2025 Showcase standouts: Part-2
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On Friday Mach 12th I attended Justin Vargas 2025 Showcase at the Phhacility and the Cream of the Crop Showcase at AZ Compass Prep on Saturday March 13th. This was my first real look at the 8th graders or soon to…
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Continue ReadingOn Friday Mach 12th I attended Justin Vargas 2025 Showcase at the Phhacility and the Cream of the Crop Showcase at AZ Compass Prep on Saturday March 13th.
This was my first real look at the 8th graders or soon to be freshman in August against each other.
At first glance it seems like a strong group. Maybe not the size of 2024 yet, but a little more skill and possibly more stars at the top. Obviously after 4 years it will play itself out.
Here was my next-17 I viewed:
The high schools listed are possible destinations that the players think they will attend in. Some are fully undecided.
Tracy Kalonda PF 6’3 2025 Dream City Christian (Zone-6)
-A physical forward loves getting downhill and seeking contact to score. He can hit perimeter jumper but is mostly attacking the basket. He rebounds the ball easy and plays with energy.
Dasean Middlebrook PF 6’3 2025 Gilbert (Norman Powell Elite)
-A defensive stud with a high motor. He has long arms to play bigger then his height suggests. He can improve his skill level but he can rip through and score plus he lives on the offensive glass for put backs.
Brennan Peterson Brennan Peterson 6'0" | PG Notre Dame Prep | 2025 State AZ undecided AZ Storm Black)
-A pure shooter who can In and out dribble and get by his defender. His catch-3 and pull-up are tough to defend. He has a nice floater game and has a good feel for the game.
Zaire Richardson SG 5’6 2025 Gilbert (Norman Powell Elite)
-A quick undersized guard who can get hot quickly. He likes the catch-3 but uses his speed to get into the lane and and score with his left or right hand.
Tristan Kwasnik PF 6’4 2025 Desert Vista
-A burly framed forward can play inside and out. The lefty can shoot the 3pt shot plus bang inside and score on put backs. He rebounds well using his girth and strength.
Jordan Lee PG 5’7 2025 Corona del Sol (Arizona Saints)
-A pure PG can drive and kick and makes his teammates better. He is an unselfish player and is always surveying the scene. He can score it from the 3pt line and drive the lane.
Rhys Walcott SG 5’10 2025 Eastmark (Uptempo Hoops)
-A tough and stronger guard can score it from all levels. He has the euro step once he gets into the lane and will make difficult layups in traffic. He can hit the catch-3 and is tough on the ball defensively with his strong frame/build.
Lex Clontz F 6’3 2025 Cesar Chavez (Uptempo Hoops)
-A face-up shooter has deep 3pt range. He has a sturdy frame and can get hot quickly with a nice looking stroke. He rebounds well in his area and plays a smart game.
JT Amundsen CG 5’6 2025 Millennium (AZ Battle)
-The son of a coach plays that cerebral game to go along with his deep shooting. He moves without the ball but also can handle it decently and plays a smart floor game. He takes good shots and usually spots up to shoot it. He can get into the lane and use the floater as well.
Ayden Madi SF 5’11 2025 Brophy Prep (Uptempo Hoops)
-A spot up shooter who has a nice looking stoke. He can hit the 3pt shot with range. He gets it off his hand in a blink of an eye and he also can drive the lane and use the floater.
John Mattingly John Mattingly 6'0" | PG Sunnyslope | 2026 State AZ Brophy Prep (Monstarz) (Pictured)
-A top-notch 2026 pure PG has a lot to like. He can score it with the catch-3, floater and runners. Advanced passer, drive and kick and seems to always make the correct read/pass. The ball gets out of his hands effortlessly. He gets by you by changing speeds and his IQ is off the charts. Has that old school feel for the game of being under control and poised.
Rocket Schwertley Rocket Schwertley 6'5" | PF Brophy Prep | 2026 State AZ Brophy Prep (Monstarz)
-The big man can shoot it from deep. He has a huge IQ and uses his girth and strength to rebound the ball. He is best with the pick and pop game. He is another very good 2026 player.
Dalton Dunnett PF 6’4 2025 undecided (AZ Battle)
-A longer forward can score it from inside and out. He can hit the 3 plus handle the ball and get to the basket. He works well in the paint and is an active rebounder.
Shooters to track:
Ryan Burbach SG 5’10 2025 Brophy Prep (Uptempo Hoops)
-He has good size for an 8th grade guard and once he squares to the basket, he is money. The high academic guard is taking his game to the Broncos.
Cezer Sotomayor CG 5’8 2025 Chandler
-An undersized guard has one of the quicker releases. He has one of those strokes that look good on every attempt. He has good speed with the ball in his hands.
Damian Castro PG 5’6 2025 Millennium (AZ Battle)
-A cerebral guard can play on or off the ball. He can shoot it from the 3pt line plus get into the lane. The son of a coach has a big IQ you would expect.
Kingston Porch W 6’1 2025 undecided (Arizona Saints)
-A long wing can shoot it from deep. The lefty had some special moments but just needs more consistency moving forward. He looks the part and moves fluidly.