Maryvale High School's 5-foot-10 senior point guard Adrian “Ace” Stubbs continues to make waves as one of the top scorers in the country this season. Currently averaging an eye-popping 24.8 points, 7.4 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 5.3 steals per/game, Stubbs is not only lighting up the scoreboard, but has also transformed Maryvale into a formidable contender every night.
In a recent standout performance against Mountain Ridge High School, Stubbs erupted for 48 points, 15 rebounds, 8 assists, and 9 steals, leading his team to a 92-78 victory. It was easily the top performance of the year by any high school prospect in the state. Stubbs has helped lead his Maryvale ballclub to a 7-6 overall record this season, and they are coming off a narrow 72-65 road loss to a good Liberty High School program. Last season, Stubbs helped Maryvale to a big upset win over Liberty last season in the state playoffs.
Stubbs has brought back life to a program and a community that needs him and respects him highly. As a result, "Ace" and his Maryvale teammates have risen above any negative energy in their community, and turned it into an extreme positive, as this team believes they can beat anyone, and they can. Head Coach Jeremy Smith and his staff have also been instrumental in this ascension by the basketball program. Maryvale High School has seen its share of standout athletes over the years, and now Stubbs is writing his name into that legacy. He’s made Maryvale a serious 6A contender, and has given his Maryvale teammates a renewed confidence and swagger.
Stubbs has drawn attention from a large number of college programs, as a result of his performance also throughout the spring and summer with his Factory club program, coached by Kenny Mullins. While competing on the Puma NXTPRO club circuit, Stubbs earned NXTPRO Tournament MVP honors after leading his Factory program to a tournament championship.
Stubbs currently holds an offer from Embry-Riddle University, while numerous Division-I schools continue to closely follow his progress. As spring approaches, those offers are expected to multiply, because his talent is simply too impressive to overlook. He’s an exceptional ball handler, a lethal scorer, and a defensive menace who elevates his teammates. Stubbs has more than proven his value as a college prospect, so it should just be a matter of time for his recruitment to take shape.
As he continues his senior campaign, I’ll be following Ace’s journey closely, tracking his rise and his college recruitment as it unfolds. Without a doubt, he’s a name and a player who’s set to leave a lasting mark on Arizona basketball forever.
Arizona Preps Scouting Report: Stubbs is a very unique guard prospect that has a gift as a player and playmaker. His exploits on the basketball court are tremendous and unique to the game, as he plays with a true passion and love for the game. He is intense on the court, on both ends of the floor, and is a focused, two-way player. As a result, his size does not limit him, as he competes very hard and plays much bigger than his size suggests. He is a serious ball handler and passer that has an excellent feel for the game. With the ball in his hands, he is a magician of sorts and is absolutely a joy to watch perform. He makes players around him better and pushes the ball up the floor to the open man. He is an excellent scorer for his size, and is able to score from all (3) levels. His ability to create off the dribble is immense also, and he can make plays for himself and others, almost at will. A strong rebounder from the guard position, and an excellent on-the-ball defender that plays to win and with a purpose. An excellent sleeper guard prospect that competes at a high level and loves the game.
