Breakout performers at the Tarkanian Classic

Las Vegas, Nevada – Teams from across the country descended on Las Vegas to play in the Tarkanian Classic High School. With numerous nationally ranked players participating, this is a prime stage for players to break out, and they did.

On3s Jamie Shaw was in the building for the Tarkanian Classic, and here are some of the breakout players to earmark and start tracking their progression at the highest level.

6-9 F Sebastian Rancik

Iowa State fans may recognize the Rancik name. Sebastian Rancik’s dad, Martin Rancik, played for the Cyclones from 97-01. Sebastian is a skilled forward, listed at 6-foot-9. His passing jumps off the page immediately. He would line up at numerous spaces across the floor, and the team would run actions off him. He is a good shooter and a good straight-line athlete, and he has some toughness in his game.

Rancik is flying under the radar for a couple of reasons. First, he goes back home to Slovakia during the summer to train and play with his national team. Secondly, this is his first year as a starter at San Juan Capistrano (CA) JSerra Catholic. There is a lot to like here.

6-10 C Ethan Lathan

Bigs sometimes need a little more time to develop. In the case of Fort Lauderdale (FL) Calvary Christian junior Ethan Lathan, have patience. Standing around 6-foot-10, he moves in a way many his size do not. Defensively, you would see him sitting on a guard on possession, then throwing a shot attempt into the third row the next possession.

The has good hands and is not afraid to battle on the block. The offensive game is raw at this point. He will need to develop something on the block, maybe step out and stretch the floor some. He is a work in progress; however, the base tools are high level, and the upside is something to pay close attention to how he develops.

6-8 F Jadyn Toppin (New Mexico)

Jadyn Toppin got so much done on the floor. He is incredibly efficient on offense, knowing and understanding his game and how he scores. He also was a terror on the defensive end. As a quick-twitch, long-armed 6-foot-8 forward, Toppin finished with a handful of steals and numerous blocked shots.

Offensively, Toppin lined up on the right block, and his quick jump consistently got him open looks. He will need to add weight, but Toppin affects the game on both ends of the floor and is a tough matchup. Toppin is 210 and carries a 7-foot-0 wing span.

6-8 F Jaxon Johnson

Jaxon Johnson is a skilled forward at Sandy (UT) Ulta High. He was blessed with an excellent frame, long arms, and wide-set shoulders; he should be weight on the second he enters a college weight program.

Johnson’s game is versatile. He toggled between playing at the mid and high post and a full-on wing. Johnson has a smooth jumper, both off the catch and off the bounce. He was able to score within two dribbles and was an excellent off-ball cutter. There was some interesting production. Stanford was his most recent offer a couple of weeks ago, and that was his first high major. There is a lot of intrigue there.