The 3 most intriguing players at the Tarkanian Classic Prep Division
Las Vegas, Nevada – For those who read my work often, I am sure you have heard me use the word intrigue when describing a player. Developmentally, intrigue is when a player flashes something special but is raw or inconsistent in the overall production. It is something you see a lot with high school players, who are still figuring things out and putting it all together.
Over 70 NBA scouts and personnel signed in, and over 50 college coaches from programs across the country sat courtside for the three-day Tarkanian Classic Prep Division.
The Tarkanian Classic Prep Division was filled with intrigue. Even the top-ranked players in the event, 2023 On3 Consensus five-stars AJ Johnson and Baye Fall, are not finished products. However, the beautiful thing about putting together over 100 teams from over 20 different states, you will find some new names.
I love intrigue in a prospect. Seeing a little something special in a player, earmarking a name, and checking back every couple of months to see what kind of growth there has been. Here are the players who did not have the accolades coming into the Tarkanian Classic Prep Division; however, their play left an impression in Las Vegas.
7-1 C Khaman Maker
High school: Trinity (NV)
Class: 2024
Offers: Missouri
Maker is a last name that those who follow high school basketball have come to know. However, Khaman Maker is not a brother to Thon Maker. Walking on the floor, he is someone who stands out. Every bit of 7-foot-1 with arms that seemingly hang forever. Maker is raw; if he were a finished product, he would not be in the piece; however, the way he moves, at his height is intriguing.
Maker runs the floor like an accomplished 200m runner. He plays with a motor and has a toughness around the basket, tracking the ball both on the boards and protecting the rim. Maker’s offense is related to transition, lobs, and putbacks. But he did show a couple pick and pop middies that were promising.
Maker needs strength, and he needs to develop his offensive repertoire. But the consistent motor, his ability to rebound and block shots, and his solid hands give a lot of promise, especially in a class that is lacking high major bigs.
6-7 F Hudson Ward
High school: Western Canada Prep (CAN)
Class: 2024
Offers: N/A
While I have a pretty good feel for the other two players on this list, I walked out of the Tarkanian Classic Prep Showcase not really knowing what I think about Hudson Ward.
On the one hand, Ward has a great frame with long arms, and he plays with a competitive fire. At 6-foot-7, Ward has a crafty and aggressive handle, touching the paint often. He creates his own shot in the half-court and knocks down smooth, contested jumpers off the catch. He is the player who wants the ball in his hands.
On the other hand, the shots simply were not falling this weekend. Ward did all the hard work, got himself open looks while being closely guarded in the half-court, and in his three games, could not get the ball to drop. Thus my dilemma.
Ward is someone who I will definitely need to check back on. To be honest, it seemed that a lot of his finishing problems had to do with balance, something that is correctable. He has no offers right now, which was very surprising to hear, but it would not be surprising for them to start flowing in at any point.
6-10 PF Stephen Osei
High school: Real Salt Lake (UT)
Class: 2024
Offers: Incarnate Word
Much like Khaman Maker, Stephen Osei has been hiding in plain sight. He was with the Real Salt Lake program last season, as well as with the UPlay Canada program on Nike’s EYBL Circuit. The 6-foot-10 power forward is originally from Toronto. He has an explosive frame with good size and long arms.
Also, much like Maker, the intrigue comes with the way Osei moves. He grabbed some tough traffic rebounds throughout the weekend and showed some natural rim protection chops. Osei also showcased the ability to switch, sit in a stance, and move his feet with a perimeter guy.
Offensively, he played above the rim. Most of his scoring came off put-backs and out of the dunker spot. However, Osei also knocked down three threes. The flashes here are starting to turn in the