As we eagerly await the upcoming college basketball season, I’m turning the spotlight to Las Vegas. While the college basketball season may be a few months away, there’s always a wealth of information to keep basketball junkies informed about some of the rising talents from around the country who have graced the courts of Las Vegas.
Despite being a hub for producing talent at the high school level, it often seems like Las Vegas doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. It’s crucial that we shine a bright light on the exceptional homegrown talent from the city.
The truth is, Vegas is more than just a city; it’s a basketball hotbed. Whether it’s the NBA Summer League, college tournaments, or national competitions, everyone aspires to be a part of the action in this vibrant city.
Without a doubt, over the past 5 to 7 years, Las Vegas has consistently produced some of the nation’s finest college basketball talents. This year is no exception, reaffirming that Las Vegas is a city worth keeping an eye on. The talent pool here continues to flourish, ensuring that the future of college basketball remains vibrant and promising for years to come.
Let’s get down to business:
* Milos Uzan, (Oklahoma Sooners) a 6’4″ 193-pound point guard, made quite an impact in his freshman year, earning a spot on the 2023 Big 12 All-Freshman Team. He averaged 7.6 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game.
Notable moments include an impressive 18-point game against Texas Tech, where he shot 70% from the field and contributed three assists, three rebounds, and a steal on January 7, 2023. He also had a standout performance with 20 points against No. 11/11 Kansas State on March 1, 2023.
What sets Milos apart is his versatility. Despite his height, he excels as a passer and can score in various ways. He’s also known for his high basketball IQ and low turnover rate. As one of the team leaders, he’s expected to keep improving and gain more attention from NBA scouts.
At just 20 years old, Milos is a three-level scorer with exceptional passing skills and defensive instincts. ESPN even projects him as a potential second-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Without question, Uzan is one of the most efficient guards in the Big 12 conference look for him to have a Big-time breakout season.
* Glenn Taylor Jr., (St. John’s University) a 6’6″ 200-pound forward, showcased his skills in all 32 games at Oregon State, starting in 26 of them. He averaged 11.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, with an impressive 30.1 minutes on the court. Notably, he reached double-figure scoring in 19 games, including three 20+ point performances, such as his remarkable 28-point game against California, where he sank 15 free throws.
As a freshman Taylor was selected to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team … Named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week on January 3 … Scored in double figures in eight games … Had career highs with 16 points and six field goals against Oregon.
Taylor’s versatility shines in college basketball, especially as an underrated perimeter shooter. His defensive prowess creates chaos for opponents, and his coachable nature aligns seamlessly with St. John’s and Head Coach Rick Pitino’s playing style. Taylor will get the job done. He is the type of player that coaches dream of.
* Jalen Hill, (UNLV, Running, Rebels), a 6’6” Forward weighing 232 pounds, showcased his skills in the 2023 season, earning himself an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. Throughout the season, he made his presence felt in all 32 games, starting each one displaying versatility on the court with averages of 9.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.
Two standout moments defined his season. First, he delivered an outstanding performance against Alabama, where he scored a season-high 26 points. Later, he demonstrated his endurance by playing a career-high 43 minutes in a game against Texas Tech.
Now, Jalen is set to bring his talent back to his home state as a graduate transfer for the UNLV Running Rebels. Despite his size, he is a physical player known for his rebounding abilities and smart positioning on the court.
Additionally, he’s a good on-ball defender, displaying excellent footwork. His offensive skills shine through when he’s in transition, as he possesses the capability to finish plays above the rim, making him a valuable asset to his team.
* Pop Isaacs (Texas Tech Red Raiders) 6’2″ 170-pound, point guard: He earned Big 12 All-Freshman Team honors during his first season at Tech where he averaged 11.5 points, 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals, and 2.0 rebounds per game.
Led Tech with 62 made 3-pointers during the season and averaged 12.4 points in Big 12 games. Isaacs scored a career-high 24 points against Nicholls in non-conference play.
In Big 12 play, Isaacs had a high of 23 points at No. 10 Texas where he was 5-for-9 on 3-pointers.
Isaacs is poised for a breakout season. He is a big-time shotmaker that can stretch the floor, extending beyond the three-point line.
I am impressed with Isaacs as a facilitator and a floor general. He has good court awareness, he’s definitely one of the premier guards in the Big 12 conference.
* Donovan Yap (Fresno State Bulldogs) a 6’5” 185-pound shooting guard: he’s a wiry and agile guard, and is poised to play a crucial role this coming season. Donovan has good shooting mechanics and a knack for stretching the floor beyond the three-point line, Donovan poses a constant threat to opponents.
Notably, he delivered a standout performance with a season-high in three-point makes against Cal State Northridge.
Over the course of the season, Donovan maintained an average of 6.1 points per game and 1.6 assists per game, highlighting his versatility on the court. Additionally, his impressive 76.3% free throw shooting showcases his reliability in clutch situations.
Watch for Donovan to emerge as a pivotal contributor for the Bulldogs, elevating their performance on the court.
* Taviontae Jackson, a 6’2″, 165-pound guard from (Colorado State University), made significant strides in his freshman year. He appeared in 28 games, even earning his first career start against Mississippi Valley State. Jackson averaged 4.5 points per game and boasted a 31.3% success rate from the three-point line. His standout performance came against Mississippi Valley State, where he scored a season-high 16 points.
Jackson possesses a good body frame for a prospect, including good strength for a guard his size. His athleticism shines he confidently sinks mid-range shots and takes on defenders, demonstrating a knack for finishing strong at the rim.
His skill set is on a clear upward trajectory, and with more in-game experience, he’s poised to develop into an even more promising player.
In essence, Jackson is a young talent with a bright future ahead, trending in the right direction. Anticipate a solid second season from this budding star.
* Tone Hunter, a 6’1″ 160-pound point guard (Oakland University), made a significant impact during the season for Long Beach State appearing in 32 games and starting 12 of them. His stats were impressive, averaging 7.3 points per game ppg, 2.7 assists per game apg, and maintaining a solid 70% free throw shooting accuracy.
Hunter’s real strength lies in his intangible qualities, making him a valuable leader on the court. He excels in breaking down defenders in one-on-one situations, demonstrating an exceptional ability to penetrate the defense with his dribbling skills.
Moreover, he consistently creates opportunities for his teammates through his dribble penetration, showcasing versatility in his playmaking.
With these qualities, there’s no doubt that Tone Hunter is a valuable addition to Oakland University’s basketball team in the Horizon League. His skills and leadership will contribute to the team’s success.
At this juncture, we are actively monitoring reports on Hunter’s recovery process following his injury. We are committed to keeping you well-informed and updated regarding his condition as he progresses toward a full recovery.
* St. Mary’s sophomore, Joshua Jefferson, is an impressive 6’9″ 220-pound forward. During his freshman year, he played in 34 out of 35 games, averaging 8.1 minutes per game while contributing 2.2 points and 1.4 rebounds per game. His shooting percentages were solid, with a 43.4% field goal rate and a 31% accuracy from beyond the arc.
Jefferson’s basketball mechanics are top-notch, particularly his exceptional footwork and soft touch around the rim for a player of his size.
He’s versatile on the court, comfortable operating from either block, Jefferson possesses excellent lateral movement and mobility. His strong body frame further enhances his game, allowing him to excel with his back to the basket.
Importantly, St. Mary’s style of play complements Jefferson’s skills, making him a key asset in their frontcourt. As he enters his sophomore year, expect Joshua Jefferson to make a significant impact in the upcoming season.
Unit 1 Hoop Source 