Every summer, a handful of prospects emerge seemingly out of nowhere to capture the attention of college coaches from across the country. This summer, one of those players is Liberty High School's talented 6-foot-10 rising senior post Milton Phinnessee III. The 6-10 post talent has become one of the biggest breakout stories in Arizona basketball, after a strong spring performance on the club circuit, and also at the prestigious Section 7 Tournament, where he established himself as one of the top sleeper prospects in the entire event. Before Section 7, Phinnessee was relatively unknown on the recruiting scene. After Section 7, college coaches quickly began taking notice. His outstanding play immediately resulted in a Division-I scholarship offer from the University of San Diego and its new coaching staff, and it appears to be only the beginning of what should become a very active recruiting period.
No player in Arizona may have improved more over the past year than Milton Phinnessee III. His remarkable development is a direct reflection of his tremendous work ethic, positive attitude and commitment to becoming a better basketball player.
Much of that credit belongs to Liberty High School Head Coach Mark Wood, Arizona Preps’ 2026 Coach of the Year, whose ability to develop players has become one of the defining characteristics of Liberty’s championship program.
According to Coach Wood, there was a time when Phinnessee struggled with conditioning and could barely run the floor or consistently catch the basketball. Today, he has developed into one of Arizona’s premier post prospects and a serious Division-I prospect. That transformation did not happen overnight. It came through countless hours of work, dedication and a willingness to improve every aspect of his game.
Phinnessee has also benefited tremendously from his development with legendary club coach Kenny Mullins while playing for The Factory, one of Arizona’s premier grassroots basketball programs. I first had the opportunity to watch Phinnessee in April, while competing with The Factory during a local event at Sunnyslope High School organized by highly respected Tournament Director Dinos Trigonis. Even then, it was obvious something special was beginning to develop. Phinnessee was one of the standout performers during that event, and that momentum carried directly into Section 7, where he raised eyebrows throughout the weekend with his outstanding play against elite competition.
Last season, Liberty captured the 6A State Championship, while finishing with a 22-9 overall record on the season. Although Phinnessee played a supporting role on that veteran team, he now enters his senior season expected to become one of the cornerstones of Liberty’s program. His continued improvement has earned that opportunity.
Standing 6-foot-10 with an excellent frame, Phinnessee possesses tremendous physical tools that continue to improve. He runs the floor exceptionally well for his size, has soft hands, excellent feet, and continues to refine his low-post footwork. Around the basket, he has become a strong and confident finisher who plays through contact while continuing to develop offensively.
Perhaps even more impressive than his physical abilities is the attitude he brings every day. Phinnessee is an outstanding teammate who plays with tremendous energy, humility, and enthusiasm. Coach Mark Wood speaks very highly of him, and it is easy to understand why. His commitment to improvement has completely changed the trajectory of his basketball career. What once appeared to be a developmental project has rapidly become one of Arizona’s most intriguing recruiting stories.
This July, Phinnessee will continue showcasing his talents while playing for both Liberty High School and The Factory during the NCAA Live Evaluation periods. I fully expect numerous Division-I programs to begin following him closely.
Next season, Phinnessee will team with one of Arizona’s elite young prospects, 6-foot-6 rising sophomore Trevin Davis, giving Liberty one of the most intriguing frontcourt-backcourt combinations in the state. Together, they should help position the Lions to make another serious run at a 6A State Championship.
Milton Phinnessee III represents everything that is great about high school athletics. His story is proof that hard work, perseverance, great coaching, and belief in yourself can completely change your future. Only a few months ago, very few college coaches knew his name. Today, Division-I programs are lining up to evaluate one of Arizona’s fastest-rising senior prospects.
I expect Milton Phinnessee III to become one of the hottest recruiting stories throughout the month of July, and I will continue following both his development and his college recruitment closely, while bringing Arizona Preps' readers updates as they continue to unfold.
