Southwest Basketball Camp 2020 Superlatives
The last two days Justin Vargas and I put on the 4th annual Southwest Basketball Camp at the Arizona Sports Complex in Phx, AZ. 104 players from Arizona, California, New Mexico and Michigan battled it out. 12 teams with 8-9…
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Continue ReadingThe last two days Justin Vargas and I put on the 4th annual Southwest Basketball Camp at the Arizona Sports Complex in Phx, AZ.
104 players from Arizona, California, New Mexico and Michigan battled it out. 12 teams with 8-9 players each.
Each team played 4 games with a possible All-Star game. The All-Star games lived up to the hype with many coaches walking away impressed with what they saw and 6 basketball offers were given out so far.
Let’s take a deeper look at who stood out at 30 different categories:
Most outstanding player:
Isaiah Broady Isaiah Broady 6'8" | PF AZ Compass Prep | 2021 State AZ (Chandler)
-He was sensational in many games and almost unguardable during stretches.
Best passer:
Moses Demalek Moses Demalek 6'7" | PF Paradise Valley | 2021 State AZ (Paradise Valley)
-A rare 6’7 forward who makes ALL players better around him.
Fastest upperclassman end to end:
Brandon Jackson Brandon Jackson 6'0" | CG North Canyon | 2021 State AZ (Heritage Maricopa)
-The faster the game gets, the better he becomes. He has elite stamina and real speed. A perfect fit for his new HS of “7-seconds or less type of ball”.
Fastest underclassman end to end:
Tarik Spencer Tarik Spencer 6'2" | CG Valley Vista | 2023 AZ (Valley Vista)
-This kid has serious jets. He puts his foot down and he’s gone. He looked like a track star that was hooping.
Most versatile junior:
Anderson Wilson Anderson Wilson 6'4" | SF Phh Prep | 2022 State AZ (South Mountain)
-A long wing that handles well, played PG for his team, made passes, defended multiple positions, played above the rim, made 3’s plus plays with a motor.
Most versatile seniors:
Moses Demalek Moses Demalek 6'7" | PF Paradise Valley | 2021 State AZ (Paradise Valley)
-A rare point forward at the 4-spot is a next level passer, big time defender and makes shots from all 3 levels.
Jamison Kay Jamison Kay 6'5" | SF Gila Ridge | 2021 State AZ (Gila Ridge)
-Played the 1-3 both days with the ball in his hands often making plays and defended the 1-4 plus hitting deep 3’s.
Best upperclassman athlete:
Elijah Black (Mount Miguel-CA)
-A freak athlete that has the windmill in his bag whenever he wants to. Probably a legit 40-inch vert type of athlete.
Best underclassman athlete:
Tarik Spencer Tarik Spencer 6'2" | CG Valley Vista | 2023 AZ (Valley Vista)
-Has incredible open court speed and plays above the rim!
Aadem Isai ➡️ Tarik Spencer 🔥👀 pic.twitter.com/2MT2FAESUV
— EVision (@EVision_AZ) August 6, 2020
Best shooter for a forward:
Nicolas Giliberto Nicolas Giliberto 6'5" | SF Paradise Valley | 2021 State AZ (Paradise Valley)
-WATER! A clean stroke and was super consistent. Easily one of the best shooters in the class locally.
Best shooter for a guard:
Junior Hodnett (Rio Rancho-NM)
-The New Mexico guard had everyone buzzing of how well he shot it. He may not be the next Josh Baker, but wow, he has a PURE stroke.
Deepest shooting range:
Easton Reagan Easton Reagan 6'4" | CG Desert Mountain | 2022 State AZ (Desert Mountain)
-Another top-tier shooter has some range in his game from the volleyball line.
Quickest shooting release:
Yahir Garcia Yahir Garcia 6'4" | SG Southern AZ Volunteers | 2021 State AZ (Tucson)
-The Top-20 contestant needs very little time and/or space to get that thing off his hands.
Top “dog” of the camp:
Kaden Luna Kaden Luna 6'2" | CG Southern AZ Volunteers | 2021 State AZ (Tucson)
-He is as tough as a player I have seen this year. Relentless pursuit of energy and a huge aggressive motor to do anything. He scores it and defends!
Top newcomer to the state:
Isaiah Shaw Isaiah Shaw 6'6" | SF Phhoenix Prep | 2021 State AZ (Phhoenix Prep)
-Another pure stroke is also considered a top-shooter in the class locally. The lefty makes it look easy but also is an impressive passer.
Best pull-up:
Tre Bell Tre Bell 5'9" | PG Heritage Maricopa | 2021 State AZ (Heritage Maricopa)
-He was the pull-up king of the camp. He may have made 5-7 in his 5 games played. It is sudden and he gets great elevation for it not to get blocked. Good weapon to have for an undersized guard.
Best on-ball defender for a guard:
Jason Kimbrough Jr Jason Kimbrough Jr 6'1" | PG Bella Vista Prep | 2022 AZ (Mountain Pointe)
He is strong, fast with elite lateral quickness. He is a shut down corner giving everyone he guarded his “A” game.
Best on-ball defender for a forward
Moses Demalek Moses Demalek 6'7" | PF Paradise Valley | 2021 State AZ (Paradise Valley)
-Crazy length, good strength and big time lateral movements helps him defend the 1-4 on the perimeter.
Best rebounder:
Khabri Davis Khabri Davis 6'5" | SF Glenview College Prep | 2021 State AZ (Glenview College Prep)
-His people told me this is a Dennis Rodman type of player. Well, they were spot on. He is a ferocious rebounder with his length, motor, athleticism and desire to get the board.
Most efficient:
Brandon Trilli Brandon Trilli 6'5" | SF Munster | 2023 State IN (Desert Vista)
-He made shots from all 3-levels but did it efficiently. Scored anything around the hoop but also stepped out and made some deep shots at a good rate.
Most likely to run through a wall to make a play:
Will Way Will Way 6'5" | PF Southern Arizona Volunteers - Open | 2023 AZ (Pusch Ridge)
-He may have been on the floor diving more then anyone I have seen in years. He has incredible natural strength with wider shoulders to use his body all over the court to make a play. Fun player to watch!
Most likely to play college basketball and then become a NFL player:
Zereoue Williams Zereoue Williams 6'7" | PF Mountain Pointe | 2021 AZ (Mountain Pointe)
-He has an insane frame/build with length and athleticism. He is in great shape at 6’7 245 and moves so well. He can easily be a professional lineman if he chose to go that route after his college basketball career.
Best motor:
Daryian Matthews Daryian Matthews 6'5" | PF Dysart | 2021 State AZ (Dysart)
-He isn’t that tall at 6’5 but tell the players he played against since he was the one who usually came up with the ball to rebound. He just keeps jumping, keeps pursuing the play no matter where he is on the court.
Best separation from defender:
Isaiah Broady Isaiah Broady 6'8" | PF AZ Compass Prep | 2021 State AZ (Chandler)
-He has one of the those tight crossovers, that if you stay too close to him, he may make you fall or you will be all of a sudden 5-feet away from him. You know it’s coming and yet most were “shook” and he was taking a wide open shot after he created the separation with his handle.
Best feel for the game:
Steven Cervantes Steven Cervantes 5'10" | PG Mesa | 2021 State AZ (Mesa)
-He may be one of the shiftiest guards in state. It is very hard to get a read on if he is going slow, fast, stopping, going, shooting or trying to blow-by you. He is super creative from shooting, scoring and passing.
Best fundamentals for a big:
Calvin Kapral (Woodside-CA)
-“Mr. Fundamentals” was named by Shaq about Tim Duncan. He may not be Tim Duncan but he has a polished right and left hand hook he can make very consistently. He is extremely smart, patient and skilled near the basket. He can also step out and shoot it.
Best teammate:
Zereoue Williams Zereoue Williams 6'7" | PF Mountain Pointe | 2021 AZ (Mountain Pointe)
-Two years in a row now he won my “best teammate” award. Just watch him off the court, he is constantly cheering on his teammates. Then on the court he will run over and pick you up and even a player on another team. He has high character and class.
Breakout players:
Julian Roberts Julian Roberts 6'9" | C Bella Vista Prep | 2022 State AZ (Glenview College Prep)
-I have only seen film on him, but seeing him live made me appreciate his gifts. The lefty has a pure stroke with length and made the Top-20 game.
Anderson Wilson Anderson Wilson 6'4" | SF Phh Prep | 2022 State AZ (South Mountain)
-The aforementioned Wilson was a virtual unknown and made the Top-20 game.
Chase Mayo Harmon Chase Mayo Harmon 6'2" | CG Phhoenix Prep | 2022 State AZ (Deer Valley)
-Coach Dunn is getting a good one here. He transferred over from Centennial and can score from all 3 levels with athleticism. Another unknown player caught my attention in his first game.
Best one game for a senior:
Zayn Kimbrough Zayn Kimbrough 6'2" | CG AZ Compass Prep | 2021 State AZ (AZ Compass Prep)
-Scored 18 points in the Top-20 game with floaters, deep 3’s and pull-ups.
Best one game for a junior:
Luke Kearney Luke Kearney 6'7" | SF Bella Vista Prep | 2022 State AZ (SDO)
-Scored 27 points and 10 rebounds in the non-senior all-star game with 6 3’s, getting to the rim and playing above the basket on the break.
Best one game for a soph:
Andrew Camacho Andrew Camacho 6'1" | CG Peoria | 2023 State AZ (Peoria)
-No official stats (although I think he had 14 points), but was hitting shots from everywhere on the court, dropping dimes and I am still waiting to see someone better at taking charges better then Camacho!