Strictly BBall

Border League Full Breakdown

What to look out for at Border League this year!

by Griffin Greenberg on October 12

Border League 2023 is here, featuring some of the best players across the nation. Multiple top ranked players will be in attendance such as Cooper Flagg, Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa, and Tyran Stokes.

The event is held at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, NV, and consists of 12 games being held on ESPN platforms.

BORDER LEAGUE

HEADLINES

Top Flight Invite

The Top Flight Invite holds 11 ESPN televised games with each team matching up tournament style to crown a champion on Sunday.

TV schedule:

1st Round Matchups - October 13th on ESPN+

Prolific Prep (CA) vs. LABC (CA) - 7:15 PM ET

Matchup preview:

The CIF state champion based team in LABC will face the Strictly BBall No. 2 ranked preseason team in the first round. These two teams last met in the championship of the Border League Super 16 last year, with Prolific Prep taking down LABC 71-70. LABC is an experienced team that will look to their senior leadership in Trent Perry and Robert Hinton, as well as well-rounded junior Nik Khamenia, and Prolific has one of the most completed teams in high school basketball, making for an intriguing matchup.

Side note: LABC’s Trent Perry is also set to announce his college commitment at Border League between Gonzaga, Oregon, Colorado, TCU, USC, and Stanford.

Notable players: AJ Dybantsa (Prolific Prep), Tyran Stokes (Prolific Prep), Derrion Reid (Prolific Prep), Aiden Sherrell (Prolific Prep), Zoom Diallo (Prolific Prep), Trent Perry (LABC), Mikey Lewis (Prolific Prep), Nik Khamenia (LABC), Robert Hinton (LABC), Winters Grady (Prolific Prep).

Explorers (FL) vs. Air Nado (NV) - 9:00 PM ET

Matchup preview:

The Explorers made a big splash over summer, adding the Richardson brothers and Randy Smith to their already powerful squad featuring the Boozer twins. They’ll face Henderson-based Air Nado who is led by 3-star senior guard Josiah Cunningham and 4-star junior big Tee Bartlett. The Vegas team will face the Richardson brothers once again, losing to them in their last matchup when the brothers played for Bishop Gorman.

Notable players: Cameron Boozer (Explorers), Cayden Boozer (Explorers), Jase Richardson (Explorers), Tee Bartlett (Air Nado), Jaxon Richardson (Explorers), Malik Abdullahi (Explorers), Benny Fragela (Explorers), Josiah Cunningham (Air Nado), Randy Smith (Explorers).

Florida Eagles (FL) vs. Bishop O’Connell (VA) - 10:45 PM ET

Matchup preview:

The Florida Eagles are the defending Border League champions, returning most of their roster from last season. The Strictly BBall preseason No. 3 ranked team will likely be the most followed team throughout this season because of their five star recruits, most notably Cooper Flagg. Bishop O’Connell brought in 5-star Bryson Tucker this summer, a player with a multi-dimensional skill set that can score at all levels, and they have a number of other intriguing recruits.

Notable players: Cooper Flagg (Florida Eagles), Caleb Gaskins (Florida Eagles), Asa Newell (Florida Eagles), Liam McNeeley (Florida Eagles), Derik Queen (Florida Eagles), Quincy Wadley (Bishop O’Connell), Bryson Tucker (Bishop O’Connell), Rob Wright III (Florida Eagles), Curtis Givens (Florida Eagles), AJ Swinton (Bishop O’Connell), Jasiah Cannady (Bishop O’Connell).

AZ Compass (AZ) vs. LV Orange (NV) - 12:30 AM ET

Matchup preview:

AZ Compass reloaded with a very new looking team, returning only Arizona commit Jamari Phillips. They’ve added energetic and exciting players such as Jeremiah Fears, Del Jones, Sammie Yeanay to their team and are listed as the Strictly BBall preseason No. 8 ranked team. LV Orange has a more underrated team this season after losing a few players in the high school transfer portal as they’re highlighted by crafty guard Nick Jefferson and well rounded guard Ryder Elisaldez.

Notable players: Jeremiah Fears (AZ Compass), Jamari Phillips (AZ Compass), Del Jones (AZ Compass), Sammie Yeanay (AZ Compass), Imahri Wooten (AZ Compass), Luke Bamgboye (AZ Compass), Ethan Lathan (AZ Compass) Nick Jefferson (LV Orange), Ryder Elisadez (LV Orange)

Underrated players to watch

2025 Nik Khamenia (LABC)

Nik Khamenia isn’t ranked in the ESPN Top 60, but definitely makes a great case for why he should be. He’s a 6’8 wing that can play multiple positions, being very disciplined at the guard spot and can definitely run an offense. He has excellent three point shooting and his court vision may be among the best in the class.

2024 Josiah Cunningham (Air Nado)

Cunningham has flown a bit under the radar on the national scene throughout his high school career, but he’s an explosive guard that should get more eyes his senior year. He runs the floor very well and can finish at multiple levels. He’s also a threat in transition with his speed, and can serve as a pesky defender able to pick up steals.

2024 Jayce Nathaniel (AZ Compass)

Nathaniel is ranked as a 3-star but has an opportunity to improve his ranking and expand his offer list drastically with AZ Compass this season. He’s an elite defender, able to guard every position with his 6’8” frame and athleticism. He gets out in transition well, and is very active on the boards and inside.

Super 16

3 Exciting Matchups

The Tribe (CA) vs. Overtime Elite (GA) - October 13th at 8:30 PM ET

Any matchups that either of these teams are in can be considered very exciting ones. Overtime Elite has a star-studded team with Bryson Tiller, Karter Knox, Jahki Howard, Jaeden Mustaf, John Bol, Mikel Brown Jr., Daquan Davis, and more while The Tribe have their powerful young core in Elzie Harrington, Brandon McCoy, Kade Bonam. It should be interesting to get a look at this OTE squad this weekend with all their star power, previewing what can come with their exciting players in their league. The Tribe finished in the quarterfinals last season in CIF playoffs (as St. John Bosco), and are gaining more experience playing with each other each year.

Blue Nights (CA) vs. Storm Hoopers (ID) - October 15th at 3:00 PM ET

This is the only nationally televised game in the Super 16 event and it will air on ESPNU. The Blue Nights feature 4-star Houston commit Mercy Miller and 2025 Bryce James, they’ll take on the Storm Hoopers led by USC commit Liam Campbell. Campbell is a guard that can score at multiple levels and is a great facilitator while Miller uses his craftiness and explosiveness to score and shoot it at a high clip from beyond the arc. Make sure to watch out for high-flying forward Bryce James, a trait that runs in his family.

Wasatch Academy (UT) vs. Hoop Nation (CA) - October 13th at 7:15 PM ET

This will be an intense matchup that also has many high major players featured. Hoop Nation is led by 5-star Arizona commit Carter Bryant and 4-star UCLA commit Eric Freeny. Wasatch Academy has class of 2025 5-star Isiah Harwell, 4-star Ohio State commit John Mobley Jr., 2025 5-star Chris Nwuli, SDSU commit Taj DeGourville, and TCU commit Malick Diallo. Mobley, Nwuli, and DeGourville are three of Wasatch Academy’s new transfers coming in from Vegas and should bring high energy play for the team this season.

More Notable Players

Larry Johnson - Southern California Academy

Naasir Cunningham - Southern California Academy

Demarco Johnson - Southern California Academy

Amier Ali - Canyon International Academy

Brannon Martinsen - Big Red

Jayden Williams - Bella Vista College Prep

Isaiah Elohim - CBC

Justin Pippen - CBC

Brody Kozlowski - Corner Canyon

Emmanuel Stephen - Dream City Christian

Cam Holmes - Millennium

Aaron Powell - The Hall

Pharaoh Compton - Toros Select

Papa N’Diaye - Trinity

Tiger Cuff - American Fork