City Rankings: PDX Metro (East) – Top 10
We’re here to answer the question of, “Who are the 10 best prospects in the Portland area?” What are the stipulations? Well since the fact is that the PDX Metro area is rather large and full of prospects, we decided…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWe’re here to answer the question of, “Who are the 10 best prospects in the Portland area?”
What are the stipulations? Well since the fact is that the PDX Metro area is rather large and full of prospects, we decided to split it in two – East and West, with the Willamette River the line of demarcation. So starting with the East, regardless of class and regardless of positions, what are the top 10?
#1 – Marquis Cook Marquis Cook 6'6" | SF AZ Compass Prep | 2023 State #6 Nation AZ (2023 Jefferson)
Cook had a fantastic high school debut for Jefferson, stepping right into the starting lineup and making an instant impact. Statistically speaking, the numbers of the 6-foot-6 swingman weren’t necessarily eye-popping but it speaks more to the depth and balance of the Demos than anything Cook did or didn’t do. Nevertheless what makes Cook the #1 prospect in PDX Metro East is the fact the do-it-all player hasn’t even started to scratch the surface of his immense potential. He’s long, athletic, skilled, and the best is yet to come for one of the top players in his class in the entire country.
#2 – Ben Gregg Ben Gregg 6'8" | SF Clackamas | 2021 #50 Nation OR (2021 Clackamas)
The step up to 2A was no sweat for Gregg who adjusted to the higher level of competition with ease. In fact, his game really didn’t change all that much as he continued to exhibit the inside-outside game he’s known for. At 6-foot-8 he was a load to handle both in the paint and out past the arc with his sweet shooting stroke. The Gatorade State Player of the Year and most highly recruited player in the Class of 2021 in the entire PDX metro area, Gregg recently picked up an offer from Virginia Tech to go along with the heavy Pac-12 interest he has been getting.
#3 – Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge 6'7" | PF Jefferson | 2021 #228 Nation OR (2021 Jefferson)
Rawlins-Kibonge came away with the Oregonian 6A State Player of the Year honors and for good reason – he was dominant on both sides of the ball for arguably the best team in the state. In addition to leading the state in rebounding and blocked shots, the 6-foot-7 post showed great improvement with his offensive game and with Jefferson’s depth, he didn’t have to carry the scoring load at all. While he maintains he’s a Washington State basketball commitment, the college football offers continue to pour in and what he eventually decides to do will certainly include the gridiron don’t discount what factor hoops plays.
#4 – Kamron Robinson Kamron Robinson 6'8" | C Jefferson | 2020 NV (2021 Jefferson)
Jefferson’s other big man, Robinson might have been the top sixth man in the state as he often came off of the bench for Jefferson. The 6-foot-9 post has solid moves inside, a soft touch on his shot, and the natural ability to follow up his own misses for offensive rebound putbacks. Robinson has made great strides with his body and conditioning and has proven that he can maintain it in order to play more consistent minutes. He’s garnered Division I offers from the Big Sky and WCC and more schools continue to monitor his progress.
#5 – Darius Gakwasi Darius Gakwasi 6'5" | SG Central Catholic | 2021 State OR (2021 Central Catholic)
A Second Team 6A All-State honoree, Gakwasi has proven himself as one of the most versatile and skilled perimeter players in the state. At 6-foot-5, he can score at all three levels, handle and pass the ball at a high level, and defend multiple positions. Similar to the guys at Jefferson, Gakwasi’s numbers weren’t necessarily eye-popping but he played on a very talented and deep squad that very much highlighted team play. He’s another guy who has generated plenty of Division I recruiting interest.
#6 – Lamar Washington Lamar Washington 6'4" | CG AZ Compass Prep | 2022 State #128 Nation AZ (2022 Jefferson)
Our top ranked player in the Class of 2022 in the entire state lands here in the PDX Metro East rankings. Washington is another versatile performer on the offensive end, able to spot up for deep threes or use his strong body to blow by defenders and finish at the rim. Where the 6-foot-4 “point wing” also excels is defensively where he uses his quick hands and anticipation skills to create turnovers. The only question with Washington is how much college football has started to come into the picture in his recruitment.
#7 – Damontae Burns Damontae Burns 6'1" | CG Parkrose | 2021 State OR (2021 Parkrose)
After contemplating transferring after his sophomore season, Burns decided to return to Parkrose and he rightfully assumed the role of leading man. The 6-foot-1 combo guard effectively played both backcourt positions, capably displaying his ability to score while also focusing on setting up his teammates for scores. A tremendous athlete, Burns can really get loose on the break and finish at the rim. Division I schools have been showing interest for quite some time.
#8 – Keshawn Hall Keshawn Hall 6'0" | PG Lake Oswego | 2021 OR (2021 Jefferson)
Hall moved to Portland from Las Vegas but wasn’t completely fresh as he had been playing in the Rose City Rebels AAU program for a couple of years. He fit in well with Jefferson’s returning core and was a starter in the backcourt. The 6-foot guard can really create and finish off the dribble and he proved himself as a perimeter shooter by knocking down catch-and-shoot spot-up threes. A hard worker on defense, Hall has started to generate buzz among Division I schools.
#9 – Luke Johnson Luke Johnson 6'8" | PF Central Catholic | 2022 WV (2022 Central Catholic)
One of the guys in the Portland Metro area with perhaps the most upside, Johnson made huge strides as a sophomore. He burst into the starting lineup at Central Catholic and quickly became the go-to guy in the post. The 6-foot-8 forward runs the floor extremely well, finishes in transition, and can face up and knock down mid-range jumpers. Johnson is fearless in the paint and plays with toughness. The key question for Johnson is whether the gridiron will capture his attention as he’s a quarterback in the Rams football program.
#10 – Adrian Mosley Adrian Mosley 6'2" | SF West Linn | 2023 State #269 Nation OR (2023 Grant)
Our final member of the Top Ten of PDX Metro East is Mosley, who certainly stepped into the spotlight at Grant. A jack-of-all-trades type player at 6-foot-2, he contributed across the board in every category for the Generals. Mosley is at his best creating off the dribble where he can best utilize his ball skills. He also has some old school moves in his arsenal where he backs down smaller players in the post. How his game continues to evolve will be no doubt fun to watch.