First Edition AZ 2019 Rankings
The 2019 class ran their course as freshman and now return to the classroom and basketball court as sophomores. The list has now turned from a watch list to a rankings list. Many of the players in this group upped…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe 2019 class ran their course as freshman and now return to the classroom and basketball court as sophomores. The list has now turned from a watch list to a rankings list. Many of the players in this group upped their stock tremendously during the course of the season and during club ball. In addition, there are a couple of players who look poised to have break out seasons on the varsity level. The list also features a lot of new faces and names as the watch list included 20 incomers and these rankings have jumped to 50 players. Check out the new Rankings.
2019 Stock Risers
No. 1 Majok Deng (Salpointe Catholic) – Many anticipated Josh Green being the top prospect in this class. However, after a tremendous summer season, in which he made noise that was heard all over the country, Deng has solidified himself as the top college prospect in this group. He has good length, good athleticism, and a great feel for the game. Moreover, he is able to shoot the basketball from deep at a high level. When he puts the ball on the floor, he does a nice job of balancing a physical style of play with an array of moves that assist him in getting by the first defender and creating shots over the second defender. He also earned this spot due to the fact that he presents a lot of versatility on the defensive end of the ball. He is capable of guarding 1-4 and does a great job of using his length and athleticism to bother opposing players while he is positioned in help side. He arguably had the biggest summer out of any player in the state of Arizona while participating with Arizona’s top 15U group, PowerHouse Hoops Black.
No. 3 D’maurian Williams (Westview) – It might seem a little cliche to have two of the top stock risers for 2019 be players that are in the top 5 category; however, Williams was a monster this summer and had a great freshman year for Westview. A couple of coaches came to catch some of the older talent on his AZ Power Factory 16U team and left with great inquiry about this younger prospect. Williams is one of, if not the most, talented guard in the state as far as using his body to create space is concerned. He does a phenomenal job of getting the first defender on his hip and using his various skills to get favorable angles for shots and finishes around the rim. His defensive efforts were a concern at times during his freshman year at Westview, but he has improved on that side of the ball as well. His physical attributes afford him the opportunity to guard all the way from point guard to small forward. Although Williams did not create the same buzz as Deng, teams in Westview’s region should be well aware that they are going to have a handful for the next couple of years.
No. 7 Andre Harris Andre Harris 6'7" | PF Hillcrest Prep | 2020 State #269 Nation AZ (Red Mountain) – Harris has dropped 30 pounds and grown in his understanding of the game. He is an unbelievably talented passer for a big and has added some skills to his game that make him a presence along the perimeter. If Red Mountain is going to have a lot of success this next season, Harris will need to live up to what he showed throughout the summer. He is a big man with a soft touch, good footwork, and composure. Unlike many young bigs, he is not fazed by the pressure of a double team. Rather, he sees over the defenders and uses his superior passing skills to create for others.
No. 18 Josh Baker (McClintock) – When the top two players of a program graduate and the program moves into a very competitive conference that features two of the top 5 early front runners for the state title, the team is expected to take a considerable step backwards. However, Baker has not let that happen as he has impressed any scout and coach that watched him play June ball for McClintock. He is a craft guard who has good length and athleticism. For being such a young player, it is impressive how well he manages the game. He understands tempo and does a nice job of dictating it in the manner that McClintock favors. Look for Baker to be the “go to player” on a McClintock roster that lost some key players.
2019 Key Transfers
This group saw a couple of its top tier players transfer to in-state prep school, Hillcrest Prep. Dischon Thomas, formerly of Cesar Chavez and the class of 2018, has reclassifed and left the school in hopes of playing on the national scale. In addition, fellow big man Meekness Payne, who figured to play a key role on a very talented Mountain Pointe team that is loaded with guards, left for waters he felt were more fruitful due to Hillcrest’s national schedule. Both of these players left teams that have a lot of talent, and they would have provided the big man in the middle to aid the skilled guards. It should be interesting to see how their transfers affect Hillcrest as well as their respective previous schools.
The biggest change for the class of 2019 is Josh Green. Formerly of Mountain Ridge, he has also made the jump to Hillcrest Prep. Green was the most likely to content for the top spot in this class until the emergency of Deng. Green’s absence will make a huge impact on a Mountain Ridge team that looked to lean heavily on this sophomore in this upcoming season.
2019 Top Returners
A couple of freshman were able to play meaningful minutes that contributed to their team’s success despite their youthful age and experience. With a new year coming a new faces on the roster, these players will be looked to for even more contribution. It should be interesting to see how they have matured and grown in the off-season as they will have much more pressure and responsibility added to their plates.
No. 9 BJ Burries (Globe)
No. 12 Griffin Bryant (Notre Dame)
No. 13 Reed Myers (Scottsdale Prep)
No. 15 Ethan Spry (Scottsdale Prep)
No 35. Grant Ward (Buena)