Recently, the Arizona Aces Invitational took place at Rio Solado High School in Scottsdale, Arizona. Organized by Arizona Aces club coach Austin Nelms, one of my closest friends in the business, the event was held for free for each of their participants. Nelms raised the money for this year's event, allowing each of the players, coaches, and fans the ability to watch competitive club basketball games, and also eat delicious bar-be-que in between games.
Nelms had almost lost his life just two years ago after complications took place with a previous heart implant. After being in ICU for more than a month and also a coma, Nelms gained recovery of his organs and has since returned to the game of basketball he loves - helping kids and developing Arizona's basketball talent. This year's event was complimentary of Nelms and his gracious attitude towards the basketball culture in Arizona.
Nelms had many good teams in action on the day, led by the performance of the Arizona Magic Elite team, coached by Kenny Mullins. The Magic blew out a talented Planet Athlete prep school team by 30 points in their first game, and then knocked off Westwind Prep's post graduate team in their second game. The Magic were led by the play of Sunnyslope's talented Sammy Thompkins, who will be one of the top recruited prospects in the West this spring. Thompkins shot the basketball extremely well, as usual, and overpowered opposing guards with his strong, athletic body.
Willow Canyon High School's 6-foot-7 senior forward Nick Allen proved why he is regarded as the top available post prospect in the state for the spring. Allen is athletic and gets a lot done each time I see him perform. Allen is very active around the glass, and has advanced footwork and a developed mid-range jump shot, which makes him very effective on the court. If he can qualify this spring, he should continue to receive a nice amount of recruiting interest.
Also playing well for the Magic were Basha's 6-foot-10 junior post Devin Kirby, who has become an elite high major prospect for the 2016 class, and Gilbert's 6-foot-6 junior wing Chris Bowling, who has become the top wing prospect in Arizona's 2016 class.
Planet Athlete's 6-foot-11 prep post Lomaus Brown is a developing talent with a rare combination of size and athleticism. He is still very raw overall as a player, but he has a unique ability to run the floor and finish strong at the rim - often times, high above the rim over defenders. As Brown develops his offensive skills in the post and also low-post footwork, he will become a formidable post prospect. Many high-major division-I programs will be in hot pursuit of him this spring - the state's top available post prospect.
6-foot-4 junior point guard Ashante Patterson showed very well on the day in the two games I saw him play with Planet Athlete. Patterson, who recently left Hillcrest Prep Academy in Scottsdale, according to the Planet Athlete coaches, is a strong, well-built guard prospect with a nice handle of the basketball and an ability to make plays for himself off the dribble. He also sees the floor fairly well and would seem to play well as his competition rises. Patterson is a solid mid-major prospect.
Apollo High School showed very well in this year's event, as the team played very well with a band of guards that proved to be very good. One guard prospect proved to be one of the best guard prospects in the state - 5-foot-9 sophomore guard prospect Holland Woods Jr. Known as "Boo Boo," this young man is a superior guard talent with an excellent feel for the game, and strong perimeter skills, allowing him to go anywhere he wants to on the floor. Woods is now regarded by our staff as one of the top guard prospects in Arizona's 2017 class, after his recent performances as of late.
Also emerging on the day was Westwind Prep's 6-foot-4 senior guard Ted MccRee (pictured). A product of Detroit's Renaissance High School, MccRee is a versatile guard prospect with good size and a nice overall skill level. He is able to make plays off the dribble and finish in the lane with good prowess, and plays with a chip on his shoulder. MccRee will play for Westwind's high school and prep school teams this season - gaining valuable experience against top-rated prep talent and thrashing Arizona's high school competition. A good low to mid-major prospect.
