CBB Recruits with the Most to Prove at Las Vegas Events

With the final week of the July live evaluation period beginning on Wednesday, Las Vegas takes center stage as multiple events featuring top-tier players are going on for the next five days.

The unique thing about the final week of July is all of the incredible showcase matchups, many of which will be played in Sin City. Since only Adidas has a shoe-company event going on during the week, Las Vegas events offer a unique opportunity for teams from different shoe leagues to play each other.

It also leads to a lot of players blowing up on the national stage, since so many media members hit the events for the week. In the past, players like Marcus Smart, Wenyen Gabriel and Andrew Jones have solidified their 5-star status with strong showings in Las Vegas and that could very well happen again this week.

Here's a look at a handful of players who could elevate their national status with a strong showing this week. Many of these players are 4-star prospects who are trying to work their way into the All-American conversation, while others are 5-star prospects trying to push into the top 10.

Recruiting ratings via 247Sports.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and information were obtained firsthand.

Tremont Waters, Point Guard

What He's Shown: With scholarship offers from some heavy hitters like Duke, Kentucky and UConn, the 5'11" Waters has proven to be a top-50 prospect and potentially one of the best lead guards in the class with his play this spring and summer.

What He Can Prove: Although Waters has collected some great scholarship offers and is solid as a 4-star prospect, the point guard field is getting a little crowded with guys trying to fight for the top spots. With a strong week in Las Vegas, particularly if he plays well against other top-tier guards, Waters could establish himself as one of the best floor leaders in the country.

Nick Weatherspoon, Guard

What He's Shown: A gifted scoring guard who is also adjusting to get teammates easier looks, the 6'2" Weatherspoon has been a solid 4-star prospect after being one of the Adidas Gauntlet's leading scorers this spring. The younger brother of Mississippi State guard Quinndary Weatherspoon, Nick is hoping to have a big July just like his older brother did two summers ago.

What He Can Prove: As one of the top performers in the NBPA Top 100 Camp in June, Weatherspoon proved that he's a national prospect and a force to be reckoned with. A great final week in Las Vegas could put him in the conversation for 5-star status and a potential spot in the McDonald's All-American game.

Jaylen Hands, Point Guard

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What He's Shown: Already committed to UCLA, Hands was one of the top performers in the Adidas Gauntlet. He's athletically gifted and talented with the ball in his hands. Sitting just outside of 5-star status, the 6'0" Hands is one of the many 4-star guards who is trying to make a push up the rankings.

What He Can Prove: Part of the reason that Hands sits just outside of 5-star status is his shaky perimeter jumper. During Adidas play this spring and summer, Hands only shot 27 percent from three-point range, but he showed some improvement this July when he was 4-for-6 from beyond the arc in one game during the first week of the live period.

D.J. Harvey, Small Forward

What He's Shown: A former 5-star prospect who has dropped in the national rankings over the last few years, D.J. Harvey has been a known prospect since he was a freshman. With an ability to score from all over the floor and make some plays for others, there is a lot to like about Harvey's perimeter ability.

What He Can Prove: Since he's one of the top players in Las Vegas this week, the 6'6" Harvey has a chance to open some eyes and prove that he's still in the discussion as a 5-star prospect. After a strong second week of July at the Victor Oladipo Camp, Harvey is looking to build on the momentum that he's started to gain during the live period.

Justin Smith, Small Forward

What He's Shown: A known prospect since his freshman year when he was playing high school ball with Jalen Brunson, the 6'7" Smith is a high-flying wing who can play well above the rim and also make plays scoring from the perimeter.

What He Can Prove: The knock on Smith is that he's been inconsistent at times during his career, especially with regards to his three-point shooting. If Smith can knock down some shots and prove that he's a well-rounded wing, he could find his way into the national top 50 once the summer finishes up.

Naji Marshall, Small Forward

What He's Shown: It's been a very strong summer for the versatile 6'5" guard as he's shown he can play multiple positions on the floor while being great in transition. Marshall's confidence is growing, too—he averaged 18.0 points per game during the Under Armour Association Finals last week.

What He Can Prove: Perimeter shooting is one of the final things that Marshall needs to figure out in order to become a truly lethal scorer. In Under Armour Association play this spring and summer, Marshall has been under 25 percent from distance, as he's just not a threat to make a lot of three-pointers. If Marshall shows an improved jumper, he would be a tough cover. 

Jordan Nwora, Forward

What He's Shown: After bursting onto the national scene this spring as a wing shooter who can also provide some rebounding, the 6'8" Nwora is hovering in the 4-star range but can't seem to crack most top-100 national rankings. Nwora shot 39 percent from three-point range and averaged over 6.0 rebounds per game in the EYBL this spring.

What He Can Prove: With grassroots teammate Hamidou Diallo playing in the FIBA U18 Americas in Chile this week, there will be more of a burden on Nwora to produce. If Nwora handles the additional defensive pressure well, he could see his stock rise very quickly since shooting is always at a premium. 

Nick Richards, Center

What He's Shown: A 5-star prospect since last spring, the 6'11" Richards has been a very steady contributor and double-double threat the last two seasons in the Nike EYBL. Also showing some ability as a shot blocker, Richards is the type of big man that has room to grow on both ends of the floor.

What He Can Prove: After a stellar showing at Peach Jam in which he upped both his scoring and rebounding, Richards has a chance to face some very talented big men in Las Vegas. If Richards continues to show well against other 5-star big men, he could push towards the top 10 in national rankings. A key for Richards will be making sure that he's playing hard all the time, something he hasn't necessarily done in the past.