The All-Arizona Showcase & Combine took place on Sunday at the very nice Avondale Sports Complex. With more than 150 different prospects in action on the day from each of the high school classes (freshmen through seniors), the event was well attended and gave our staff an opportunity to see many of the state's best basketball prospects in one venue - before the spring evaluation period.
Arizona Varsity's John and Dutch Perryman teamed up again with Ron Coleman of the Southwest Showcase and, once again, put on a classy event for Arizona basketball enthusiasts to enjoy. This format is very nice as prospects go through drills, combine activities and also get an opportunity to compete against one another - all within less than a full day of action. This event makes it very easy for scouts like myself to see a lot of prospects at one time (with four fullcourts under one roof).
I was in attendance for much of the day's game action, and, while I was unable to see everyone compete on the day, I saw much of the action and left with some impressions from the event. While rosters for the event were not available or atleast I was unable to find them, here are the top performers that I witnessed throughout the day ...
Zylan Cheatum 6-7 Sophomore Small Forward South Mountain HS - 2014
- Cheatum had a coming-out-party on the day and showcased his skillsets - proving that he is a special talent and among the state's elite prospects, regardless of class. Cheatum won the event's dunk contest on the day in fine fashion, after an impressive dunk just inside the free-throw line. This young man is just now beginning to grow into his long, thin frame and has gotten much stronger and more coordinated as of late. He is a glaring talent and made it look easy on the day - scoring nicely in transition and also in the half-court set. Has really improved his jump shot and ability to make plays off the dribble. Quickly becoming an elite high-major prospect.
TK Edogi 6-7 Senior Power Forward Valley Vista HS - 2012
Edogi has progressed nicely over the past year and has become one of the state's most sought after targets this spring. After a very good senior season, Edogi continued his strong play this past weekend amongst senior competition - proving that he is very tough to deal with, as a result of his size and athleticism. He is relentless around the basket and is an excellent finisher. Still improving his ability to shoot the basketball from the perimeter, but his ability to run the floor and play above the rim make him a difficult match-up. Still has some work to do on his college entrance examination to become eligible, and, if he does, he will see loads of college recruitment.
Jalen Richards 6-4 Junior Shooting Guard Poston Butte HS - 2013
Richards has quickly emerged as one of the state's very best overall prospects in the junior class. A serious athlete with a high motor, Richards has added maturity, size and strength since the start to the high school season. Richards shoots the basketball with regularity and under defensive pressure, while being an excelelnt slasher and finisher at the rim. Excels in the open floor and has developed into a legitimate mid-major plus prospect.
Jeremy Verhagen 6-10 Junior Center Florence HS - 2013
Verhagen measured out at 6-10 this weekend, so he is definitely still growing a great deal and could become closer to 7-feet when it is all said and done. He has gotten much stronger physically since I last saw him in late October, and, while he still has much room for growth, he is maturing nicely and is one of the state's best prospects overall - simply because you do not find many post players with his size and agility. As he continues to mature phycically and get stronger and add weight, this young man will become an absolute force. Blocks or alters shots at a high rate and runs the floor. Excellent potential.
Derrick Bowers 6-3 Senior Shooting Guard St. Mary's HS - 2012
Bowers has to be happy that his high school season is over, since his program struggled this season, and also since now he can return to doing what he does best - running, playing in the open floor and dominating showcases. Bowers is among the most athletic talents in the West, and he enjoys the running and dunking that is presented with showcase events. Still undecided on a college home, this spring will be big for this athletic demon. A big-time sleeper prospect with mid-major division-I potential.
Maurice Kirby 6-9 Junior Power Forward/Center Basha HS - 2013
Kirby loves the game of basketball, which is a very nice attribute for any true post player these days. He runs the floor with passion for the game and always has an excellent attitude. While his development as a player has not progressed as fast as many thought it would have, he continues to improve physically and is working hard on his skillsets. It will be very interesting this time around to see just where Kirby lands after decomitting from the Arizona State Sun Devils more than a year ago. This spring and summer will be very big in his decision.
Vamba Donzo 6-5 Senior Small Forward Glendale HS - 2012
Donzo is a definite sleeper prospect that many have not seen much of or heard of, but this young man is definitely among the better sleeper prospects in the state. A very athletic wing prospect that thrives in the open floor. Donzo is still a bit raw offensivel, so he will need to continue to develop his perimeter skills and judgement before he reaches his full potential as a player, but his size and ability to slash and finish are worthy of low to mid major potential. May need to head the junior college route first before moving on.
Damien Mondoza 6-5 Junior Small Forward Sierra Linda HS - 2013
Mendoza is coming off a very good breakout junior season, where he flourished and led his team to a strong finish on the season. A high-rising athletic talent that thrives in the open floor and uses excellent body control to make plays many cannot. Has excellent quickness for his size and tremendous upside. Still needs to get stronger physically and add muscle to his frame to reach his full potential as a player, as well as make him a better rebounder and finisher around the paint. This spring and summer will be big for him.
Lyrik Shreiner 6-3 Sophomore Shooting Guard Glendale HS - 2014
Shreiner has developed quickly into a very nice talent that has excellent potential and promise as a college prospect. His athleticism and ability to make plays for himself and others off the dribble are nice features to his game, and he has developed a very nice shooting stroke with range, and also developed his mid-range game as well. Shreiner currently ranks among the best prospects in Arizona's 2014 class, and while many do not know the name, he should become a nice target in the near future. Bright future ahead.
Tre Ogles 6-2 Senior Shooting Guard Deer Valley HS - 2012
Ogles is a nice sleeper prospect that has exceptional athleticism and is capable of playing either guard position on the floor. He finishes very strong at the rim and makes plays many his size cannot. A very good slasher and open court player, with a good shooting stroke out to three-point distance. A nice pick-up for a msaller college program trying to build their athleticism.
Khari Holloway 6-2 Junior Shooting Guard Mountain Pointe HS - 2013
Holloway is coming off a breakout season for himself - leading Mountain Pointe to a 15-13 overall record on the season and last year's Horizon Invitational Championship. Had a big junior campaign and will look to have a good spring and summer for himself. A strong guard prospect that slashes and is a good finisher. A solid shooter with a very good mid-range game and the son of a coach. Has very good overall toughness as a player and competes hard on both ends of the floor.
Romano Bottini 6-1 Sophomore Shooting Guard Brophy Prep HS - 2014
Bottini had one of his better events as he shot the basketball exceptionally well on the day. In fact, he shot it so well that he earned the title in this year's 3-point contest - knocking down a barrage of three-pointers in the competition. Possessing a left-handed shooting stroke, Bottini has a nice shooting stroke with range and competes hard on both ends of the floor. A very good defender that plays with a purpose.
Edgar Sarmiento 5-11 Junior Point Guard Sierra Linda HS - 2013
Sarmiento is a strong, compact point guard prospect that has a very good handle of the basketball and make plays for himself or others almost at will, since he is a good penetrator that gets low to the ground. A good finisher as well. Has a good shooting stroke. Shot selection can be questionable at times, so he will need to continue to work hard to make other players around him better. Good defender that has very good toughness.
Brody Sharkey 5-11 Sophomore Point Guard Peoria HS - 2014
Sharkey sat out his sophomore season at Peoria HS after transferring schools after last season at Independence HS. Since last season he has grown some and still has an offensive skill level that makes him very difficult to defend one-one-one. His shooting stroke and nice, slick handle are big time, and he can create his own shot at will. Still developing his point guard skillsets and his promise as a lock-down defender, but he will have a big junior season next year at Peoria. Bright future ahead of him.
Erik Crawford 6-2 Senior Shooting Guard Gilbert HS - 2012
Crawford was a nice surprise on the day, as he is a nice looking shooting guard prospect with a very good body and excellent length for his frame - possessing long arms and very good athleticism. Was a major factor this season for a Gilbert HS team that finished strong in the Division-I Class and posted a 21-7 overall record on the season. Crawford is another very good sleeper prospect that needs some serious attention, as he shoots the basketball very well with range and an effortless release on his shot. He is also a very good finisher in the open floor. Also an amazing student with a 4.53 CUM GPA and a 32 on his ACT and a 1330 on the SAT.
Micah Behrens 5-11 Senior Point Guard Moon Valley HS - 2012
It is unreal that Moon Valley HS had a very dismal 1-24 overall record this season, because this young man is a player. Behrens is a strong, stocky point guard prospect with a very good shooting stroke with range and a quick release. he makes good decisions with the basketball in his hands and is a good penetrator. A definite sleeper prospect that should see success at the division-II level or in the junior college ranks before moving on. Plays with good toughness and has a great attitude on the floor.
