You have not heard from me in a little while, as I very much needed to take some time off - away from basketball, as I mulled over my life and my immediate plans for my future. I recently realized that I am now entering my 30th season of covering Arizona high school basketball, and also my 30th year overall in the business. With such a milestone in my basketball life taking place, it caused me to reconsider my current path in life and evaluate how to move forward as my life progresses. I have operated a business and worked full-time in a demanding bank job for (3) years now, while trying to provide opportunities for Arizona's youth, and it has certainly taken it's toll on me physically and mentally over time. While I have certainly been re-energized by the state's AIA Open Division each basketball season, the opportunity to have more time with my family and friends in the future is certainly attractive.
As a result, I will definitely make some changes to my work life and the Arizona Preps website in the future, and will communicate those changes to our subscribers very soon. In the meantime, as I enter my 30th high school basketball season, I am very excited about the present state and future of Arizona basketball. In my State of the Union address of sorts, Arizona basketball is at the height of it's young career and is very strong. As of late, the state has consistently produced top-rated NBA talent year after year, and is now considered as a true hotbed for basketball talent in the country, while also having the best collection of prep school programs in the country as well. I never that I would see the day when Arizona basketball would become so highly regarded nationally. Today, everyone wants to come to Arizona and set up shop, as our state is hot, and not just the temperature this summer.
As I prepare for my 30th high school basketball season, I remember a time when Arizona's very best players and prospects barely got recruited. When the majority of the state's elite talent went to one of our then (13) junior colleges, while the state averaged a mere five to ten Division-I scholarship athletes per year. Today, Arizona prospects are seeing much higher and stronger college recruitment consistently. While the NCAA Transfer Portal has definitely stifled this progress for many high school prospects, the very best prospects receive loads of college recruitment and interest in this state. Top-rated basketball prospects in the state now are included in the national rankings by ESPN and other scouting outlets consistently.
As I prepare for my 30th high school basketball season, I think back to the time when we didn't even have a three-point line in Arizona basketball. Until recently, we also didn't have a shot-clock. Arizona basketball was behind the times among other states across the country, and for many years. Today, the Open Division State Playoffs and events such as the Section 7 have taken Arizona high school basketball to completely another level, in both the AIA and CAA Organizations.
As I prepare for my 30th high school basketball season, I now look at how the basketball landscape has now changed in Arizona basketball forever, as the AIA approved NIL opportunities for their student-athletes - another fact that I did not believe would ever happen in this state - proving just how much Arizona is now trying to keep pace with the nation. Arizona is no longer behind the times, but today has become a trend setter behind the innovation created by the prep school programs in the state, such as top-rated AZ Compass Prep in Chandler, Arizona. AZ Compass Prep received a #1 national ranking previously and numerous times, as well as the exploits by Hillcrest Prep, Dream City Christian Prep, Bella Vista Prep and PHH Prep, which consistently each year soar to new heights.
Today, also there are many club programs across the state that now provide opportunities for Arizona and boarding state's youth. With so many club programs today in the state, there are so many more options for Arizona's top prospects to play for. With the development of top-rated shoe programs, such as AZ Unity (Nike) and AZ Select (Under Armour), top-rated Arizona prospects no longer have to leave the state for exposure opportunities. While some top-rated prospects still have chosen to do so, they now have options.
The next and final step now will be to see the progression and advancement of the state's junior college ranks. Arizona junior college basketball was once the provider of recruiting opportunities for Arizona prospects, but the exposure to college programs has dwindled over the years, as prep school prospects began to saturate the recruiting market. Today, due to the demand for college transfers (NCAA Transfer Portal), and also the decrease in recruiting of high school prospects by four-year colleges, and today junior colleges are now making a big comeback. This summer was an excellent indication, as top-rated juco events held it down in the final weeks of the July Evaluation Period. Division-I college coaches flooded the gyms for several juco events in Arizona in July.
I began my career as a basketball scout in this state in 1995 when I was a mere (22) years of age. I have watched this state's basketball culture develop since I grew up in the state in the 1970's. Today, Arizona basketball and the opportunities it creates today for our student-athletes is very much improved and on the rise. Our best prospects can compete with any of the nation's top prospects. It's a new day in Arizona. While I will have a lot to consider for my ultimate future in Arizona basketball, as I enter my 30th season, with or without me, the train has now left the station for the rise of Arizona basketball.
