In the latest edition of ‘P.I. Pulse’, Pro Insight’s Michael Visenberg and Conrad Chow highlight some stock-risers from Border League after spending a long weekend evaluating live in Las Vegas, Nevada:
The 2023 Border League games held at Bishop Gorman High School (NV) featured some of the most well-known and intriguing prospects in the country, including Cooper Flagg of Montverde Academy (FL), AJ Dybantsa and Tyran Stokes of Prolific Prep (CA) and Cameron Boozer of Christopher Columbus (FL). Beyond some of these more firmly-established names, there were also plenty of noteworthy performers in both of the brackets our staff covered, ‘Top Flight Invite’ and ‘Super 16.’ For the purpose of this article, we wanted to highlight a handful of those players who we felt significantly raised their stock throughout the three-day event. Although some of these prospects already held high major offers (one is even already committed), their play at Border League should certainly cause college coaches to pay closer attention, moving forward.
Stock-Risers
Justin Pippen
2024 | 6’3” Guard | Sierra Canyon School (CA)
Sierra Canyon has had a long list of notable basketball alumni in the past six years including Marvin Bagley III, Amari Bailey, Brandon Boston, Jr., Kenyon Martin, Jr., Ziaire Williams, Cassius Stanley, Bronny and Bryce James, and Scotty Pippen, Jr. For those who are not familiar, senior guard Justin Pippen is the youngest son of Scottie Pippen and Larsa Pippen. A mainstay with the program, the unsigned senior helped himself by leading CBC (Sierra Canyon’s club name) to a 3-0 record in the Super 16 division. Throughout the weekend, Pippen flashed his pace, ball skills and shooting prowess as a lead guard. He routinely got to his spots on offense and made plays at multiple levels. He has quick hands on D and the capability to match up with both backcourt spots, offering some versatility. Pippen has really improved his floor game over the past year and his confidence appears to be at an all-time high. Surprisingly under-recruited up to this point, Pippen should become a priority target for more programs as the season progresses.
Malik Abdullahi
2024 | 6’7” Forward | Christopher Columbus HS (FL) *Princeton commit
The level of athleticism, activity and overall ground coverage from Malik Abdullahi is quite impressive. He recently committed to Princeton and projects as a potential immediate impact player, as he contributes on the boards, runs the floor hard in transition and offers switchability as a defender. He can guard up the line-up as well, and even with his struggles against the size of Montverde, players with his athleticism/physical tools tend to wind up at P5 programs. Though he still has strides to make as a range shooter, the physical strength, plus-athleticism, outstanding motor, and defensive approach should make him a force in the Ivy League sooner rather than later.
Luke Bamgboye
2024 | 6’10” Big | AZ Compass Prep (AZ)
Despite missing several months earlier this year with an injury, Luke Bamgboye’s movement on both ends of the floor remains rare at his size and a differentiator for him. The London native could benefit from adding some functional strength, but still manages to make a big impact with his quickness off the floor, rim running, rebounding motor, and ability to defend multiple positions. He keeps possessions alive and finishes above the rim effortlessly. He possesses timing as a rim protector, an ability to cut off penetration and redirect drives and and gives great overall effort effort on defense. One has to wonder that if Luke had not been affected by injuries just how many schools would be involved with the 6’10” big who can run the floor like a guard, finish above the rim and keep plays alive with the best of them.
Angelino Mark
2025 | 6’2” Guard | Notre Dame HS (Sherman Oaks, CA)
There are definitely college programs that already know Angelino Mark well at this point, and with the eyes that Notre Dame should draw with both Mercy Miller and Bryce James on the roster, that number should rapidly increase. 'Lino' is really quick with decent backcourt size at and was able to get to the paint consistently throughout Border League. His effort on defense led to a number of deflections and steals. He is a blur in transition and changes direction quickly. In the televised game on Sunday, Mark finished with 27 points on 10-12 FG and 7-8 FT, along with 3 steals in just 24 minutes. He brings a great mix of athleticism, ball skills and intensity and we expect him to earn more offers in the coming months.
Tee Bartlett
2025 | 6’10” Big | Coronado HS (NV)
This is a big man who knows what he is good at, which is leveraging his size to carve out space in the paint. Bartlett has good hands, a soft touch and good timing as a rebounder — he put it all together to the tune of 21 points and 9 rebounds (6 offensive) in what turned out to be quite an impressive in his individual match-up with Cameron Boozer in Air Nado’s (Coronado’s club team name) first game. He has really worked on his body, and even flashed some soft perimeter touch, though he does most of his damage around the hoop. He is not strictly below-the-rim, either, and he’s routinely able to get by opponents with good footwork. Added conditioning will only help him defensively, though he moves well for his size and is such a strong interior presence, making him difficult to move. Regardless of where he ends up at the next level, there aren’t many players out there with Tee’s size, skill and mobility.
