The 19th annual Arizona Preps Fall Showcase took place this past weekend on the campus of AZ Compass Prep and was filled with many talented prospects for this year's event - of all ages (high school and middle school). The event was loaded with up-and-coming basketball talent for the state, and there were many top performers on the day.
After the completion of the event, our staff selected different individuals in the event for their efforts, and the "Top Surprise Performer" from this year's event was Buckeye High School's 6-foot-1 sophomore guard Ty Bootheman. The "Top Surprise Performer" goes to the individual that performs at the highest level in the event, but was an unknown or unheralded prospect before the event. Bootheman was well worthy of this honor after his performance in this weekend's Showcase.
Bootheman was an unknown prospect by our staff before this weekend's event, but that quickly changed after Bootheman immediately took the floor on Saturday. Bootheman is a young combo-guard prospect with a very nice offensive skillset that allows him to make plays for himself and others at a high rate. He is an excellent shooter of the basketball with unlimited range and a very pure shooting stroke that allows him to make shots consistently, even with defenders draped all over him. Bootheman actually made as many as (7) three-pointers in one game in the event.
Bootheman is much more of a scorer at this point in his young career, but he is capable of playing both guard positons on the floor. He is at his best though when shooting the basketball, so he will need to develop in his ability to become a playmaker over time over time. But what he does well, he does very well - shoot the basketball and score the basketball off the dribble. He is a very good finisher in the lane and is able to make plays in traffic, over bigger defenders with a variety of floaters. He is a good ball handler and passer as well, but really focuses on scoring the basketball, so that may determine his level of college over time.
Defensively, Bootheman has very good athleticism and lateral quickness, which allows him to play passing lanes. He has quick hands and feet and is able to stay in front of his man - a very good one-one-defender.
I look forward to watching Bootheman develop as a player, and ultimately as a college prospect over time. This young man proved this weekend that he definitely has what it takes to become a serious college prospect over time.
