The 14th Annual Arizona Preps Fall Showcase was very hyped up with 5 national scouts in attendance and 3 Arizona scouts on hand as well.
On October 26th at Inspire Courts in Gilbert, the play on the courts didn’t let anyone down. The talent level of the players in the massive facility was the highest in the state this year. There were 120 boys competing on 12 teams along with the 2 best players in state - Dobson's Jaron Hopkins and Mesa Mountain View's Payton Dastrup.
After watching 3 games by each player, here were the top 40 High School players on how well they performed plus one 8th grader - beginning with the top prospects in the 2013 senior class ...
Arizona Preps Fall Showcase Class of 2013 Top Performers
Jaron Hopkins SG 6’5” Dobson HS (Univ. of Colorado commit) - Jaron had one of those special days on defense all day. He was playing the passing lanes and managed to compile around 10 steals in only 3 games. Once he had a steal, he took it all the way for a spectacular dunk. He had easily 10 dunks or more, but he didn’t stop there. He also had some nice passes on the day, along with some deep 3’s. His handles are strong and he can get to the rim fairly easily, even as some of the best defenders are draped to him. Once he goes by his defender, it usually results in another dunk or a strong lay-up. That’s the kind of day he had. He is still growing as a prospect to perfect his mid-range game and overall feel, but it will be fun to watch him next year at the University of Colorado.
Jalen Richard SG 6’3” Poston Butte HS (Santa Clara commit) - Jalen was also as impressive as Jaron. Jalen was clearly the 2nd best shooting guard at the event overall, and it wasn’t even close. He also had an amazing display of high-flying dunks. Jalen sets you up with his high release jump shot and does it with deep range. Once he has that going, he makes one shot-fake and he freezes the defender so he can blow by you and make a lay-up or dunk. He is extremely strong, with a college body - bouncing off his defenders and getting in the lane with his solid handle. He has a good IQ and still has potential left to grow his game next year when he heads to Santa Clara University. Josh Gershon (Scouthoops.com) thought he was one of the best sleepers in the 2013 class for all guards.
Joe Boyd PF 6’8” Chaparral HS (Drake University commit) - Joe is a strong kid inside the paint and has a great shot out to 20 feet. He has good handles for a big and great fundamentals down low to do damage. In the paint, he has nice post-move fakes, and can hit some fade-away shots. He also is a very good rebounder in his area. He hustles on every play, as he is a tireless worker. He also is extremely intelligent, as he can read plays and knows when to kick it back out of the post. He will probably be a stretch-4 at the next level with his nice outside shot. Josh Gershon (Scouthoops.com) thought he was one of the top sleepers in the 2013 class for all bigs. He is headed to Drake University next year.
Desmond Ross SG 6’3” Kellis HS - Desmond is one of those players that isn’t getting many offers but is truly under-valued. He has a long wingspan with a good 1st step and is an excellent shooter. He gets extremely high on his shot, and you never know when he is going to shoot either. He has very good handles and you expect him to drive by you, but he rises up fast on a dime and shoots. His mid-range shot is probably his best weapon of choice, but he has range out to the 3-point stripe. He also is a good rebounder and defender and a good enough athlete to throw down some dunks. Desmond seems like a low-major to D-II prospect.
Tim Kempton C 6’8” Brophy Prep (Lehigh University commit) - Tim is another really strong big kid who is an excellent rebounder. He has a solid motor to attack the glass. He, like Boyd, is always trying to hustle for every play and trying to make his mark on the game. He can finish lay-ups in traffic with his strong body frame. He makes all the easy plays very efficiently and seems very bright, as he always is in the right place to rebound or make the right play on offense. He knows how to make himself available. He has nice form on his shot out to 15 feet. He is not super-athletic, but makes up for it with his energy. He is going to Lehigh University next year.
Avery Brunson CG 6’3” Desert Vista HS - Avery is a player that can be the go-to scorer or help facilitate for his team. He is very fluid with the ball in his hands to go by his man and set up teammates or attempt a shot. Once he decides to score, he is an elite mid-range shooter with a good 3-ball as well. His handles are tight enough to go by most defenders and he just has a good overall feel for the basketball. It seems like he has a high IQ to make the correct play for his team to succeed. He probably will play in the D-II ranks next year.
Devin White CG 6’4” Marcos De Niza HS - Devin is another real good combo-guard who can slash to the hole with the best of the players and set his teammates up easily. He actually shares the PG job on his HS team with another strong 6’4” guard (Richaud Gittens). Devin also just happens to be the leading rebounder on his team as well. He truly is an all-around team player. Anything you ask of him, he will do efficiently. He also has an excellent 1st step to go by his man. His kryptonite right now is his inconsistent outside shot. His form is very good, so I believe he will fix this part of his game going forward in college.
Andres Marquez PG 6’1” Nogales HS - Players wonder sometimes if they should do these kind of showcases. Andres is a perfect example of why you should. The reason is simple; you can be discovered. No one I talked to has ever heard of Andres, and he performed on a high level. He took total command of his team from the 1st game to the last. He lead his team in points and assists by a wide margin. He can score on all 3 levels, but normally prefers the 3-ball. His mid-range shot and drive are solid. He made many 3's in the 3 games he played and orchestrated his team well with many beautiful passes, which lead to scores. He also seems to be somewhere in between the Div-II to Juco ranks.
Jonathan Wilson PF 6’6” Independence HS - Jonathan is a long PF with a nice stroke from 15 feet and in. He has a good motor to rebound the ball in and out of his area. He can block shots in the paint and outside of his area. He had a few impressive blocks on the day. He also is no stranger down low in the paint - making moves and scoring with a variety of ways and putting the ball in the hole. He can sometimes play in the passing lanes due to his length and get some steals. He has real good bounce to poke some dunks in. He should play in college somewhere between low major D-I and Div-II.
Edgar Sarmiento PG 5’11” Sierra Linda HS - Edgar is always the hardest worker, has a high motor and lays it all on the line every game he plays. He is not afraid to give up his body to make a play for his team. He also has a strong feel for the game to set his teammates up or score a basket. He has a nice floater and is a good shooter out to the 3-point t stripe. He has a fast trigger, so he doesn’t get his shot blocked. This hard worker and great teammate will play college ball next year.
