Best Available: The Southwest
Arizona’s large amount of prep schools means several available prospects hoping to find the right fit after a strong winter. Texas also has quality talent still available.
One. Emmanuel Taban of Arizona. A 6-foot-7, 170 pound small forward from Apollo High School in Glendale, Arizona who had a final three of Texas Tech, Nevada, and Wyoming. Visits were scheduled but a decision was never made. Now Taban is the top available prospect in the southwest.
Second. Majok Deng of Arizona. One of the most highly recruited players that Southern Arizona high schools have seen in years, the 6-foot-5 shooting guard built up a list in 2017 that ranked with the best in the country (UCLA and Arizona included). Majok did not sign in the spring and eyes will be on him to see what’s next for him after the high school season.
Three. Rick Issanza of Arizona. Issanza is a 7-foot-1 center from the Congo playing at Bella Vista College Prep with a lot of talented competitors on The Grind Session. Baylor, TCU, and Texas Tech are among the schools that were looking at Rick with effort in August and September.
Four. Dischon Thomas of Arizona. Dischon’s most recent game for Hillcrest Hoops? 17 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks against a 22U team from China. The one time Nevada commit has more heights listed online than I’ve ever seen but what is consistent is his rate of double-doubles. So quick off his feet to board, contest, and finish.
Five. Tyrek Chambers of Arizona. Bella Vista Prep guard that at one point had a final three schools of UNLV, New Mexico, and Utah State. Chambers, orginially from New York, hasn’t made a decision so expect schools to be watching his aggressive downhill basketball push throughout the winter.
Six. Emmanuel Tshimanga of Arizona. From April through August offers came to Tshimanga fairly steadily culminating with a visit to Dayton with his brother Jordy at the end of the summer. The 6-foot-10 center is at Bella Vista Prep pairing with Issanza to make one of the better prep frontlines in the nation.
Seven. Julius Marble of Texas. Marble is a 6-foot-8 post from Jesuit in Texas where he had a 21 point and 12 rebound game last weekend. Marble earned double figure D1 offers over the summer with Saint Louis, College of Charleston, and Louisiana Tech being the headliners.
Eight. Sam Freeman of Texas. Big bodied low post player that continues to develop into his giant frame. Freeman stands about 6-foot-10 and plays with CYM in the Dallas area. Minnesota offered in the early summer and tracked Freeman into July. Expect Freeman’s name to pop up again this winter for programs looking for size.
Nine. Nicolas Elame of Arizona. Elame is an athletic guard that loves to hound people defensively. Stands 6-foot-2 and took a visit to Tulane last month. Plays at a 100 percent push rate highlighted by a high level of intensity. Six D1 programs have offered.
Ten. Nigel Johns of Texas. Yet another big man for our list, Nigel Johns is 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds of shot blocking and tough to move big. Washington State had him on campus for a visit while Louisiana Tech and Auburn were a couple of the more recent schools to watch him at his school.
Best Available Per State
Texas: Julius Marble
Oklahoma: Ben Smith. A 6-foot-6 agile wing that found his niche defensively this summer using his length to deflect, swat, and contest. Offensively Smith did his work slashing to the basket using his length to complete.
New Mexico: Kameron Valencia. Valencia is a 6-foto-3 guard that took his team to the state semi-finals as a junior and was name first team all state in 17-18.
Arizona: Emmanuel Taban