Les Schwab Invitational 2023: 40 top players to watch at elite holiday basketball tournament in Oregon
Four national powers will battle with 12 of the best boys basketball teams in Oregon at the 2023 Les Schwab Invitational, which will run Dec. 26-30 at Liberty High School in Hillsboro.
More than 30 past LSI participants have gone on to play in the NBA, a list that includes Jaylen Brown, Kevin Durant and Kevin Love.
Here’s a look at several of the top players who will be competing in this year’s tournament.
Jaden Steppe (Tualatin) photo by Dan Brood
—
Malik Abdullahi, sr., Columbus (Florida)
Abdullahi is a versatile forward who is an inside-outside presence for Columbus. He will play college basketball in the Ivy League for Princeton.
Jalen Atkins, jr., Barlow (Oregon)
The reigning Mt. Hood Conference player of the year, Atkins is a junior point guard with unlimited shooting range. He averaged 25 points per game at last year’s LSI.
Mason Bierbrauer, jr., Barlow (Oregon)
A 6-foot-6 swingman, Bierbrauer is another junior standout alongside Jalen Atkins. He picked up his first Division I offer from San Francisco in the spring.
Brayden Boe, jr., Mountainside (Oregon)
A four-star junior, Boe is one of the most dangerous scorers in Oregon. The 6-foot-5 guard’s early offers include Boise State and Montana. He was voted Metro League player of the year as a sophomore.
Isaac Bongen, fr., Jesuit (Oregon)
One of the highest-rated freshmen in Oregon, Bongen is a 6-foot-3 perimeter player with a knack for scoring. His early offers include Portland and Portland State.
Cameron Boozer, jr., Columbus (Florida)
A son of former all-NBA forward Carlos Boozer, Cameron Boozer is rated the No. 2 national junior by 247Sports. The 6-foot-9 power forward’s numerous offers include Duke, Florida, Florida State, Kentucky and Miami.
Cayden Boozer, jr., Columbus (Florida)
Cameron’s twin brother, Cayden Boozer is a five-star point guard who checks in at No. 14 nationally in the 247Sports composite rankings for the class of 2025. He is also considering the above-mentioned schools but is not necessarily a package deal with Cameron.
Pearson Carmichael, sr., Summit (Oregon)
A Boise State signee, Carmichael might be the toughest one-on-one matchup in Oregon. The 6-foot-7 senior is a three-level scorer with a combination of strength and athleticism that overwhelms most defenders. He is the reigning Class 5A player of the year.
Isaac Carr, jr., Central Catholic (Oregon)
The No. 1 junior prospect in Oregon, Carr committed to Oregon in October. The 6-foot-4 guard can light it up from long range.
Donovan Crowder, sr., Liberty (Oregon)
Crowder is Liberty’s starting point guard, but the senior guard can also be a scorer when needed. His quickness makes him a factor at both ends of the court.
Carter Fortune, sr., Southridge (Oregon)
Fortune is a lead ball-handler for a Southridge offense that averaged 81.8 points per game during its 6-0 start. The 6-foot-2 senior also provides support as a rebounder and defender.
Kaden Groenig, sr., Southridge (Oregon)
Another Southridge sharp-shooter, Groenig was voted first-team all-Metro League alongside Carter Fortune last season. The two guards are among Southridge’s five returning starters from 2022-23.
D’Andre Harrison, jr., Perry (Arizona)
Harrison is a sturdy forward at 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds. He is ranked the No. 5 junior prospect in Arizona.
Robert Hinton, sr., Harvard-Westlake (California)
Hinton is capable of playing either guard position. Rated the nation’s No. 99 junior by 247Sports, the four-star prospect is committed to Harvard.
Christian Horry, sr., Harvard-Westlake (California)
A son of seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry, Christian Horry plays on the wing for Harvard-Westlake. Just like his dad, the senior is an excellent 3-point shooter.
Avery Huston, fr., Cascade Christian (Oregon)
Huston already plays a starring role in Cascade Christian’s backcourt as a freshman. He is one of Oregon’s top class of 2027 prospects.
Max Juhala, sr., West Linn (Oregon)
The sixth man on last season’s West Linn team that won the LSI title, Juhala is now a go-to player as a senior. The 6-foot-5 wing can knock down long-range shots and attack the basket.
Niccolo Kalischer-Stork, sr., Harvard-Westlake (California)
Kalischer-Stork is a standout defender who is adept at attacking the basket on offense. He recently committed to Southern Methodist.
James Kefgen, jr., Liberty (Oregon)
Kefgen averaged 22.2 points per game as a sophomore and is a contender to make the Class 6A all-state team this winter. He is a strong all-around guard who stands 6-foot-3.
Nikolas Khamenia, jr., Harvard-Westlake (California)
A 6-foot-8 wing, Khamenia can bury perimeter shots and provide help as a passer and rebounder. He is the nation’s No. 52 junior with double-digit Division I offers.
Ryan Lafferty, sr., Mt. Spokane (Washington)
Lafferty, a senior guard, will play Division I basketball for St. Thomas (Minnesota). He helped lead the Wildcats to a third-place finish at last year’s Washington Class 3A state tournament.
Jemai Lake, so., Tualatin (Oregon)
The younger brother of current Oregon State guard Josiah Lake, Jemai Lake was a part-time varsity player as a freshman and is now Tualatin’s starting point guard. His skill level is far beyond the typical sophomore's.
Austin Maurer, sr., Cascade Christian (Oregon)
The No. 1 senior prospect in Oregon, Maurer is a four-star recruit who committed to Grand Canyon in October. The 7-foot center recently had 44 points and 26 rebounds in a victory over South Salem at the Capitol City Classic.
Isaac McCoy, sr., Lake Oswego (Oregon)
McCoy is a lead ball-hander as a senior for Lake Oswego. He provides a scoring punch next to star wing Aengus Sutherland.
Collin Moore, sr., Summit (Oregon)
A state-champion high jumper with a personal record of 6 feet, 7 inches, Moore runs the point for 5A title-hopeful Summit. The senior’s athleticism pays dividends at both ends of the court.
AJ Noland, sr., Tualatin (Oregon)
Noland will play football in college for Colorado State, but the senior guard is also a key piece on the hardwood for the two-time defending Class 6A state champions. Noland brings physicality and athleticism to the Timberwolves’ backcourt.
Zamir Paschal, so., Central Catholic (Oregon)
Paschal showed flashes of brilliance as a freshman, eventually working his way into the starting lineup. He is an electric point guard with plenty of wiggle.
Koa Peat, jr., Perry (Arizona)
Peat, the No. 4 national junior prospect, is one of the headliners at this year’s LSI. The 6-foot-8 forward can do it all and holds offers from Michigan, North Carolina, Texas and numerous others.
Trent Perry, sr., Harvard-Westlake (California)
Harvard-Westlake’s go-to player, Perry will stay home for college to play for USC. Perry — the nation’s No. 54 senior in the class of 2024 247Sports composite rankings — recently recorded his 1,000th career high school point.
Nico Rafalovich, sr., Jesuit (Oregon)
One of Jesuit’s only returning players from a season ago, Rafalovich is a 6-foot-6 senior with an inside-outside game. He is a good passer and ball-handler who can also knock down shots from anywhere.
Drew Rayment, sr., Mt. Spokane (Washington)
Rayment will play baseball in college for Santa Clara, but the 6-foot-5 forward is also a standout on the hardwood. He is able to play inside and outside because of his size and athleticism.
Aidan Rice, sr., Beaverton (Oregon)
Rice is one of the best long-range shooters at this year’s LSI. The senior guard has also become a solid passer and rebounder for Beaverton.
Jase Richardson, sr., Columbus (Florida)
While playing for Bishop Gorman a season ago, Richardson helped lead the Gaels to a fourth-place LSI finish. Now at Columbus, the Michigan State signee is a four-star combo guard who checks in at No. 33 in the 247Sports composite rankings. His twin brother, Jaxon, is also on the team. The Richardsons are the sons of former NBAer Jason Richardson.
Barron Silsby, sr., Perry (Arizona)
The orchestrator of Perry’s offense, Silsby can stretch the floor as a 3-point shooter. The senior is also adept at finding open teammates.
Jaden Steppe, sr., Tualatin (Oregon)
A four-star recruit, Steppe is the No. 2-rated senior prospect in Oregon. The 6-foot-8 Colorado State signee has a well-rounded game as an inside-outside player.
Aengus Sutherland, sr., Lake Oswego (Oregon)
A senior swingman, Sutherland attacks the basket with ferocity. The 6-foot-5 playmaker is a strong all-around offensive threat.
Pat Vialva Jr., fr., West Linn (Oregon)
West Linn is known for producing elite point guards, and Vialva Jr. is next in line. The freshman sensation also plays football for the Lions.
Eli Vizconde, so., Mountainside (Oregon)
Vizconde was an important player for Mountainside last season and has blossomed as a sophomore. He is a lights-out shooter from beyond the 3-point line.
Chance Winter, sr., Beaverton (Oregon)
The 6-foot-11 Winter is one of the top rim protectors in Oregon. He can space the floor on offense with his shooting ability.
Marley Zeller, sr., Central Catholic (Oregon)
The 6-foot-5 Zeller gives Central Catholic some size on the wing. The athletic playmaker is a Pepperdine signee.
—
SBLive Sports is the Official Media Partner of the Les Schwab Invitational. Stay with SBLive Oregon for unmatched tournament coverage.
