This week I attended the Visit Mesa Basketball Challenge at Mesa Mountain View HS and the McClintock Shootout at McClintock HS.

The VMBC had 16 schools which had 4 out of state teams from UT, NYC, NV and CA and then 12 AIA schools. Most games were on set times during the week.

The Shootout had a bracket tourney style with 16 AIA teams playing for a winner.

Shootout Results:

1st place: Gilbert

2nd place: Cesar Chavez

3rd place: Apollo

4th place: Mesa

Here were 35 standouts I viewed in the 4 days:

2019

Emmanuel Taban SF 6’7” 175 Apollo

-Taban is the top available senior left. He can handle the ball well like a guard and is very difficult to defend. He has long arms and has a nice jumper from both levels. His ball fakes are what separates him from many. He give a hard shot fake then he can crossover in front of his defender to pull-up or drive it all the way and score it with a variety of ways. He has a floater game and great length to score on tough baskets vs size. He is a great defender using his length and instincts. He still needs to keep putting on some weight which should come in college.

Josh Baker SG 6’3” 175 McClintock

-Baker played in only a half but it was impressive. He injured his lower back and never returned. In his lone half he scored 18 points with multiple 3’s but he also drove the lane with deceptive quickness. He has good length and a pure 3pt shot. He shoots more of a set shot but it looks good with every release. He sees the court well and uses his length to get in the passing lanes and collect steals.

Zach Hobbs SG 6’4” 190 Mesa

-Hobbs is a knockdown shooter that is very tough. He rebounds the ball well for a guard and has improved his all-around scoring ability. He takes the ball to the basket better then before and scores it through contact. He doesn’t mind getting physical inside and has improved his rebounding dramatically. He takes charges, plays defense with toughness and is a team leader.

Carson Towt F 6’6” 185 Gilbert

-Towt is a tough inside outside threat. He is arguably the biggest riser in the senior class. He can shoot it decently from the perimeter plus rip through and score it with contact. He is physical inside to rebound and he is bouncy to throw it down. He is a good passer and teammate and you won’t find many with his overall toughness, skill and IQ. His improved height has helped him the last year or so become a better prospect. His patience with the ball in the post make him a tough cover with step back fade-aways, drop steps, power moves and passes to teammates.

Miles Houston C 6’8” 215 Perry

-Houston just became eligible this week from transferring over from Hamilton HS and started a little slow but once he got in a groove he played with great energy. He has a high motor and rebounds the ball at a high level. He looks a little more athletic and can face up and shoot it. He can score it around the hoop and looks more aggressive and seems healthier then he’s been in a while. He will only improve as the year goes on and be a vital part of the Pumas success to a possible Chip.

Noah "Doc" Self PG 5’10” 160 Gilbert

-If Towt is the fastest rising forward, Self is the fastest rising guard. He has improved his jumper full circle since his sophomore year. He has always had the speed, court vision, team leader and quick on-ball defense but his pull-up from mid-range and deep ball is much improved.

Isaiah Wilson SG 6’2” 160 Desert Vista

-Wilson is an athletic scoring guard. He seemingly can get to the cup at will. He is a decent 3pt shooter and has a way better mid-range. He can flush it down on the break and make contested layups in traffic with good body control. He defends his position with his speed and quicks.

Johnny Diaz PG 5’10” 165 Deer Valley

-Diaz is turning into one of the best pure PGs in the senior class. He sees the court with next level passes and has elite competitiveness and leadership skills. He can pull-up from mid-range off the dribble. He can shoot it with deep range and get by his man and lay it in. He is obviously not the biggest player but a player who plays with great confidence and moxie.

Brandon Kron PF 6’4” 220 Desert Mountain

-Kron is a low post player who can face-up from elbow and in. He plays very physical with his football background and understands how to use his girth/strength to his advantage. He carves up space and has many counter moves and spin moves he uses in the paint. He is very crafty and cerebral despite playing under the rim. He also is a very good passer and plays with a good motor.

Hayden Quinn F 6’4” 185 Hamilton

-Quinn is a consistent 3pt shooter with a quicker release. He has good thickness and plays a smart game. He is a good passer and can drive to the cup with a decent handle and score it through contact.

Ryan Gilburne SG 5’11” 170 Brophy Prep

-Gilburne is lights out shooter. He is best off the catch and gets a good look on every attempt. He is very competitive and not afraid to mix it up inside.

Chris McGirt PG 5’10” 150 Desert Mountain

-McGirt is a consistent 3pt shooter. The lefty plays a smart floor game and has great court awareness. He is a good passer and competes on the defensive end to collect steals. He is very thin and will need to put on weight in college.

2020

Osasere Ighodaro PF 6’8” 180 Desert Vista

-Ighodaro is an unique player. He is currently way advanced defensively with his long arms to swat away shots, grab rebounds in area and collect steals. Offensively he is a face-up 4-man who is an incredible passer. He’s flirted with a triple double in many games this year. He can shoot it from perimeter and score it on hook shots which is his best post move and has a floater. He can handle the ball well but his passing from the post or high post can be a college weapon. He has to get stronger and be more aggressive at times moving forward. He should be able to take over games even more than he does.

Alem Huseinovic SG 6’4” 175 Chaparral

-Huseinovic is one the top shooters in the junior class. He has a consistent high release and gets it off quickly. He can take the ball to the hole and score on layups plus has a nice 1-dribble pull-up. His on-ball defense is good and has better strength than last year to take the pounding inside. He plays a smart floor game but is mostly the go-to scorer for the Firebirds.

Brycen Long CG 6’2” 165 Gilbert

-Long is another one of the states top shooters regardless of class. He gets a clean look every attempt and is very consistent and professional in his approach. He can give a shot fake then pull-up after 1-2 dribbles from mid-range. He is very active on defense with quick hands. He blocks shots, steals the ball and is a better athlete than he is perceived. He has good speed in the open court and has a fluid handle and can make plays for others.

Dayton Harris PG 6’1” 160 Skyline

-Harris is the quintessential pure PG. He is always looking to make plays for his young team and is a true leader. When he is rolling, he is diming his teammates and then he can get his own. He can shoot it from deep plus get in the lane and score it with his left or right hand with a good burst to get to the cup or get fouled. He also uses his length to deflect passes and grab steals to pick off opposing guards. He could cut down on some turnovers trying to thread the needle on a few plays.

Tanner Poeschl PF 6’6” 185 Skyline

-Poeschl is another impressive player for the Coyotes. He can play inside and out and has a massive wingspan. He grabs rebounds at a high rate with two hands and can block shots at a high rate. He can close out to shooters and block their shot which is a hard thing to do. He can step out and hit a 3pt shot plus score it inside with a variety of post moves. Poeschl is a nice upside forward.

2020

Jake Murphy SG 6’4” 185 Arcadia

-Murphy is getting better as the year goes on. His shot is looking more and more like big bro Carter Murphy (Air Force commit). He has a nice build and shoots it with good form. He also is a very good passer and improving defender.

Basil Ribakare C 6’6” 190 Brophy Prep

-Ribakare is a budding prospect. He is a long and somewhat raw post player with good instincts. He runs the floor well and has a nice drop step plus is a good two handed rebounder. Look for him to make a big leap in his game next year.

Jacob Patterson SF 6’5” 180 Liberty

-Patterson is predominantly a face-up shooter. He has great length with deep 3pt range. He uses his length on defense to rebound, collect steals and block shots. He can drive to the basket to score but he needs to improve his ball handling and strength.

Tyree Tyler SF/F 6’4” 170 Skyline

-Tyler was one of the breakout players I viewed this week. He is a plus athlete and can get downhill quickly. The lefty has great length and crashes the glass to grab rebounds at a high rate for his size. He can hit perimeter shots and fly in the open court. He is a perfect compliment to Harris and Poeschl.

Eric Blackwell SG 6’0” 165 Corona del Sol

-Blackwell is a tough scorer and competitor. He is an undersized guard who can shoot it and defend. The lefty has a no nonsense approach to the game and plays with a purpose. He can hit the 3-ball plus has a consistent floater game. He's tough on the ball defensively and he is a good teammate.

Hayden Moser SG 6’3” 170 Catalina Foothills

-Moser is a scoring guard who gets hot quickly from deep. He can pull-up of the dribble and can drive the lane. He does need to get tougher/stronger for the next level but he has a lot to offer. He can make others better and is competitive.

2021

DaRon Holmes Jr PF 6’8” 180 Millennium

-Holmes just keeps producing. He is a walking triple double and gets it done on defense. He can shoot 3’s, rip through and score and fly in the open court and dunk it. He is an incredible passer for his size and position and you can knock him at times for not taking over more. He is almost too unselfish to a T and sometimes you want to see that dog unleashed. He has great length to block shots and rebounds out of area. He will be a face-up forward in college but can defend multiple positions on the court. The versatile forward is a top-50 candidate once he gets stronger.

Ty Ty Washington Jr PG 6’3” 178 Cesar Chavez

-Washington just seems to be improving something every few months or so. This time it’s his body. He is pushing 6’3” and is leaning out somewhat as well. He will never be that elite athlete but has become more springy and a little quicker. Not many guards in the 6A have been playing better then him. He can score it from the perimeter and can post you up. He has a nice crossover to create space and can pull-up quickly to get it off. He plays physical inside when he drives to the basket and scores it through contact. He can make difficult layups in traffic and he rebounds well with good physicality. He uses his length and strength to rip his opponents. He also has good passing skills but is mostly needed to score.

2021

Will Menaugh C 6’9” 230 Catalina Foothills

-Menaugh is a big kid who keeps making strides. He is young for his grade and rebounds well and blocks shots. He is very strong in the paint to hold his ground and can catch passes and score it with layups.

Paris Woods SG/SF 6’5” 170 Apollo

-Woods is a long wing scorer. He is super fast in the open court and can throw it down easily above the rim. He has an incredible floater game once he gets into the lane with his long strides. He is a capable 3pt shooter but needs to make progress with his shooting mechanics. The ball comes off ok but starts very low and needs to raise his release up before he plays in college. He is a good defender using his long wingspan and is a very good rebounder for a wing. He has a huge upside and will most likely be featured next two tears once Taban graduates.

Ricardo Sarmiento PG 5’11” 165 Cesar Chavez

-Sarmiento may have the most polished pull-up off the dribble in the state. He gets incredible elevation high off the floor and releases it quickly to make it very hard to block his shot. He is relentless on the ball defensively guarding anyone in front of him. He is a confident lead guard who is trying make the right play. He can shoot from mid to the 3pt line and he is another tough minded player.

Justus Jackson PG 5’10” 165 Millennium

-Jackson is turning into one of the top pure PG’s in his class. He is finding that happy medium of scorer and facilitator. He has volleyball line 3pt range and can pull-up off the dribble from mid-range and is quick on the ball defensively. He hit 8 3’s in two games I viewed to go along with his 8 assists.

Trenton McLaughlin SG 6’3” 170 Basha

-McLaughlin is turning into one the top shooters in the class. He went off vs Liberty and scored 37 points with an unreal 8 3pt shots made. He is mostly off the catch but he can also get to the basket and use the floater and score it with his left hand. He is aggressive picking up steals and plays a smart floor game. He can keep on progressing his handle to go to another level.

2021

Coleman Fields W 6’3” 165 Millennium

-Fields is a long and talented wing who can shoot the 3pt shot plus defend. He is the third soph stud for the young Tigers team for the future.

Steven Cervantes PG 5’10” 150 Mesa

-Cervantes is very controlled, cerebral and skilled. He has deep 3pt range and is super crafty getting into the lane to score with a variety of layups. He will be asked to step up next year when Hobbs graduates and possibly lead the team in scoring.

2022

Dylan Anderson PF 6’10” 210 Perry

-Anderson is one of the top big men in the West Coast for his age. He is starting to put strong games together on a consistent basis. He put up multiple games of 20 points and 10+ rebounds to go along with a few blocks per game. He can shoot it comfortably from elbow and in and can step out to the 3pt line. He can can also play with his back to the basket somewhat and can make hook shots plus he keeps the ball high to score it. He made a few next level moves to show his high college upside.

Foune Doucoure C 6’7” 190 Liberty

-Doucoure is a long and athletic post player. He grabs rebounds in his area at a high level. He runs the floor really well but is raw currently with only basic post moves. If he can progress his skills, he already has the length, body and athleticism for college.

Creed Williamson C 6’6” 200 Rancho Solano Prep

-Williamson is a strong post player. He may be the strongest in the entire freshman class. He has a young baby face and he is very hard to move. He can face-up a little to the 3pt line and in and make layups near the basket. He rebounds well in his area and can block shots. He runs the floor well and the son of Corliss Williamson has a huge upside.