Entries
2017 Flo40 #1 Michael Porter Jr.
6-foot-9 Forward
Nathan Hale High School (WA) -- Committed to University of Washington
Each year, the Les Schwab Invitational hosts elite teams and individual talent and 2016 is no exception. Michael Porter Jr. is the top-ranked player in the country and enters the LSI averaging over 35 points and 20 rebounds per game. Porter Jr. is an elite scorer with the ability to play above the rim, shoot threes at a good percentage and is the most dominant high school player in recent memory from the elbow/pinch post. Look for Nathan Hale head coach Brandon Roy (yes -- that Brandon Roy) to let Porter Jr. operate in space and run pro-style sets, allowing him to get quick duck-ins or isolation opportunities. Porter Jr., a projected top five pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, just recently moved to Seattle and enrolled at Nathan Hale after his father accepted an assistant coaching position at the University of Washington.
2018 Flo40 #1 Marvin Bagley III
6-10 Forward
Sierra Canyon High School (CA) -- Undecided
Bagley III leads Sierra Canyon and will put on a show at the LSI. Opponents will have their hands full keeping Bagley off the glass and off of the rim, who is a monster in transition and in the half court. Bagley sat out all of his sophomore season after transferring to Sierra Canyon and is eager to show the country he is hungry and poised for the national spotlight. Bagley's recruiting is down to six schools -- including the University of Oregon -- so look for Dana Altman and staff to make their presence felt at the LSI.
2017 Flo40 #40 Daejon "Jon Jon" Davis
6-4 Guard
Garfield High School (WA) -- University of Washington
Davis is an elite athlete who made his presence felt at the LSI last year with a number of above-the-rim finishes and blocks in transition. The University of Washington commit may be best suited to play point guard at the next level and has assumed primary ball-handling responsibilities for the first time in his prep career this season for the Bulldogs. Davis is a tremendous rebounder (18 rebounds in the first round of last year's LSI), can defend either guard position, and does a great job playing the passing lanes.
Jaylen Nowell
6-4 Guard
Garfield High School (WA) -- University of Washington
Nowell is one of the top shot-makers in the 2017 class. He plays at his own pace and is smooth coming off of ball screens, pin downs, or in dribble handoffs. An elite mid-range shooter, Nowell's game is much more polished than most high school players. Nowell was a member of the United States' U-16 gold medal team at the FIBA Americas Championships in 2015. To reach his full potential Nowell will need to develop a consistent three-point shot and become an elite on-ball defender capable of defending both guard positions. Nowell is will join backcourt mate and friend Jon Jon Davis at the University of Washington next fall.
Chris Lykes
5-6 Guard
Gonzaga College High School (DC) -- University of Miami
Lykes is one of the most exciting players to watch in the country. The relentless 5-6 guard from Washington D.C., is a world-class athlete with a lightning-quick first step. A threat to win the Express Employment Professionals Dunk contest on Thursday afternoon, Lykes will likely become a fan favorite over the tournament's four days (similar to DeMond "Tweety" Carter in 2005).
2017 Flo40 #31 Cody Riley
6-9 Forward
Sierra Canyon High School (CA) -- UCLA
Riley will be a matchup problem for the majority of the teams in the LSI field. A wide-shouldered physical specimen at the prep level, Riley will punish interior defenders and use his size and strength to dominate the glass. The future UCLA Bruin will provide some awesome highlights throughout the LSI.
MORE PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Remy Martin (6-0 Point Guard Sierra Canyon – Arizona State) Martin is a ‘push the tempo’ guard who can really score and play make in transition. He has proven adept at running the show for the Trailblazers mixing in his ability to score and get his elite big men the ball in scoring opportunities. If Martin is on his game, the trio of him, Riley and Bagley is as formidable as any in the country.
Adam Seiko (6-3 Guard Sierra Canyon – San Diego State) – The future Aztec is a physically mature guard who embraces his role for Head Coach Ty Nichols. Seiko looks to involve his bigs and doesn’t try and force the issue offensively. Seiko often finds ways to impact the game without scoring and will guard the other teams best perimeter player.
Elijah Gonzales (5’9 Point Guard Clackamas High School – Portland State University) Gonzales is the unquestioned leader of the reigning Mt. Hood Conference Champions. Out of any guard in Oregon, Gonzalez has the best ability to get into the paint and breakdown the opponents defense. What he lacks in size he makes up for in his toughness on the court and diligent work ethic off of it. The returning League Player of the Year and 1st team All-State selection is poised for a very strong senior campaign and will likely lead the state in scoring.
Geno West (6-2 Guard Jefferson High School – Undecided) West will play in his fourth LSI having been a member of the Democrats Varsity roster since he was a freshmen. The reigning PIL Player of the Year and 1st Team All-State selection is one of the key weapons for the loaded Demos. Look for West to use his quick first step and will to score to dominate stretches of the game during the LSI.
Hunter Sweet (6-4 Forward Beaverton High School – Concordia) Sweet, the Concordia University commit (Division II) returns as Metro League Player of the Year and 1st team All-State selection (6A). Sweet is an incredible competitor, who plays with a motor and is very skilled at finishing around the basket. Expect the 6-4 forward to keep Beaverton in the race for another Metro League title this season.
Khalid Thomas (6-7 Forward West Linn High School – Undecided) Thomas will play in his first LSI after being sidelined in 2014 as a member of the South Salem Saxons. The reigning Greater Valley Conference Player of the Year has all of the tools to have a great senior season for his new squad and is on pace to lead them in scoring and rebounding. Thomas will likely attend junior college in the fall but is unquestionably a Division 1 talent.
Spencer Hoffman (6’9 Center Churchill High School – Undecided) Hoffman is a true big man with a soft touch (80%+ FT) and desire to win. As a junior Hoffman was the Co-Player of the year in the Midwestern League and a 2nd team All-State selection. Hoffman has transferred to Churchill teaming up with longtime friend Lucas Wilson - in the hopes of making a deep run in the 5A State Playoffs.
6-foot-9 Forward
Nathan Hale High School (WA) -- Committed to University of Washington
Each year, the Les Schwab Invitational hosts elite teams and individual talent and 2016 is no exception. Michael Porter Jr. is the top-ranked player in the country and enters the LSI averaging over 35 points and 20 rebounds per game. Porter Jr. is an elite scorer with the ability to play above the rim, shoot threes at a good percentage and is the most dominant high school player in recent memory from the elbow/pinch post. Look for Nathan Hale head coach Brandon Roy (yes -- that Brandon Roy) to let Porter Jr. operate in space and run pro-style sets, allowing him to get quick duck-ins or isolation opportunities. Porter Jr., a projected top five pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, just recently moved to Seattle and enrolled at Nathan Hale after his father accepted an assistant coaching position at the University of Washington.
2018 Flo40 #1 Marvin Bagley III
6-10 Forward
Sierra Canyon High School (CA) -- Undecided
Bagley III leads Sierra Canyon and will put on a show at the LSI. Opponents will have their hands full keeping Bagley off the glass and off of the rim, who is a monster in transition and in the half court. Bagley sat out all of his sophomore season after transferring to Sierra Canyon and is eager to show the country he is hungry and poised for the national spotlight. Bagley's recruiting is down to six schools -- including the University of Oregon -- so look for Dana Altman and staff to make their presence felt at the LSI.
2017 Flo40 #40 Daejon "Jon Jon" Davis
6-4 Guard
Garfield High School (WA) -- University of Washington
Davis is an elite athlete who made his presence felt at the LSI last year with a number of above-the-rim finishes and blocks in transition. The University of Washington commit may be best suited to play point guard at the next level and has assumed primary ball-handling responsibilities for the first time in his prep career this season for the Bulldogs. Davis is a tremendous rebounder (18 rebounds in the first round of last year's LSI), can defend either guard position, and does a great job playing the passing lanes.
Jaylen Nowell
6-4 Guard
Garfield High School (WA) -- University of Washington
Nowell is one of the top shot-makers in the 2017 class. He plays at his own pace and is smooth coming off of ball screens, pin downs, or in dribble handoffs. An elite mid-range shooter, Nowell's game is much more polished than most high school players. Nowell was a member of the United States' U-16 gold medal team at the FIBA Americas Championships in 2015. To reach his full potential Nowell will need to develop a consistent three-point shot and become an elite on-ball defender capable of defending both guard positions. Nowell is will join backcourt mate and friend Jon Jon Davis at the University of Washington next fall.
Chris Lykes
5-6 Guard
Gonzaga College High School (DC) -- University of Miami
Lykes is one of the most exciting players to watch in the country. The relentless 5-6 guard from Washington D.C., is a world-class athlete with a lightning-quick first step. A threat to win the Express Employment Professionals Dunk contest on Thursday afternoon, Lykes will likely become a fan favorite over the tournament's four days (similar to DeMond "Tweety" Carter in 2005).
2017 Flo40 #31 Cody Riley
6-9 Forward
Sierra Canyon High School (CA) -- UCLA
Riley will be a matchup problem for the majority of the teams in the LSI field. A wide-shouldered physical specimen at the prep level, Riley will punish interior defenders and use his size and strength to dominate the glass. The future UCLA Bruin will provide some awesome highlights throughout the LSI.
MORE PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Remy Martin (6-0 Point Guard Sierra Canyon – Arizona State) Martin is a ‘push the tempo’ guard who can really score and play make in transition. He has proven adept at running the show for the Trailblazers mixing in his ability to score and get his elite big men the ball in scoring opportunities. If Martin is on his game, the trio of him, Riley and Bagley is as formidable as any in the country.
Adam Seiko (6-3 Guard Sierra Canyon – San Diego State) – The future Aztec is a physically mature guard who embraces his role for Head Coach Ty Nichols. Seiko looks to involve his bigs and doesn’t try and force the issue offensively. Seiko often finds ways to impact the game without scoring and will guard the other teams best perimeter player.
Elijah Gonzales (5’9 Point Guard Clackamas High School – Portland State University) Gonzales is the unquestioned leader of the reigning Mt. Hood Conference Champions. Out of any guard in Oregon, Gonzalez has the best ability to get into the paint and breakdown the opponents defense. What he lacks in size he makes up for in his toughness on the court and diligent work ethic off of it. The returning League Player of the Year and 1st team All-State selection is poised for a very strong senior campaign and will likely lead the state in scoring.
Geno West (6-2 Guard Jefferson High School – Undecided) West will play in his fourth LSI having been a member of the Democrats Varsity roster since he was a freshmen. The reigning PIL Player of the Year and 1st Team All-State selection is one of the key weapons for the loaded Demos. Look for West to use his quick first step and will to score to dominate stretches of the game during the LSI.
Hunter Sweet (6-4 Forward Beaverton High School – Concordia) Sweet, the Concordia University commit (Division II) returns as Metro League Player of the Year and 1st team All-State selection (6A). Sweet is an incredible competitor, who plays with a motor and is very skilled at finishing around the basket. Expect the 6-4 forward to keep Beaverton in the race for another Metro League title this season.
Khalid Thomas (6-7 Forward West Linn High School – Undecided) Thomas will play in his first LSI after being sidelined in 2014 as a member of the South Salem Saxons. The reigning Greater Valley Conference Player of the Year has all of the tools to have a great senior season for his new squad and is on pace to lead them in scoring and rebounding. Thomas will likely attend junior college in the fall but is unquestionably a Division 1 talent.
Spencer Hoffman (6’9 Center Churchill High School – Undecided) Hoffman is a true big man with a soft touch (80%+ FT) and desire to win. As a junior Hoffman was the Co-Player of the year in the Midwestern League and a 2nd team All-State selection. Hoffman has transferred to Churchill teaming up with longtime friend Lucas Wilson - in the hopes of making a deep run in the 5A State Playoffs.