The Cactus Classic is back. After taking a two-year hiatus, Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.) founder Nick Weaver and head coach Marques “Taj” Gantt decided to bring the event back. I still recall attending the 2021 rendition and seeing three players by the names of Jared McCain, Kyan Boswell and Devin Williams as youngsters for a simply loaded Corona Centennial team that made waves in California. The initial BFL Prep team (which later added future NBA Draft No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero) was also in the building. There were no shortage of household names in recruiting circles, but there were also a number of players who put their names on the radar at the event in Buckeye, Arizona.

Here are some of the top stock-risers from the 2024 Cactus Classic:

Iyayi Osunde, 6’0, PG, Canyon International Academy (AZ), 2026
When you talk about players who helped themselves at the Cactus Classic, it starts and ends with Iyayi Osunde. The Canadian guard is an insanely special finisher, can get to the rack at will, and has constantly grown over the years. Running with AZ Unity, Osunde is definitely a player who will break out on the 2024 EYBL circuit.

Tarik Watson, 6’8, PF/C, Hillcrest Prep (AZ), 2024
One of the most productive bigs at the Cactus Classic, Tarik Watson brought his upstate New York style of play for Hillcrest Prep. Watson was outstanding rebounding outside of his area, can play make from the post, and imposes his will on others defensively with his physical style of play. The high academic big has been hearing most from Northwestern, Brown, and Western Carolina as of late.

Ty Virgil, 6’5, PG/SG/SF, Phh Prep National (AZ), 2024
A combo guard with size, Ty Virgil showed the ability to play all three perimeter positions at the Cactus Classic. The lefty is a terrific athlete, excels pushing the rock up the floor in a hurry, and shows potential as a 3-point shooter. A native of Sacramento, Virgil is yet another NorCal player who has slid under the radar, but owns no shortage of D1 offers.

Jaelyn Lyn, 6’4, PG/SG, Hillcrest Prep (AZ), 2024
Another unsigned senior on the list is Jaelyn Lyn, a freak athlete combo guard out of New York. Lyn utilized his athleticism on both ends, really has the ability to put points on the board in a hurry, and puts immense pressure on the rock defensively. The Queens product ran with Wiz Kids on the AAU circuit and is going to make a college happy in the late signing period.

Adrien Isaac, 6’10, C, Hillcrest Prep (AZ), 2027
One of the more talented freshman bigs on the west coast, Adrien Isaacs showed his ridiculous upside at the Cactus Classic. The lefty is an imposing shot blocker, can really pass the rock for a young big, and showed good hands making tough catches. Isaac put the full package on display with a 16-point, 7-rebound, 5-block game against Ascending Life and is certainly a name to remember.

Nate Washburn, 6’8, PF/C, Phh Prep National (AZ), 2024
A throwback big, Nate Washburn definitely showed that he could hold his own in the paint at the Cactus Classic. He made a number of tough catches/conversions in the paint, controlled his area on the glass, and even showed potential as a shooter facing the rack. The Michigan native definitely has the game that fits in perfectly for a number of conferences within the Midwest at the collegiate level.