Winners
17U Platinum: AZ Power Factory 17U
17U Open: Golden Gate Basketball
16U Gold: Alvin Gentry Elite
16U Silver: AZP
15U Gold: AZ Sting Ballard
15U Silver: Netrippers
Top Performer
Jared Martin 6’5″ G/F 2018 Saguaro (Alvin Gentry Elite 16U)- Martin helped to lead his team to a championship by coming up big in all three games on Sunday. In a tightly contested game with AZ Power Select to start the day, Jared made the big plays on both ends that broke the game open late. His team then had two blowout wins in the semifinal and championship games led by Martin, who was impressive as an all around player, showing the ability to handle as a guard, shoot 3’s, and get inside and mix it up in the paint. Jared is a player to keep an eye on moving forward.
Stock Risers
Adonis Arms 6’5″ G 2016 Desert Vista (Team Phoenix 17U)- The surprise of the weekend in the 17U platinum division was Team Phoenix. A big piece of their success can be attributed to the long, athletic guard that stood out as a premier perimeter defender, getting in the passing lanes consistently and throwing it down on the other end. After a year of prep school, look for Adonis to be a low major D1/ D2/ NAIA D1 player.
Dre Marin 6’0″ G 2017 Apollo (Factory 17U)- On a day that saw opposing teams throwing everything they had at the inside tandem for Factory, Marin showed there is much more to their success than their interior play. Showing explosive quickness in the open floor, the ability to make creative finishes at the rim, and a competitive edge on the defensive end, this knockdown shooter was the engine offensively for the best team in the building Sunday.
Darnell Cowart 6’7″ F 2016 Apollo (Powerhouse Hoops Red 17U)- Cowart was an absolute beast inside and proved hard to handle for opposing defenses while utilizing a combination of nimble footwork and pure power. His competitiveness really stood out against the twin towers that Factory has, as he was more than willing to get physical with both of them.
New Names
Habib Arogundade 5’8″ G 2017 Millennium (Powerhouse Hoops Red 17U)- Habib stepped up and used his quickness to wreak havoc in the lane on offense. In their contest against Factory 17U, he showed that he belongs on the court with any guard that was in attendance this weekend. Despite his small stature, Habib was able to finish with contact and over length. Looks like a good D2/NAIA D1 guard that will be a good, productive player for 4 years.
Malik Simmons 6’0″ G 2016 Mountain Pointe (Team Phoenix)- This streaky shooter showed not only the ability to quickly heat up from deep, but he hit multiple big shots on the day. Against AZ Power Elite 17U, his big step back 3 sent the game to overtime on the way to the upset. Simmons does a solid job of moving without the ball, running defenders around multiple screens to get open looks. Also a quick defender with good instincts.
Notable Performers
2017
Malik Ondigo 6’10” F 2017 TBA (Factory 17U)- Get used to hearing Malik mentioned among the state’s top players. Malik once again showed the dominant defensive effort that anchored his team’s play. While they faced multiple bigs in the semifinal and final games, Malik answered some questions about his offensive arsenal as he took over games for stretches on both ends. With continued development and weight room work, Ondigo could really help a mid major D1 program.
Andres Mayberry 5’11” G Red Mountain 2017 (AZ Power Elite 17U)- The starting PG for Power orchestrated his team and got the ball where it needed to go, while hitting open 3’s whenever the defense collapsed on the bigs.
Nigel Shadd 6’9″ PF Tri City 2017 (Factory 17U)- The highlight of the day was unquestionably Shadd’s huge two hand posterization in the championship game. While some may question how Nigel fares against equal size and similar athleticism, plays like this made it clear that no matter who he is up against, when Nigel Shadd walks onto a basketball court, keep the cameras rolling.
Jared Rodriguez 6’7″ F Mountain Ridge 2017 (AZ Power Elite 17U)- Rodriguez was yet again impressive, showing a great stroke at his size. With the ability to play on the wing comfortably, low major D1 schools should be all over Jared before he breaks out during the July live period.
2018
Brennen Davis 6’5″ G Basha 2018 (Alvin Gentry Elite 16U)- Davis is an exceptional athlete. He shows the ability on the defensive end to really make life difficult for smaller guards, yet has the size to guard wing players. Davis performed well in helping his team show that they were the class of the 16U division.
Melek Alexander 6’2″ G Corona Del Sol 2018 (AZ Power Elite 16U)- Malik has the athleticism to get to the basket and finish. Although he has the tendency to settle for jump shots, he also showed a soft shooting touch from midrange and out to the 3.
Bryan Baptiste 5’8″ G Basha 2018 (AZ Power Select)- Baptiste just continued to attack on both offense and defense against Alvin Gentry Elite, helping his team to give the champs the closest competition that they would face all day Sunday.
2019
Reed Myers 6’0″ G Scottsdale Christian 2019 (Alvin Gentry Elite 16U)- It was easy to see why this freshman was named the small schools player of the year during high school season. Myers is a PG that does just what his team needs him to do and he rarely looks to be out of control or rushed. Reed was a steady leader of his team.