Phoenix Phall Phace-Off: Junior standouts
September 18-20 I attended Justin Vargas Phoenix Phall Phace-Off. The AAU event had 15U-17U divisions with 4-5 teams in each division. The teams that competed in the event that I viewed were: AZ Firestorm 2023, 2022 and 2021 AZ Legends…
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Continue ReadingSeptember 18-20 I attended Justin Vargas Phoenix Phall Phace-Off.
The AAU event had 15U-17U divisions with 4-5 teams in each division.
The teams that competed in the event that I viewed were:
AZ Firestorm 2023, 2022 and 2021
AZ Legends 2022
AZ Prime 2022 and 2021
AZ Select 2023 UAA
AZ Supreme 2023 EYB
AZ Tucson Select 2022
NM D1 2023 UAA
PAL Elite 2021
The Show 2022 and 2021
Tucson Prospects 2021
Here were some of the junior standouts I viewed:
Elijah Saunders Elijah Saunders 6'8" | PF Sunnyslope | 2022 State AZ Sunnyslope (The Show 2022)
-The steadiest performer of the weekend was definitely Saunders. He grabs every rebound near him and works hard on both ends of the court. He is a high level shooter for his position and size. He seems to get more athletic and made a few explosive plays. His consistency with his game makes him so attractive.
Nathan Calmese Nathan Calmese 6'2" | PG Mesquite | 2022 State AZ Mesquite (AZ Legends 2022)
-Not many more gifted guards in the local AZ group then him. He scores it from all 3 levels and makes it look easy. He has a next level burst and just seems to coast out on the court and then he makes a sudden move and dusts his defender. He elevates in the lane to score through or around traffic and has the pull-up plus can get hot very quickly. He scored 33 in one game with four 3’s made. His floater is tough and his handle, speed and creativity make him a tough cover.
Trey Phillips Trey Phillips 6'6" | PF Brophy College Prep | 2022 State AZ Brophy Prep (AZ Legends 2022)
-The top defender at the event has great length and athleticism. He is versatile to defend the post players then move his feet in space defending guards. He sent around four shots away per game and is a threat to block or alter shots out of his area at any time. He also had six steals vs The Show’s stacked roster. He is a natural driver with a good handle for a forward and can shoot it from elbow and in.
Oakland Fort Oakland Fort 5'9" | PG Sunnyslope | 2022 State AZ Sunnyslope (The Show 2022) (Pictured)
-An explosive scoring lead guard is true 3-level scorer. He flies in the open court and uses his video game like vertical and real speed to attack the rim. His pull-up is always clean and his 3-ball is looking good. His on-ball D may be one of the best in the class using his athletic gifts and strength. He is more of a natural scorer than that pure facilitator at this stage of his career but he can still do both.
Lareon Ginnis Lareon Ginnis 5'9" | PG AZ Compass Prep | 2022 State AZ South Mountain (The Show 2022)
-A blur in the open court is a true two-way player. He is a ball hawk on defense with his supreme lateral quickness and is a top rebounder for position using his 6’4 wingspan and speed to be a pest on the ball. He gets into small spaces and can dissect a defense and makes plays for his teammates. He is mostly a downhill scorer with his burst and quick first step but is an incredible FT shooter despite not attempting many outside shots.
Anthony Jaramillo Anthony Jaramillo 5'10" | CG Mountain Pointe | 2022 State AZ Mountain Pointe (Firestorm 2022)
-A natural scorer was scorching hot this weekend. He was bombing away from downtown and many were with deep range. He has a quick release and has supreme confidence. He has a good burst to get passed his defender and uses the floater smartly to score in the paint.
Reed Shuey Reed Shuey 6'5" | PF Gilbert | 2022 State AZ Gilbert (AZ Prime 2022)
-What you see is what you get from Shuey. He puts his hard hat on each game and will battle you inside for position and rebound. He is easily one of the stronger forwards in the class locally and plays to his strengths. He rebounds, outlets the ball well and will score with his back to the basket. He carves himself out space to score on post moves and hook shots.