In the latest edition of 'P.I. Pulse,' Rookie Scale's Jon Chepkevich partnered with Pro Insight to cover Flyin’ to the Hoop’s Top Gun Showcase in Vandalia, Ohio — highlighting the event’s top performers:
Last year I made the trek out to greater Dayton to scout the 2021 Top Gun Showcase, evaluating the likes of TyTy Washington, Emoni Bates, and DaRon Holmes. This year, I couldn’t have been more thrilled to be back with the opportunity to scout yet another talented group of future collegiate and professional stars.
Without further ado, let’s dive in.
Senior Standouts
Tarris Reed, Jr.
Link Academy | 6’10” | Big | 2022 (Michigan)
The soon-to-be Wolverine put his 7’5” wingspan and sturdy 266-pound frame to good use as an absolute force in the paint for Link, and was ultimately my choice for the event’s Most Valuable Player.
“Moose” finished second in the event with 35.9 PTS/40 and 15.9 REB/40 and these stats don’t even do him justice. While his paint dominance was unrivaled, I was also impressed with his ability to react quickly, get out into passing lanes, and create easy transition opportunities.
Reed is the real deal, and I can’t wait to watch Moose get loose in Ann Arbor.
Jared Frey
6’4 ½” | ISA Academy | Guard | 2022 (Undecided)
Frey went nuclear to the tune of 30.0 PPG on a blistering 83.7 TS% in one of the more impressive shooting displays I’ve witnessed in person.
He had the confidence to pull up from anywhere…I mean, literally ANYWHERE. If Frey was across half-court, it was fair game. Frey went 13-of-23 from three, most of which came off-the-dribble from beyond the volleyball line.
While shooting is certainly his calling card, Frey is more than a one-trick pony shooting specialist. He also showed some creativity and vision as a live-dribble passer off of secondary pick-and-rolls, diming his teammates up with 9 assists over the course of two games.
Frey showed that he’s one of the best shooters in the class of 2022 and shouldn’t be a secret much longer.
Mike Sharavjamts
6’7 ¾” | ISA Academy | Wing | 2022 (Dayton)
“Mongolian Mike” is a bona fide stud and one of the sharpest-rising prospects in the nation. After being named the Adidas 3SSB Breakout Player of the Year, Sharavjamts has kept the pedal to the medal and is showing no signs of slowing down. This time, he got to showcase his talent in front of a large contingent of Flyers fans in what was surely an encouraging first live viewing experience.
From the get-go it was apparent that Mike was one of the most talented players at the event. He’s a smooth operator with the ball in his hands, functioning as a point-forward of sorts, and dicing up opposing defenses with creative confidence.
Sharavjamts averaged 15.0 PTS, 6.0 REB, and 4.5 AST while knocking down 7-of-13 threes (including an outrageous Steph Curry-esque run-back-on-defense while the ball was still in the air). While he ended up turning it over 12 times (second most at the event), the majority of these turnovers stemmed from creative exploration as a jumbo initiator. These were aggressive turnovers more so than making mistakes on routine reads.
Mike is legit and is must-watch television when the Nike Hoop Summit rolls around on Friday April 8th, and very well may have an NBA future.
Damien Mayo, Jr.
6’3” | Link Academy | Guard | 2022 (Undecided)
Mayo is the unsung hero on an absolutely loaded Link Academy roster. While he lies somewhat in the shadows from a recruiting standpoint as compared to his five-star McDonald’s All-American teammates, the immense value that he provides as a glue guy on both ends should not go unrecognized.
Mayo, a consummate teammate, consistently covered up for teammates’ mistakes, made the right rotations, and kept the ball moving throughout the course of Link’s two victories. While much of this dirty work often goes unnoticed, Mayo did have one of the most eye-popping plays of the event:
In fact, Mayo finished third in the event with 2.9 BLK/40 standing 7-8” smaller than those ranked first and second.
Missouri State and Pepperdine certainly took note of Mayo’s play, offering him shortly following the conclusion of the showcase.
Expect more offers to come. The program that ultimately lands Mayo is getting an absolute steal.
Amaree Abram
6’3” | SoCal Academy | Guard | 2022 (Ole Miss)
While the jumper simply wasn’t falling (0-for-8 from three), Abram still stood out as one of the top players at the event. He finished second overall behind only Frey with a 12.2 C-RAM while leading the event in both steals and assists.
What Abram lacked in perimeter shooting, he more than made up for with his ability to create advantages, get downhill, then use his physicality to bump defenders off their spots and create space to finish. Abram showed great touch both at the rim and on floaters as he sliced and diced his way through the paint.
SoCal Academy was missing a couple of their top players and Abram proved to be a more-than-capable offensive engine in their absence. Ole Miss got a good one.
Jordan Walsh
6’8” | Link Academy | Wing | 2022 (Arkansas)
Let’s start with the bad…Walsh turned the ball over 14 times in two games. Some you can live with as an inevitable function of his aggressive style of play, but others were very much unforced and avoidable by simply cleaning things up a bit and making smarter decisions.
Now, on to the good…this dude brings it. That’s what makes him special. He’s not a highly-touted star who coasts through games on sheer natural talent, but one who gives his all each and every second he’s on the court. Sure, being a freakish athlete at 6’8” with a 7’3” wingspan helps, but many a talent have gone by the wayside because they lack will, engagement, and heart. Walsh brings each of those in spades.
Turnovers aside, Walsh had a productive weekend averaging 14.0 PTS, 5.5 REB, 3.0 AST, and 3.0 STL while making an absolute living at the free throw line (17-for-18, 94.4%).
Walsh will fit right in on the Muss Bus, which is now overloaded with talent.
Yann Farell
6’7” | Keystone Academy | Wing | 2022 (Undecided)
Farell is your prototypical 3-and-D swingman with a 6’11” wingspan and an improved shooting stroke. While he wasn’t necessarily a stock (STL+BLK) monster at this event, it was apparent that his length consistently made life difficult for the opposition.
Switchable, multi-positional, defensive-oriented wings of this caliber aren’t often on the market this late in the game. Farell’s recruitment is certainly one to monitor.
Honorable Mentions
Cruz Davis | Huntington Prep (Undecided)
Jaxon Kohler | SoCal Academy (Michigan State)
Adrame Diongue | AZ Compass Prep (Undecided)
Dok Muordar | Huntington Prep (Undecided)
Aboubacar Cissé | Hillcrest Prep (Undecided)
Jaylen Thompson | SoCal Academy (Stanford)
Underclassmen
Lathan Sommerville
6’9” | The Skill Factory | Big | 2024 (Undecided)
I scouted Sommerville this past summer while he was playing with MeanStreets at Chicago Summer Jam and have to say I’m quite impressed with the strides he’s made.
While he fulfills more of a traditional big man archetype, he did so exceptionally well in both of TSF’s Top Gun tilts. Sommerville was one of only four players to get to the line 10+ times, knocking down 11 of his 12 free throw attempts. Sommerville made a living in the paint, leveraging his wide 245-pound frame to his advantage. While he faded away a few more times than you’d like, all-in-all he did major damage on the interior against high-level competition as a young sophomore.
Sommerville also knocked down his lone three point attempt and showed signs throughout warm-ups that he may be capable of growing into a viable stretch big down the line.
I’ll be very interested to track Sommerville’s development over the next two years.
Maki Johnson
6’3 ½” | Huntington Prep | Wing | 2023 (Undecided)
Johnson’s stock soared this past summer as a standout for Wildcat Select on the 3SSB circuit and, despite having his skeptics, put together a strong showing at Top Gun. Johnson’s 8.7 C-RAM was the highest mark among underclassmen.
Johnson is known as a sharp-shooter, which was on display in quick spurts en route shooting 40.0% from three on 15 attempts, but what really stood out was his decision-making. Johnson’s 6.0 AST/TO ratio was, by far, the top mark of the event.
If he can continue to hone his handling and passing craft to the point of being able to viably function as a part-time lead facilitator, it would go a long way in solidifying his avenues to success if he is to commit to one of his high-major blue blood suitors.
Kaden Cooper
6’5 ½” | The Skill Factory | Wing | 2023 (Undecided)
Cooper was, perhaps, the freakiest raw athlete at this event. While there’s still plenty to work on from a ball skills standpoint, the tools are undeniable. Cooper is a pogo-stick athlete with a self-proclaimed 44” vertical (if it’s not, it’s close), a near 7-foot wingspan, and shredded frame. He looked like an All-Pro receiver flying through the air to snatch high-point rebounds and throw down thunderous dunks.
Cooper averaged a double-double to go along with 3 steals per game… a really productive weekend that almost certainly opened the eyes of onlooking college coaches.
Kylan Boswell
6’2” | AZ Compass Prep | Guard | 2023 (Arizona)
Boswell committed to Arizona a mere two weeks prior to Top Gun and is now considered a five-star borderline top-10 prospect in his class.
Boswell had his moments where he filled the shoes of TyTy Washington as AZ Compass Prep’s high IQ lead facilitator who controls the pace and flow of the game. He also showed impressive body control in transition and knocked down a nasty off-the-dribble three when his team really needed it.
While it may not have been his overall strongest showing, it was easy to see why Boswell is so highly regarded. I’m bullish on his trajectory and think he has a bright future ahead in Tucson.
Jason Asemota
6’8” | Hillcrest Prep | Wing | 2024 (Undecided)
The context was strange for Asemota at this event. Hillcrest only brought three of their regularly rostered players and were accompanied by a seemingly random assortment of local players in one-event fill-ins. As such, Asemota was tasked with a heavy offensive burden and his efficiency took a hit, accordingly.
Despite this, it was evident that Asemota is a supremely talented natural scorer.
Asemota finished as the event’s third leading scorer behind Frey and Reed, notching 20.0 PPG.
His five stars and blue blood offers seem to be warranted. Really high upside.
Honorable Mentions
Omaha Billiew | Link Academy ‘23
Malachi Wright | Hillcrest Prep ‘23
Dellquan Warren | Link Academy ‘24
Rodrigo Farias | The Skill Factory ‘24
Anthony Finkley | Huntington Prep ‘23
It’s safe to say that Top Gun was, yet again, a spectacular showcase of some of the nation’s top prep teams and individual talent. Nearly every game was well-coached and highly competitive throughout. Special thanks to Eric Horstman for organizing a top-notch event.
Until next time!
All statistics provided by our partners at Cerebro Sports.
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