The 16th Annual Arizona Preps Fall Showcase was held this weekend in exciting fashion, as much of the state's best basketball talent came together at Sandra Day O'Connor High School. Our staff would first of all like to thank the school staff and head coach Matt King for his hospitality for this year's event! The staff and everyone involved were more than gracious.
With much of the state's top talent coming together for the event, the high level competition in the event would not disappoint as top performances were turned in each hour by a multitude of prospects. While there were an ample amount of strong performances, no player in the event impressed more than Sunnyslope High School's superb 6-foot-3 senior guard Sammy Thompkins - earning Thompkins this year's Tournament Most Valuable Player Award.
Thompkins played with superior confidence in this year's event, while also displaying terrific sportmanship and a great attitude in the event. His play on the court was advanced and he showed his continued development as an elite prospect. Thompkins shot the basketball extremely well, and also finished extremely strong at the basket.
After an extremely impressive spring and summer performance for himself, Thompkins generated loads of college attention and scholarship offers. After mulling over his current recruiting options, Thompkins decided to forgo the fall evaluation period, and move to signing during the late signing period.
Thompkins currently has received a scholarship offers from Mississippi State, Rice, San Jose State University, Sam Houston, Cal Poly and UC-Davis. He is also receiving strong interest from such schools as Michigan, Oregon State, St. Johns, Gonzaga, Iowa State, Washington State, Nebraska, Tulsa, Nevada, Grand Canyon, Saint Mary’s, Cal-State Northridge, Mississippi State, Pepperdine, Weber State and Northern Arizona, among many others.
Thompkins is also coming off an excellent club season, while leading his club program to numerous strong finishes. In the process he led his club team to an upset win over the nation’s #1 team, the New Jersey Playaz (2014 Nike Peach Jam Champions).
He also ranked as the tournament’s second leading scorer at the prestigious invite-only Pangos All-American Camp, which brought together many of the top prospects in the country for a weekend battle in front of numerous college scouts and media. In the event, Thompkins emerged as a high-major quality guard, and one of the elite guard prospects in the West. Thompkins would explode in this year’s event – averaging 19+ points per/game in the camp. Thompkins would get selected among the Top 60 campers in the event and earning an all-star invitation as a result of his efforts.
Thompkins’ nice development as a point guard has become a major factor in his college recruitment, after he had a terrific junior season for Sunnyslope High School. After transferring to the program after a strong sophomore season at Marana HS in Tucson, Thompkins came up huge for head coach Ray Portela, playing big all season for the Vikings and leading the team to a very impressive season. Thompkins was the team’s leading scorer – averaging 22.7 points, 3.3 assists, 5 rebounds and 2.2 steals per/game.
The son of former college standout Gary Thompkins, who played at Iowa State, Thompkins already possesses a college-ready body at such a young age. Thompkins’ physical size, strength and shooting stroke are glaring attributes for him as a college prospect. He is also capable of playing both guard positions on the floor, which makes him a versatile prospect and valuable to his team.
Look for Thompkins to be the state’s hottest unsigned prospect in the spring, and land a big scholarship offer.