Evans' Takeaways: Gaffney the talk of the day in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS - The final full day of the travel season came and went Saturday as a few names emerged and others cemented themselves among the elite. Reggie Perry and Nate Laszewski played the part of high major producers but it was Alonzo Gaffney that was the talk of the day.

Alonzo Gaffney's talent level has never been in question. However, the three-star prospect's production never quite met expectations. That has changed in drastic fashion as the Ohio Basketball Club star played the part of an elite, blueblood recruit on Saturday.

Blessed with great length, athleticism and an improved skillset, it is like the light turned on overnight for Gaffney. Ohio State offered on Friday and Kansas jumped into the mix on Saturday. Gaffney's father played at Cincinnati, and the Bearcats were present at each of his games, but keeping the 2019 star in-state is going to be difficult. Louisville has already gained traction with him and it is only a matter of time before other nationally prominent programs jump into the mix as well.

Ben Howland has to be enthralled with Reggie Perry. The Mississippi State head coach was sitting courtside for Perry's matchup against Team Loaded NC and watched the five-star standout play the role of dream killer.

A super talented but skilled power forward with a college ready game and body, Perry was phenomenal on Saturday. There was nothing that Team Loaded NC frontline could do against him. Perry demolished Loaded's chances of reaching the next round of bracket play.

While Perry's college career may only last for a year, alongside incoming talent Nick Weatherspoon, Starkville is about to be rocking as the Bulldogs may may be emerging as a new contender alongside Kentucky and Florida.

Several new names have emerged during the July evaluation periods, their recruitments soaring through the roof after impressive performances.

Nate Laszewski has never lacked for quality scholarship offers. Entering this week, Miami, Wake Forest, Notre Dame and Vanderbilt were thought to be the leading group for the four-star standout. Now, following an impressive performance in Las Vegas, Laszewki's recruitment has been shaken up by offers from Wisconsin, Indiana, Arizona and several others.

Laszewski, who has several family ties to Wisconsin, has remained even-keeled throughout the process. It will be interesting to see if North Carolina offers as Roy Williams was at both of his games on Saturday, and it can only help that his former teammate, Andrew Platek, is heading into his first year in Chapel Hill.

Josh Christopher is one of the most promising West Coast prospects in the 2020 class. Playing all of the way up on the 17-under level this weekend, Christopher has shown unbelievable toughness, confidence and a fairly polished skillset.

He does need to develop and round out his skills in the coming years, but Christopher is not one that will ever back down from a challenge. In a class that is looking to be the best since the current graduating class of 2017, Christopher is another name to know. His scoring prowess is already off the charts as he nailed four perimeter jumpers to get his team over the hump on Saturday and his athleticism at the basket is ooh and awh worthy.

Christopher's recruitment is already a high-major affair, with Cal, Florida State, USC, Arizona and UCLA already extending offers.

The sidelines were full capacity on Saturday, and we tracked which college programs were watching which prospects on the final full day of the July evaluation periods.

A top break out performer during the first week of July, Bradley Beal Elite wing Jericole Hellems was watched by Missouri head coach Cuonzo Martin, NC State head coach Kevin Keatts, Virginia Tech head coach Buzz Williams, and assistants from Purdue, Iowa, Kansas State, Florida, Arkansas, Vanderbilt and Michigan.

Alonzo Gaffney had a heavy contingent of coaches watching him on Saturday as Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann and assistants from Pitt, Duke, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Louisville and Cincinnati each were courtside.

In Zion Williamson’s final travel basketball game of his career, Coach K, Brad Brownell and assistants from South Carolina, Kentucky and Kansas were present.

Illinois and Xavier remain heavy presences at the games of Ayo Dosunmu, a top-25 guard in the 2018 class, as each program ended their night at his team’s win.

Five-star forward Matt Hurt hosted Archie Miller and Roy Williams, along with assistants from Minnesota, Duke, Wisconsin, Louisville and Arizona for his matinee session.

Marquette head coach Steve Wojciechowski and his entire staff, along with assistants from Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, Baylor, Texas A&M, UCLA and UNC were spotted watching five-star Basketball University guard Quentin Grimes.