The Tarkanian Classic: More Top Performers

Ryan James December 22, 2021 @ 12:31 PM

Shant Chenorhavorian of Arcadia (2022, Guard). It would be hard for you to find a coach that wouldn’t like coaching Chenorhavorian. In reading other evaluations and seeing him live, I love his toughness. He had 20 points and five assists constantly on the attack against Rancho out of Nevada who is young and doing a lot of zone trapping. Shant challenged this defense aggressively and with nobody willing to step in and take a charge on him, he made mulch of the defense with his attacks. Had 20 points and most of it was early. As the game moved on he kept the ball moving as extra attention came his direction and others prospered. Shant is a heady, tough player that I imagine ranks with the more consistent players in his area. Based on the reviews he is a hell of a shooter at the arc too.

Sky Clay of Arcadia (2023, Wing). I really like the potential of Sky Clay. Looking back through the season he’s been one of Arcadia’s more consistent players this year. At 6’4, agile, and with a broad shouldered, agile frame, this is a young man that can add some weight and still be an agile defender, playmaker, and scorer. He knocked out four triples for Arcadia in the win over Rancho so the potential as a shooter seems to be there. Had 18 in a balanced win. Sky Clark is a junior to keep an eye on.

Roderick “Quick” Johnson of Somerset Losee (2025, PG). Johnson is one of the best playmaking freshman I have seen any place, any where so far. He had 16 in leading his team to a win over Del Sol and the natural playmaking ability was quite clear. His corner turn into the one hander before the help defense arrives was hit multiple times and look so fluid. The jumper has a clean release and through nine games this year Johnson is hitting an impressive 60 percent of his shots as a young guard! Add in the 83 percent foul shooting and 13 points a game and you have a playmaker to know.

Jimar Mitchell Jimar Mitchell 5'11" | SG Rancho | 2022 State NV of Rancho (2022, Wing). Mitchell is Rancho’s experienced do everything player. He leads the team in scoring, assists, and is one of their best finishers, rebounders, and creators. Because Mitchell is strong and agile, he can body a guy from turning an angle and his closeout ability/recovery ability can make up for slight mistakes as we saw against Rancho. Mitchell scored multiple times taking contact and finishing through it plus showed to be a really good passer. An all around worker.

Devonte Reed of Taylor Made Prep (2023, Wing). College love length and they love versatility. Throw in the words potential and agility and you get their attention. Devonte Reed will get their attention. He has some of the longest arms you will ever see for a guard and Reed uses that length extremely well. His shot contests forced bad misses and eventually quick ball rotations from players throughout the game I watched. Reed also got his hands on thee shots and earned steals/deflections. Throw in the extending rebounds as well as the finishes using that length to get around players and you have a player with rare ability. With so much upside. When you look through highlights of past games this is a player that can finish in closed space without many issues and when he adds just a little core strength, look out.

Jabar Wheatley Jr Jabar Wheatley Jr 6'2" | SG Taylor Made Prep | 2022 State AZ of Taylor Made Prep (2022, Guard). Wheatley had one of the most natural seven basket in a half games I have ever seen. He looks like a linebacker just cruising through space and then pouncing on opportunity. He finished through contact as well as any player you will see and his open floor completions were done despite bigger players knocking into him. This is a tough, rugged bucket getter and what I really found interesting was that on two occasions - one a teammate, one a coach - there was advice given and you could see him not only listen, but apply it on the next play.