Let me be clear: I don’t have skin in the game. I’m not tied to any high school program or grassroots team. My only loyalty is to the truth of the game—to identifying which players truly have the upside, motor, and tools to compete at the next level.
I’ve identified 26 players from Las Vegas who caught my eye early. Not because of hype, but because of what I saw with my own eyes, and what I confirmed through trusted sources—coaches, trainers, and evaluators I respect. I write these reports so coaches can read them on the back end, without needing to make a call. That’s why I document, archive, and distribute my scouting newsletters and reports: to give accurate, long-form basketball insight straight from the ground.
This is about character, clarity, and consistency. No fluff. No games. Just basketball, the way it should be scouted. Let’s get to work
Understanding the Metrics: What Scouts and Evaluators Really Look For
Before diving into player assessments, it’s important to break down the key metrics that evaluators, scouts, and recruiters use when analyzing high school talent. As someone who writes from both a journalistic and scouting perspective, my goal is to ensure that parents, players, and coaches alike have a clear understanding of what matters most in the evaluation process.
Too often, the focus is on rankings or stats. But true player development — and college-level recruitment — relies on deeper factors. Below are several core evaluation traits that college coaches, professional scouts, and serious basketball minds prioritize when determining if a player has real potential.
🔼 Upside – Seeing Long-Term Potential
Upside refers to a player’s projected long-term ceiling — what they could become with full development, maturity, and opportunity. It’s not about how dominant a player is today, but how far they could go tomorrow.
Why It Matters:
Some players peak early due to physical maturity. Others grow into their game over time. Evaluators bet on what’s possible, not just what’s visible. College recruiters and NBA front offices prioritize upside because they’re investing in future results, not just present production.
🔋 Motor – The Engine Behind the Player
Motor refers to a player’s consistent effort and energy — their willingness to play hard on both ends of the floor.
Scouts Notice:
- Are you jogging or sprinting in transition?
- Do you fight for rebounds or wait for them?
- Are you active without the ball?
- Do you defend with purpose?
Let’s keep it real: Motor is a choice, not a skill. Players who play hard every possession stand out. If you’re serious about the next level, your motor must be undeniable — it’s one of the most visible traits to evaluators.
🧠 Basketball IQ – Playing Smarter Every Game
Basketball IQ is the mental side of the game — understanding situations, making sound decisions, and seeing the floor like a coach.
Scouts Watch For:
- Shot selection and ball movement
- Defensive awareness and communication
- Game adjustment without needing to be told
- Whether you make others better
You don’t need to be flashy to be smart. Players who process quickly, anticipate actions, and stay poised under pressure make a lasting impression on scouts.
📈 Floor vs. Ceiling – Projecting Range of Development
This is one of the most important long-term tools used in scouting.
- Ceiling = The highest level a player could reach with full development.
- Floor = The lowest level a player is likely to reach, even if growth slows.
Smart evaluators ask:
- Has the player already peaked?
- Is there room to grow physically or mentally?
- Are the tools in place for the next level?
Understanding this can reset expectations for parents and players — not everyone has the same ceiling, but everyone needs to know their developmental track.
🦾 Length – A Hidden Asset in Evaluations
Length is more than just height — it’s wingspan, standing reach, and the ability to cover ground or disrupt plays.
Evaluators Look For:
- Defensive versatility
- Contesting shots without fouling
- Ability to deflect, block, and recover
- Efficiency covering space in fewer steps
Two players may be 6’5”, but the one with better length might block more shots, contest better, and switch across positions — length often unlocks upside.
🌀 Feel – Instincts That Can’t Be Taught
“Feel” is the hardest thing to describe — but every serious evaluator knows it when they see it. It’s that natural sense for where to be and what to do, often without being told.
Scouts Recognize:
- Quick, confident decisions
- Timely cuts and relocations
- Smart reads on both ends
- Patience and poise in pressure situations
Feel isn’t just IQ — it’s instinctive rhythm, a flow with the game that makes players more effective without needing a play drawn up for them.
🧭 Final Word
If you’re a parent, coach, or player trying to navigate the path to college basketball, these traits are your compass. Talent will get attention, but motor, IQ, feel, upside, and length are what keep attention.
As a writer committed to truthful evaluations, these are the filters I apply when watching a game or breaking down film. These are the same metrics that college coaches and professional evaluators are using behind closed doors. So if you’re serious about taking your game to the next level, understand these traits—and build toward them.
The Commitment: Three Looks Minimum, National Perspective Only
In the weeks ahead, as the high school season gets underway, I’m committing myself to watching each of these players a minimum of three times. Some I’ve already seen during grassroots ball this summer, but real evaluations demand more than one viewing. That’s why I’m doubling down — not just for Las Vegas, not just for the region — but to ensure these names are recognized nationally.
This is a fair approach. Fair to the city. Fair to the programs. Fair to the young men who truly want to play at the next level. My role isn’t to rank players — they’ll do that themselves with their performance, their motor, and their consistency.
Below is a group of 26 players from the Las Vegas area that I believe have a legitimate chance to compete beyond high school. This list isn’t based on hype, politics, or favoritism. It’s based on potential, projection, and honest evaluation. These are players I’ll be tracking closely all season long.
Let’s break them down by class and profile…
🔹 Class of 2026 – Core Seniors to Watch
These players are entering a critical year for recruitment and exposure. Many of them are already on the radar — now it’s about proving consistency, growth, and college-level potential.
- Devan Christion – 6’8″ | Clark
- Dante Steward – 6’5″ | Liberty
- Demari Hunter – 6’3″ | Coronado
- Johnny Collins – 6’2″ | Coronado
- Tyus Thomas – 6’0″ | Liberty
- Curtis Coleman – 6’5″ | Mojave
- Amare Oba – 6’6″ | Coronado
- Josiah Stroghter – 6’2″ | DPAC
- Zubayr Tom – 6’3″ | Palo Verde
- Phil Gordon – 6’3″ | Mojave
- Clinton Ezugha – 6’6″ | Foothill
🔹 Class of 2027 – Emerging Juniors  with Tools
This group is right on the edge of making their names known. A big Junior campaign could elevate several of these guys into national discussion.
- Jalen White – 6’7″ | Bella Vista Prep
- Kameron Cooper – 6’6″ | Bishop Gorman
- Ty Ty Johnson – 6’2″ | Bishop Gorman
- Uzo Nwapa – 6’3″ | The Meadows School
- Tyjir Broxie – 6’7″ | Mojave
- Ien Kirkland – 6’4″ | Arbor View
- Jalen Parker – 6’3″ | Liberty
- Dion Parker – 6’5″ | DPAC
- Tyler Merto – 6’6″ | Desert Pines
🔹 Class of 2028 – Long-Term Projects with Size
These players are still early in their development, but the tools — especially size and length — are already visible. They’ll be fun to track as they grow.
- Terry McKinney III – 6’8″ | Bishop Gorman
- Aaron McMorran – 6’3″ | Desert Pines
- Dashaun Harris – 6’0″ | DPAC
- Hudson Dannels – 6’8″ | Bishop Gorman
🔹 Class of 2029 – The Early Riser
It’s rare to include a rising freshman on this type of list, but this young guard has already made enough noise to keep a close eye on.
- DJ Hunter – 5’11” | Somerset Losee
⚠️ Special Note: Multi-Sport Prospect
- Jett Washington – 6’5″ | Bishop Gorman
Note: Washington is a high-level football recruit. This could be the year he leans fully into football, but his athleticism and frame still make him a player to monitor if he suits up on the hardwood.
Closing Thoughts: Why Las Vegas Deserves the Spotlight
Las Vegas has long been known for its glitz, its lights, and its national events — but when it comes to high school basketball, the everyday grind and long-term potential of its athletes are often overlooked. That’s why this work matters. These evaluations, this writing, this commitment — it’s not about hype or highlights. It’s about putting a spotlight on the foundation of basketball in this city. It’s about giving visibility to young men who deserve to be seen through an honest lens.
This city has earned that. These kids have earned that.
And I’m going to keep showing up to make sure their names are not just known — but respected.
Unit 1 Hoop Source 