The Arizona Magic Elite 17U are heading into the busy recruiting month of July ready to go, after winning this weekend's Summer Sizzle 17U Tournament Championship at Mesquite High School. The Magic team of 7-players gave a strong team performance in the event, and now these individuals on the team will look to help themselves this month on the club circuit.
The team was led in the tournament by the play of surging 6-foot-6 rising senior wing Elijah Thomas. Thomas was my recipient of the Surprise Player of the Spring, after he emerged during the spring evaluation period as a serious college prospect. Thomas could begin to generate some high major division-I interest this summer.
Dysart High School's 6-foot-11 rising senior post Malik Ondigo has really improved quickly, and the young man is another prospect that should generate loads of recruiting attention this summer. A post player with touch and good athleticism and length. While he still has a long way to go, he is getting very good and will only get better over time with physical maturity.
6-foot-6 rising senior wing Chris Bowling is beginning to play his best basketball again, and also looks primed to gain some serious recruiting attention this July. While Bowling is very thin, he gets a lot done and is very skilled. Over time Bowling could be the steal of the class once he develops physically.
6-foot-7 wing Brandon Whitaker has tremendous upside as a player and would do great with a prep year, but he is a sure-fire young talent that impresses with his length and athleticism. He still has a lot of maturity ahead as well, but he is definitely making nice strides.
Apollo HS 5-foot-11 rising junior guard Holland "Boo-Boo" Woods is a big time ball handler and floor general that is beginning to look like a serious contender for the best pure point guard prospect in the 2017 class. Woods plays with superior confidence and enjoys getting into the lane and creating scoring opportunities for his teammates.
The team also received strong play from Copper Canyon HS rising senior guard Terry Gates and Mesa Mountain View HS 6-foot-5 Zane Juwaiszas. Both players gave excellent depth and teamwork on both ends of the floor. Juwaiszas played strong on the glass and defensively, while Gates was excellent on the defensive end, and offensively in transition.
This Magic team will now travel to California this weekend for the Pangos Summer Sweet 16, and NCAA Certified event that will have many division-I college coaches in attendance. Look for several of these prospects to really benefit nicely from the summer evaluation period.
