Arizona MLK Classic Recap: Top Floor Generals
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The MLK Classic took place at the Arizona Grand Ballroom from January 16th through January 18th. Hosted by recruiting legend, Gerry Freitas, the event featured grassroots programs from Washington, California, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. It also featured several high-level…
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Continue ReadingThe MLK Classic took place at the Arizona Grand Ballroom from January 16th through January 18th. Hosted by recruiting legend, Gerry Freitas, the event featured grassroots programs from Washington, California, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. It also featured several high-level PG’s. In this article, we take a look at the top Floor Generals from the event.
Ariya Briscoe 6’0 Team Lavine (WA) 2021 (featured image) – I waited a while to see Briscoe shoot the ball, and it was worth the wait. The lefty showed good form, knocking down a 3 in catch and shoot action. That was important because he was dope at everything else. Briscoe spent the day getting paint touches and finishing at the rim.
DJ Thomas DJ Thomas 6'2" | PG Liberty | 2024 #19 Nation NV 6’0 West Coast Rebels 2024 (#1PHN 2024) – It goes like this when Thomas is playing. I walk into the gym (fan) – “Who is the kid on the Rebels?” (Me) – Point Guard? (fan) – “Yes”. (Me) – Lefty? (fan) Yes. (Me) “ DJ Thomas DJ Thomas 6'2" | PG Liberty | 2024 #19 Nation NV ” (fan) What school he going to? (Me) He’s got offers from UNLV and LSU (fan) That’s it? (Me) – He’s only a freshman. After the fan picks his jaw up off the floor, I explain to him that Thomas is one of the top freshmen in the nation. The same thing played out this weekend as the lefty knifed through defenders, buried 3’s, and dropped dimes.
Gabriel Gonzales 6’3 Cooper Institute (CA) 2021 – Gonzales wasn’t flashy but he was efficient. A prototypical big guard, Gonzales took smaller guards into the post and scored. He played with good pace, never getting sped up. He showed a slick handle and the ability to handle against pressure.
Jordan Smalls 5’9 West Coast Prep (WA) 2020 – Smalls can straight up go. One of the top jitterbug PG’s Smalls was impossible to stay in front of. He got consistent paint touches and showed some nice shooting ability behind the arc. Smalls was an eye-opener this weekend, proving to be one of the top sleepers at the event.
Lareon Ginnis 5’9 TMP (AZ) 2022 (#26PHA 2022) – When Ginnis makes up his mind to get to the rim, there’s nothing anyone can do. He has quick COD’s, and then it’s one move and he’s out. He finished nicely above bigs and brought it on the defensive end as well, overall it was a solid showing from the pg who holds multiple D1 offers.
Aiden Mahaney 6’3 Team Grrr 2022 (#2PHNC 2022) – My apologies to Mahaney, I’ve been calling him a combo, he’s all point guard. Mahaney played at a different pace than everyone else this weekend. It was almost as if he was watching the game in slow motion. Mahaney glided into the lane, casually hit 3’s all while keeping his teammates involved in the games. All in a day’s work for the UCLA recruit.