Border League: Best Big Men (Pt. 1)
In this article:
LAS VEGAS — Bishop Gorman, Coronado and other Vegas-area high schools played host to one of the premier high school/prep school basketball events of the year over the weekend. The Border League brought teams from across the country to Southern…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingLAS VEGAS — Bishop Gorman, Coronado and other Vegas-area high schools played host to one of the premier high school/prep school basketball events of the year over the weekend. The Border League brought teams from across the country to Southern Nevada for a three-day event which was loaded with top team and individual matchups. In this piece we take a closer look at the top performing big men from the weekend.
Asa Newell Asa Newell 6'8" | PF Montverde Academy | 2024 State #29 Nation FL , 2024, Montverde Academy (FL)
Newell is a do-everything type of 4/5 man. At 6-feet-9, his combination of quick-twitch athleticism, length, mobility and a high motor on both ends of the floor leads to a productivity in multiple stat categories and facets of the game. Newell is a walking double-double whose efficiency and ability to impact the game without needing to dominate the ball makes him an impactful big man.
Blake Rawson Blake Rawson 6'8" | PF American Fork | 2024 State UT , 2024, American Fork (UT)
Rawson’s value is in him being a physical interior defender and rebounder and his multi-faceted offensive impact. The 6-foot-8 forward/center has a college-ready frame which allows him to initiate, absorb and finish through contact around the basket. Rawson is also highly effective in as a ball-screener. He sprints to screens, stays set and his the defender’s body to give his guards space to operate.
Cameron Boozer Cameron Boozer 6'9" | PF Columbus | 2025 State #2 Nation FL , 2025, Columbus (FL)
There’s not a whole lot that needs to be written about Boozer that he doesn’t show every time he takes the court. The 6-foot-9 forward is as good as it gets on the high school level and his game projects well beyond the elite high school level. The junior scores inside in a variety of ways with footwork and touch, can stretch the floor well beyond the three-point line and has the ball skills to break down defenders and drive and score at the rim.
Derelle Desire, 2024, Corner Canyon (UT)
The Utah-based big man opened some eyes this summer while playing for the Salt Lake Rebels and that momentum has carried over into the fall with Corner Canyon. Desire is pushing 7-feet tall and is a mobile rim-runner, versatile defender and effective rim protector with great timing when contesting shots. Desire has some work to do offensively but his size and impact as a shot changer doesn’t come around often.
Derik Queen Derik Queen 6'9" | PF Montverde Academy | 2024 State #18 Nation FL , Montverde Academy (FL)
Queen is one of the more skilled offensive big men in the country and he had that arsenal on full display over the weekend. The 6-foot-9 center has great feel with his back to the basket, can score with either hand at the rim and is a high level interior passer with great vision and a willingness to dish out of double teams. Queen has great patience and IQ on his post touches and doesn’t try to force offensive actions through multiple defenders.