Treasure Valley Classic: 17U Preview
The Treasure Valley Classic takes place from Wednesday through Saturday and some of the top club teams in the Pacific Northwest will be in Nampa, Idaho for the event including a few squads from the state of Oregon.
Here’s a quick look at the in-state teams competing in the 17U division. Please note that rosters are very much in flux at press time so some players may or may not be playing this week.
Oregon Prospects – A few guys off of this roster are fresh off of playing for the first time this summer in Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Future Legends Training Showcase. If healthy and present, Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge 6'7" | PF Jefferson | 2021 #228 Nation OR (2021 Jefferson) will highlight the squad. He showed in Las Vegas that he’s still elite with his rim protection and rebounding abilities. Luke Smith Luke Smith 6'3" | CG Willamette | 2021 State OR (2021 Willamette), a three-level socrer, will get to play some lead guard and adding punch on the wings will be Nathan Meithof Nathan Meithof 6'5" | SG McNary | 2021 State OR (2021 McNary) and the high-flying Elijah Munyan Elijah Munyan 6'3" | SG Gresham | 2021 State OR (2021 Gresham), and Jalen Adams Jalen Adams 6'2" | CG Jefferson | 2020 NV (2021 Jefferson) will spot up for threes. Dane Erikstrup Dane Erikstrup 6'10" | C Beaverton | 2021 State OR (2021 Beaverton) will man the paint but also hit from the outside and lean big man Kam Robinson (2021 Jefferson) may join the team as well.
Oregon Prospects South – The South squad for the Prospects will feature some guys who broke out as juniors. Josh Wart Josh Wart 6'6" | PF Amity | 2021 State OR (2021 Amity) is one of the biggest sleepers in the state and the 6-foot-6 forward is powerful, athletic, and able to operate inside and out. Isaiah Gilliam Isaiah Gilliam 6'2" | CG South Albany | 2021 State OR (2021 South Albany) is also a bit slept on. The 6-foot power guard can really get to the hoop and finish over bigger players. Nash Kuykendall Nash Kuykendall 6'4" | SF Sheldon | 2021 State OR (2021 Sheldon) is an athletic wing/forward that really runs the floor and finishes and Carson Molan Carson Molan 6'4" | SG Cascade | 2021 State OR (2021 Cascade) and Bennett Bos (2021 Salem Academy) are no-nonsense, high-motor guys who will make plays. Jasper Phipps (2021 South Salem) should contribute at both guard spots, as will Alex Newkirk (2021 Oregon City).
International Elite – The IElite crew comes in battle tested having played in three separate events against teams loaded with future Division I players, so they’ll be ready for anything that comes their way. Jonah Zeller Jonah Zeller 6'9" | C Catlin Gabel | 2021 State OR (2021 Catlin Gabel) has proven himself as one of the big men in the state as an elite shot-blocker, but has also been solid offensively. Kell Estep Kell Estep 6'4" | CG Sunset | 2021 State OR (2021 Sunset) has been the key guy to go out and get buckets and point guards Malik Rose (2022 Central Catholic) and Nate Mouzong Nate Mouzong 6'0" | CG Mountainside | 2021 State OR (2021 Mountainside) have run the offense. Cameron Andre-Covington Cameron Andre-Covington 6'9" | PF Columbia Christian | 2021 State OR (2021 Columbia Christian) has been a wildcard with his length and athleticism at 6-foot-9 and seniors Spencer Lanier Spencer Lanier 6'5" | SF Newberg | 2021 State OR (2021 Newberg) and Aidan Grady (2021 Westview) have done a lot of the little things. Athletic guard Joshua Woods (2022 Graham-Kapowsin) is a recent add to the roster and he raised some eyebrows in their last tournament in Kansas City.
Team Jones Oregon – The squad from Team Jones will be from the eastern part of Oregon and has some under the radar college prospects according to head coach Marcos Fuentes. Unsigned senior Pedro Chavez (2020 Nyssa) is a two-time all-state honoree who has scored over 1000 career points leads the way and juniors Keegan Glenn Keegan Glenn 6'2" | SF Union | 2021 State OR (2021 Union) and Leo Barba (2021 Nyssa) are the key players to watch.