I was at the Circuit Championships from August 5th-8th. Big thanks for the hospitality to the Circuit staff along with Dinos Trigonis, Valerie Brown and his staff. As always a well run tournament when they are involved. It was hard to put together a list of top players since there was an obscene amount of talent in the Tarkanian Basketball Academy. I'll give it a try though:
MVP: Anthony Black, 3D Empire, 6'7" combo guard- Led team to 17U Championship. To limit him to being a point guard would be an injustice. This young man can play multiple positions even a small ball four. He was my MVP before he was officially named as such. I did a synopsis on his game from the article I wrote about 3D Empire: https://www.bigtimshsbballrevue.com/post/3d-empire-champions-of-circuit-league. As I've said I feel he's the best two way player in Class of 2022. Ranked 38th in 247 composite. He should be a Top 10 player in the class but didn't get that love because he played for an independent team. Black did it all on both ends of the court throughout the weekend. Gonzaga, Kansas, Memphis, Duke, Arizona, Georgia, Alabama, Creighton, Minnesota, Arkansas, NC State, Ole Miss, Iowa State, Oklahoma, Illinois, Texas A & M, Oklahoma State, Rice, Auburn, Baylor, St Louis, TCU, Texas Tech, Texas, Texas Arlington, Old Dominion, and North Texas have offered.
Other top players:
Tyler Andrews, Belmont Shore, 6'6" guard- Reclass to 2022 was knocking down three point shots the entire weekend. Seemed like he could not miss. His recruiting should pick up now that coaches are able to get out and watch him. Will play at Sunrise Christian(KS) for a prep year.
Aidan Shaw, Belmont Shore, 6'7" wing- Scored from all over the court with drives to the basket, finishing, and hitting the three point shot. Had a couple of games over 20 points throughout the week.
Trey Pettigrew, Belmont Shore, 6'4" wing- Big time scorer who broke out for a couple of games over 20 points scoring from three and drives to the basket. Relocated back to Chicago Area and will play at Kenwood Academy in Chicago. I think he will end up a legacy recruit and pick Penn State. Decision coming soon.
AJ Storr, Circuit All-Stars, 6'6" wing- Commit to St John's is a prototypical wing on both ends of the court. Hits the three and is explosive off the bounce, finishing strong at the rim. Quickness to guard wings on the perimeter and showed it in this setting. Kankakee, Illinois native.
Hansel Donato, Circuit All-Stars, 6'6" combo guard- One armed bandit showed he can play with top competition. He will pick your pocket with his one arm and is an athletic strong finisher at the rim. A pest with his on the ball defensive prowess, you cannot rest when he is defending you. Low division one team will take a chance on this young man.
Keyonte George, Texas Circuit All-Stars, 6'4" guard- Baylor commit did not shoot well from outside most of the weekend, but showed he can play point guard full time. Set up teammates well with nice passes to the shooting pocket. Penetrates and finishes at the basket with either hand. He made his college commitment while he was at this event. Top 10 player nationally.
Rylan Griffen, Texas Circuit All-Stars, 6'6" combo guard- He showed he might be better than his 66 ranking in 247 composite. Can score from anywhere on the court, threes, mid range, and finishing at the basket. He proved his prowess at the basket by dunking over a 7 footer for the San Francisco Rebels. Multiple Power 6 offers and I look for a list cut soon.
Noah Shelby, Texas Circuit All-Stars, 6'3" point guard- Vanderbilt commit is explosive off the bounce, sets up his teammates, good three point shooter. Good defender who puts pressure on the ball and gives opposing point guards fits. Sleeper for the SEC.
Arterio Morris, Dallas Showtyme, 6'3"point guard- Texas commit is another explosive athlete off the bounce and finishes at the basket. Showed a consistent three point shot which makes him tough to guard. High school teammate of Keyonte George at ISchool in Lewisville(TX). Monster backcourt tandem.
Dillon Mitchell, E1T1 United, 6'7" wing- Versatile lefty wing who can knock down threes, explode to the basket and dunk on players. He has a nice step around Euro step to the basket and scores consistently with the left. Long lanky player who uses those assets to his advantage. Tennessee looks to be the leader in the clubhouse.
Fabio Basilli, E1T1 United, 6'5" wing- He showed a versatile game this weekend hitting threes, mid range, and finishing at the basket. Showed some point guard skills along the way and could do it full time at the next level. Gets down the court quick with his speed and dribble drive moves. He'll also let you know about it. TCU and SMU have extended offers which are picking up rapidly.
Brice Sensabaugh, E1T1 United, 6'6" wing- Big bodied wing who'll finesse you with his dribble moves to the basket, along with pull-up threes. He can also bully you in the paint and on finishes at the rim. So good at using his body to get and take what he wants on the court. Ranked way too low nationally, his offers have jumped in the last month. Stanford, Virginia, Illinois, Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Vanderbilt, and Georgia Tech just in the last 45 days. High academic young man.
Dennis Evans, Inland 17, 7'1" center- Class of 2023 played up in this event. Big is a great rim protector. DO NOT VENTURE IN THY PAINT!!!!!!!!!! Blocked 12 shots against E1T1 United. Raw offensively as he's more of a rim runner right now, but does have a nice jump hook in the lane. Big men are usually late developers and that applies here. Offers should be coming in soon.
Joe Hulburt, North Dakota Phenom, 6'10" forward- Who would have thought top players come from the Dakotas? Colorado commit is a classic stretch four who can hit threes, but this young man can post up in the paint and score with either hand. Can take you off the dribble and finish at the rim. Good rebounder and protects the paint by clogging up space. Has a twin brother named Gus.
Treysen Eaglestaff, North Dakota Phenom, 6'5" wing- Versatility is his name. He can score a variety of ways, from three, mid range, and dribble drives finishing at the rim with explosive dunks. Can get steals by playing the passing lanes with good instincts. He should have more than one offer which is from North Dakota. Lets hope more offers are in the offing.
James Agany, San Francisco Rebels, 7'1" center- Another rim protector who is raw offensively. He changes ends of the floor very well on both ends. Can finish at the rim on offense as well as rebound both ends of the court. No offers at this time but should pick up some at least from the California schools.
Justin Bodo, San Francisco Rebels, 6'11" center- Class of 2023 Big is a good tag team partner with Agany. Good rim protector and raw offensively as well. Finishes at the rim with big time dunks, rebounds on both ends of the court. Changes ends and has good footwork. Just started playing basketball two years ago. Colleges need to get on this young man. Developmental prospect.
Pape Niang, Southeast Elite, 6'10" center- Run on Big's continues. Another good rim protector, changes ends of the floor very well. Good post moves on the block and scores on rim runs to the basket. Has an offer from UC Riverside.
Riley Kugel, Southeast Elite, 6'5" guard-True combo guard who can run point as well as hit threes in bunches om the wing. Good at getting downhill on drives to the basket and finishing when he gets there. Not in Top 100 but maybe should be. Has an offer list of Arkansas State, Auburn, Coastal Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Hofstra, Houston, Miami(FL), Middle Tennessee State, North Florida, Stetson, and UNC Wilmington.
Collin Chandler, Team Kongo Black, 6'5" point guard- One of the best players I saw all weekend. I see why he's a Top 100 player because he definitely should be. Versatile guard who can hit threes off the dribble as well as off the catch. Good passer and rebounder for his position. Can finish at the rim with dunks or nice lay-ins. USC, Oregon, Arizona, BYU, Creighton, Utah State, Stanford, Utah, and Dixie State have extended offers.
Connor Wilson, Team Kongo Black, 6'4" wing- Big time three point shooter off the catch and shoot. If he's open you might as well run to the other end of the court because it's in. Can score off the bounce with mid range pull-up jumpers. Plays hard nosed defense. No recruiting profile could be located.
Ryan Agrawal, 3D Empire, 6'7" wing- Stanford commit is a big time three point shooter. Long wing who is versatile and uses it on both ends of the court. Good passer with great vision to find teammates. Sleeper nationally. Led team to 17U title. Can find more on him in this write-up of the team: https://www.bigtimshsbballrevue.com/post/3d-empire-champions-of-circuit-league.
Camron Amboree, 3D Empire, 6'2" point guard- True point who can hit threes as well. Gets downhill on drives to the basket and finishes with either hand. Led team to 17U Title. More of a synopsis on him in the team write-up: https://www.bigtimshsbballrevue.com/post/3d-empire-champions-of-circuit-league.
Sebastian Mack, Vegas Elite, 6'2" combo guard- Class of 2023 playing up showed big time slashing in attacking the basket and finishing. Hit some threes off the dribble as well as catch and shoot. Good defender who can play multiple positions. Ranked 40th nationally in 247 composite which comprises of combined rankings of 247, ESPN, and Rivals. Schools are New Mexico, Loyola Marymount and UNLV. Son of former NBA player Sam Mack.
Keyon Menifield Jr, Vegas Elite, 6'2" point guard- Leading scorer on Nike EYBL Circuit for regular season. Reclass from 2021 is cat quick and can get to the basket at will. Showed he could hit the three point shot and set up teammates for catch and shoot opportunities from three. Elite athlete that jumps well off two feet. St Louis, New Mexico State, UMass, Washington, St Bonaventure, Boston College, Toledo, Eastern Michigan, and Cleveland State have all extended offers. Most have come in last two months.
Sandrague Nganga, Vegas Elite, 6'9" wing- Outstanding three point shooter. Good scoring in the mid post area on step back jumpers and spin moves to the basket. Long defender that bothers other wings with his length, moves his feet well playing perimeter defense. UCLA, Memphis, Kansas, Georgia, Auburn, Arizona, Arizona State, and Oklahoma have offered. Ranked 17th in 247 composite.
Gabino Ramirez Jr, Hoops Vizion, 6'1" combo guard- He did it all in a couple of games I saw. He hit threes, scored in the mid range, had some nice up and under finishes at the rim. Was everywhere on the defensive end, jumping passing lanes for steals, and picking the pocket of Bigs in the low post. Two way player who should get offers from low division 1/division 2 schools.
A couple of players who played 16U and 15U who belong on the list:
Osiris Grady, Las Vegas Punishers, 6'8" wing- Class of 2023 played inside/outside throughout the event. Hit threes, mid range shots, and finished at the rim. Did some rim protecting as well. Hit a game winning fadeaway three vs Los Angeles Elite. California, Texas Tech, USC, Nevada, Loyola Marymount, Washington State, New Mexico, UNLV, Howard, Ole Miss, and Cal Poly have offered.
Jerry Mixon, San Francisco Rebels, 6'2" combo guard- Class of 2023 showed he can shoot the three and slash to the basket with nice finishes at the rim. Was consistent throughout the tournament.
Aaron Claytor, San Francisco Rebels 16U, 6'1" point guard- Playing up on 16U, Class of 2024 Hit 28 points and 6 threes in one of the games. Showed a mid range game as well. Is a good table setter at the point guard position for his teammates. One of the best young players on the Island in Hawaii. Was told he'd be moving to California for his last two years of high school.
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