The annual Border League showcase was this past weekend in Las Vegas and this was certainly one of the more loaded fields in recent memory since the Border League came to existence. The Border League is one of the best preseason events and has been for years now. This year the event featured just about 15 expected preseason ranked programs from the East Coast to the West Coast. A plethora of college coaches and even NBA personnel were in attendance all over Vegas. Here are my main takeaways from this past weekend out in Las Vegas.
Prolific Prep stands at No. 1
Head coach Ryan Bernardi and staff have built them a potential national championship roster when it is all said and done come March/April 2026 at the Chipotle Nationals. After making it to the semifinals last season with the potential No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Darryn Peterson, Prolific Prep has the chance to advance even further with this team. Despite not having highly rated prospect 2026 Caleb Holt and newly Kansas commit 2026 Davion Adkins this past weekend, Prolific looked like a well rounded all-around squad with 2027 Nasir “Rudy” Anderson, 2027 Bruce Branch III, 2026 Alex Smith (Ohio State), 2029 Draydne McDaniel, and 2026 M.J. Madison leading the pack. They went unbeaten this past weekend in an impressive fashion — defeating Serbian club MEGA and top-30 St. John Bosco (CA).
The Tyran Stokes Show
With multiple NBA personnel in attendance in Las Vegas this past weekend, it was no doubt they were there to check out potential lottery pick in the 2027 NBA Draft Tyran Stokes — the No. 1 prospect in the 2026 high school class. The Tyran Stokes show certainly didn’t disappoint with his best performance being the comeback win over preseason top-10 Dynamic Prep (TX) where he dropped 31 points. The 6-foot-7 forward continues to consistently prove why he is number overall in his class. His ability to make plays with the ball outside of scoring were on display, he showed he is more confident shooting from the perimeter as he made a few three-point shots over the weekend, and his eye-popping size and next level body frame were also on display. Stokes recently released his top five schools with Kentucky, Oregon, Louisville, Kansas, and USC.
Archbishop Stepinac, Jasiah Jervis, and Adonis Ratliff
From the East Coast to the West Coast, Archbishop Stepinac made their debut in the Border League showcase representing the state of New York. The Crusaders are coming into the 2025-2026 high school season ranked in the preseason top-25 nationally and they for sure boosted their resume over the weekend facing Iowa United (IA), AZ Compass Prep (AZ), and Columbus (FL) — two out of three other preseason ranked programs. Stepinac finished the weekend 2-1 with only losing to preseason top-10 nationally ranked AZ Compass. 2026 Jasiah Jervis — who had an outstanding stock-boosting spring, summer — continued his momentum from the AAU season to the high school floor with his 29-point performance in a win over Columbus. 2026 Adonis Ratliff popped the weekend off with his 35-point, 7-rebound, and 2-block performance in a win over Iowa United. Does Archbishop Stepinac may have their best all around squad since the 2019-2020 season?
Caleb Gaskins Impressive Showing
No Cameron Boozer or Carlos Boozer — twin son’s of former NBA player Carlos Boozer — at Columbus High School this season for the first time since before they came in as freshmen and won four straight class 7A Florida high school state championships. 2026 Caleb Gaskins is the now main focus for this year’s Columbus Explorers team and he certainly shined this past weekend in front the multiple college coaches and NBA scouts in Las Vegas. Gaskins shows potential as a long term prospect that can play at the next level. With his 6-foot-8 225-pound body frame, the senior forward has such a smooth, poised game that he continues to put on display. Caleb had one of the best all around performances this past weekend with his 39-point outing against preseason top-25 nationally ranked Archbishop Stepinac (NY). He has an elite mid-range jumper that he can get off at anytime, utilizes his physical frame to get to the basket and finish plays, and can handle the ball effectively for a prospect his size, length which allows him to create offensively.
Sierra Canyon, Brandon McCoy Jr., and Maximo Adams
Sierra Canyon might have their best all around team since the 2021-2022 high school season, especially after adding highly rated prospect 2026 Brandon McCoy Jr. this off-season. The Trailblazers had themselves a great weekend out in Las Vegas finishing with a 1-2 record facing three other preseason top-25 nationally ranked programs — AZ Compass Prep (AZ), Wasatch Academy (UT), and Dream City Christian (AZ) — losing to AZ Compass and Dream City Christian. Brandon McCoy Jr. displayed his elite athleticism, intensity on the court, and excellent body control with some strong finishes at the rim with his new squad. 2026 Maximo Adams — who has been on just about every NBA scouts radar dating back to the summer — was also impressive and continues to prove why he should be considered a long term prospect as he develops his all around game. At 6-foot-7 he is able to be effective on both ends of the floor. With his elite versatility he has the ability to be an impactful rebounder, spaces the floor with his perimeter shooting skills, and has the strength to finish plays inside the paint.
The Deron Rippey Jr. Show
2026 point guard Deron Rippey Jr. is one of the more elite point guards in his class and after his fellow classmate, Taylen Kinney, recently committing to Kansas, he is the current top available point guard in the class. The 6-foot-1 guard shows flashes of Memphis star Ja Morant. At a close comparable size, Rippey has the explosiveness, athleticism, and quickness getting to the rim. He holds elite body control, can weave his way inside defenses, making plays easier for his teammates, and displayed his improving ability to knock down jumpers from the perimeter. He had an outstanding weekend out in Vegas in front of NBA scouts — finishing with a near triple double in the first game against Overtime Elite in a matchup against Taylen Kinney with a 12-point, 11-rebound, and 6-assists outing and a 21-point, 4-assists, 4-rebound, and 2-steal performance in the second game in a win over No. 1 Tyran Stokes and preseason top-25 nationally ranked Notre Dame (CA).
The Grind Hoops by Samad Hines 