Les Schwab Invitational Preview: Out of State Players To Watch
The Les Schwab Invitational is considered one of the most prestigious holiday high school basketball tournaments in the nation. This year will mark the 24th anniversary of the tournament, and it once again will feature the type of likely future…
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Continue ReadingThe Les Schwab Invitational is considered one of the most prestigious holiday high school basketball tournaments in the nation. This year will mark the 24th anniversary of the tournament, and it once again will feature the type of likely future college and NBA stars the LSI has been accustomed to showcasing for more than two decades. In this article, PH takes a look at some of the top out of state players participating in this event.
JT Thor 6’10 SF Norcross 2020 – There will be a lot of head patting this weekend. Thor is an elite run and jump athlete. The slender lefty is explosive in transition and can stretch the defense. If you need rim protection, Thor is happy to oblige. Fast-twitch athlete with an explosive second jump, he currently holds offers from Georgia, Oklahoma St, UCLA, and Kansas.
Nolan Hickman 6’1 PG Eastside Catholic 2021 (#4PHW 2021) – The last time I saw Hickman he was running a P&R clinic at the fantastic 40 last August. One of the purest PG’s in the class of 2021, Hickman brings a loaded undefeated Eastside Catholic squad to the LSI. Hickman is adept at scoring creating, and as mentioned before is a wizard with ball screens. Eastside Catholic will take on the defending 5A champs Wilsonville in the first round.
Devin Askew 6’4 PG Mater Dei 2021 (#2PHSC 2021) – This is one of the great perks of this job. I was fortunate to see the Kentucky commit last week at the Tarkanian Classic. Less than 7 days later I get to see him again. Big time competitor, Askew is a playmaker and creator, that sets up teammates for easy shots. He has an oversized frame for a PG, which allows him to bully smaller guards once he gets into the paint. Mater Dei opens up with perennial Oregon powerhouse Jesuit.
Will McClendon 6’4 SG Bishop Gorman 2021 (#3PHN 2021) – I’m excited to see McClendon on this stage. Sometimes you can tell when it has clicked for a player, and it seems to have clicked for McClendon. Last week at the Tarkanian Classic he laid to rest any notion that he is only a shooter. McClendon was the best player on the floor most games last week, and probably takes home MVP honors if Gorman wins the title. He leads a short-handed Gorman team against Lake Oswego in the first round.
Zaon “Sauce” Collins 6’1 PG Bishop Gorman 2021 (#2PHN 2021) – “Sauce” will also be called upon to pick up the production slack for the 8 time defending Nevada 4A State Champs. A lightning-quick PG, with an array of breakdown moves, Collins can get paint touches and do damage with his passing. As mentioned before, an anticipated matchup between he and Nolan Hickman is on my Christmas wish list.
M’Wani Wilkinson 6’6 SF Bishop Gorman 2020 (#4PHN 2020) – Wilkinson is a treat to watch. The Pogo stick athlete is a versatile defender and an elite rebounder on both the offensive and defensive end. One of the few players that can defend all five positions at the prep level. Wilkinson is a high flyer that is going to have to serve as the primary post threat and interior defender if the Gales are to advance.
Kaden Perry 6’9 PF Battle Ground 2021 (#2PHW 2021) – The physical post man will lead Battle Ground into… well Battle. A superb athlete Perry mans the middle. He is a rim protector and shot blocker on the defensive end. On the offensive end, the big man displays soft hands and attacks the rim with reckless abandon. Perry has already signed to play at Gonzaga.