses his wide frame effectively to seal defenders and establish deep position as a high-low target. Shows patience on catches and finishes with composure.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Elton Smith, Jr. | 2026 | Dynamic Prep (TX)</h4>   <p>Smith has soft hands, good touch, and a strong understanding of how to operate around the basket. Uses his powerful frame and sturdy lower body to establish deep post position and finish through contact. Fluid in his movements, which allows for clean catches, quick gathers, and efficient finishes at the rim. Shows consistency with a right-hand jump hook to the middle of the floor that has become a reliable go-to move. One of his most underrated skills is his passing ability out of the post — he stays patient, reads the floor, and finds open cutters or shooters with precision. Defensively, he has good length and is a physical positional defender and projects as a defensive anchor.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Kamsi Awaka | 2027 | Blair Academy (NJ)</h4>   <p>Awaka is a traditional five-man who was best as an interior finisher out of the dunker spot on drop-off passes. Used his physicality and strong frame to initiate and finish through contact. Pursued offensive rebounds in and out of his area. Showed the ability to seal deep post position, demand the ball and score with a basic right hand finish at the rim. Mobile in transition for a big and set physical screens to free up his guards. Capable rim protector and positional defender.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Pavie Backo | 2007 (DOB) | KK Mega Basket (INTL)</h4>   <p>Big, physical, and skilled left-handed center with a high IQ and a polished offensive feel. Can stretch the floor to the three-point line as a reliable catch-and-shoot option but was at his best when backing his way to the rim and finishing with a jump hook. Passes well out of the post and operates effectively as a trigger man at the top of the key. Comfortable initiating offense through dribble handoffs or drag screen actions in transition. Possesses a back-to-the-basket game with soft touch to his strong hand.</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. In an era where most forwards and centers want to be categorized as "stretch" players, the guys below embraced their size inside.