The Border League Returns: Which Prep Superstars Showed Out The Most?
Anwar Stetson
The Border League began in 2020 as a way for coaches to arrange meaningful high school basketball matchups during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the league has grown as dozens of the top programs in the nation have come together for a weekend of great preseason hoops. This year’s class of Border League hoopers dominated the tournament in Las Vegas, and are heightening their profiles in prep hoops. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest stars to shine in 2025.
Tyran Stokes
We saw Tyran Stokes up close and personal on Friday when he took the field as a wide receiver for Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California. The number-one ranked boys’ hooper in the nation then high-tailed it straight from California to Las Vegas for the tournament, putting up big numbers less than a day after his football game. Stokes finished with 27 points and eight rebounds for Notre Dame against Dynamic Prep (Texas).
This awesome preview of the national high school hoops’ season is a great sign of things to come for the 6’7” forward originally from Louisville, Kentucky. Dozens of scouts and coaches attended the event to see the nation’s best player in action. Stokes has narrowed his top schools between Louisville, Kentucky, Oregon, USC, and Kansas. But it’s clear that those schools may not see Tyran very long, as his all-around game as a wing is perfect for today’s athletic NBA.
Aaliah Spaight
We’ve documented Aaliah Spaight’s rise from unknown to Most Valuable Player in just a few short months. Now, she’s continuing her meteoric rise at Border League. Spaight, a tiny Class of 2026 point guard, was ranked 77th in the nation by ESPN when she won the MVP of Mamba League back in August. Now her stock is rising.
She’s jumped 57 spots to secure a place in the top 20. Representing Bishop Gorman (Nev.), she dropped 26 points and eight rebounds in a Border League matchup with IE Eagles over the weekend. Spaight has committed to playing her college basketball at Texas, keeping the bright orange colors she rocks at Gorman. But no one shines brighter than this 5’7” shifty guard. We look forward to seeing her journey her final year at the prep level.
Kaleena Smith
Crowned Prep Network’s AAU Player of the Summer, point guard Kaleena “Special K” Smith, is another top prospect we’ve been following this entire year. Smith made waves as the first high school girls hooper to be signed by Adidas. The rising star was also the first signing by WNBA legend Candace Parker, the president of Adidas Women’s Basketball. Kaleena Smith added to her repertoire with awesome summer showcases this club season and represented the OC Knights in Border League this past weekend. Smith finished with 34 points in a highly touted matchup with GG Banks and St. James Academy (Va.). Her patented Harden-esque step-back wows crowds every game, just like her playmaking and scoring ability. Just a junior, Smith is becoming a household name across the nation. We’re hyped to see her at Ontario Christian High School (Calif.) this regular season.
Taylen Kinney
Mr. “6-7” himself, Taylen Kinney made a huge statement playing for Rod Wave Elite (RWE) at Border League.
Check out this massive one-handed slam from Kinney to start off the tournament. Kinney has become a household name for popularizing the 6-7 meme, but he’s still one of the best overall athletes in the nation. The Kansas commit is goofy and fun-loving off the court, but on the court, he’s a menace. He doesn’t shy away from contact or trash talk, barking at his opponents after sticking the landing.
Kinney recently tried to lure Tyran Stokes to Kansas with him. Can you imagine the 6’3” guard with big man power teaming up with the dual-sport star in Lawrence next year? What a scary sight. The two are both Kentucky natives and some of the best hoopers in the country, so it isn’t far-fetched to assume the two could become a collegiate super-duo. No matter who ends up joining him at KU, Kinney is a force to be reckoned with on his own. He’ll continue to shine at Overtime Elite (Ga.) this school year as one of the best point guards with major vertical air time in the nation.