The 15th Annual Arizona Preps Fall Showcase was recently held on Saturday, October 26th at Scottsdale’s Jewish Community Center. Both boys and girls top-rated prospects in the state participated on the day in front of numerous local, regional and national scouting services in attendance.
As the state's top pre-season event just before the start to the 2013-2014 high school basketball season, each of these top-rated prospects will be ones to watch this up-and-coming high school season. Here is Part II of my top boys performers from this year’s event, beginning with the 2014 senior class . . .
Arizona Preps Fall Showcase Top Boys Performers - 2014 Class (In No Particular Order)
Jorge Cano 6-6 SR SF Maryvale HS (Glendale, AZ) - 2014
- Cano has developed a great deal over the past year, and his progress showed in this year's event as he has added physical size to his once very thin frame. Cano is a long and athletic wing prospect that has very good versatility as a player and is able to play and defend several positions on the floor. He proved again in this year's event that he is worthy of consideration among the state's top talents, as he looked very comfortable with the top prospects in the state. Looks to be prepared to have a big senior season - opening some doors for himself for the spring to be recruited at the low to mid-major division-I level.
Isaiah Bellamy 6-4 SR Westview HS (Avondale, AZ) - 2014
- Bellamy finally had a coming-out-party for himself - showcasing his ability to make plays and shots in this year's event. Bellamy is a tough but skilled prospect with nice fundamental skills. While he is still improving and developing his decision-making on the floor, he is a very consistent weapon on the defensive end. Once he gets going defensively, his offense begins to flourish as well. A versatile performer that will make a smaller college program very proud.
Joey Bankston 6-5 SR SF/PF Grand Canyon HS (Grand Canyon, AZ) - 2014
- Bankston continues to impress, but this year's Fall Showcase was his best performance to date. He is an ultra-athletic but undersized four-man prospect with good muscularity and a nice motor. He has a knack for the basketball and always seems to find ways to score or help his team win through the intangibles on the floor. Not a big scorer, Bankston's worth comes through rebounding, defending the low post and wing and blocking shots. A developing prospect that has developed nicely over the past two years through sheer hard work. Will make a smaller college program very happy, as there is not a kid with a better personality and more well mannered in the state.
Deron Kyle 6-3 SR SG Deer Valley HS (Glendale, AZ) - 2014
- Kyle has developed nicely over the past two years and now has become one of the state's top scoring guards, while also possessing superior athleticism and a nice motor. Kyle is a left hander making him difficult to defend, once he gets going. A very good shooter with nice range on his shot. A good penetrator and finisher at the basket. A good ball handler and passer. Needs to continue to progress as a point guard to become a true combo-guard at the next level. Has good potential for the future.
Bailey Stephens 6-5 SR SF Flagstaff HS (Flagstaff, AZ) - 2014
- Stephens was one of the surprise performers from this year's event. An unknown prospect by our staff before the event, Stephens left this year's event as a prospect that I would like to see again. A nice-sized wing prospect with a nice shooting stroke and a good offensive repertoire of offensive skills, Stephens is a solid wing prospect that reminds me of former Flagstaff HS star Callum Long. Stephens has the ability to become a very good college prospect this spring for a smaller college program. Another nice sleeper prospect for the future.
Brody Sharkey 6-0 SR PG/SG Peoria HS (Peoria, AZ) - 2014
- Sharkey is a high scoring and athletic point guard that has never seen a shot he doesn't like. While he is still improving his overall ability to run a team, not many guard prospects are more athletic. Sharkey is a high-energy guard prospect that pushes the basketball at all times, and has a good overall skill level. His ability to make better decisions with the basketball in his hands will determine his college recruitment.
Parker Anderson 6-6 SR SF Queen Creek HS (Queen Creek, AZ) - 2014
- Anderson is quickly becoming a household name in the state, as a result of his big-time athleticism that allows him to finish plays well above the rim and over defenders. Still very raw offensively, Anderson has a high-motor and excellent energy on the floor. He is at his best in transition where he soars to the rim. Still needs to develop a much better handle of the basketball and a consistent perimeter jump shot, but currently he has a solid mid-range game and great activity on the floor. A sleeper prospect that will be one to watch over the future, as he has a high ceiling.
Marco Morales 6-1 SR PG/SG Chandler HS (Chandler, AZ) - 2014
- Morales is a big-time shooter with unlimited range on his shot. A crafty guard prospect that is capable of playing both guard positions on the floor. Scores in bunches when he is on. A very good ball handler and passer. Sees the floor. Pushes the basketball. Still needs to show he can play the point position full-time to reach his potential as a player. Plays similar to former Northern Colorado standout John Pena.
Yusuf Shehata 5-9 SR PG Amphitheater HS (Tucson, AZ) - 2014
- Shehata has never been a flashy point man, but rather a steady point guard prospect with an excellent handle of the basketball and a nice perimeter jump shot with range. A quiet floor general, Shehata seems to disappear at times while not being very vocal on the floor. Still needs to consistently make good decisions with the ball in his hands. He is capable of being very good at times and not so good at others. Either way, Shehata is what he is and will make a college program in need of a point guard very happy over time, as he is very solid overall.
Carter Wilson 6-2 SR SG Queen Creek HS (Queen Creek, AZ) - 2014
- Wilson is a good-looking shooting guard prospect that has an excellent perimeter jump shot. Coming off a very good spring and summer performance for himself, Wilson has quickly become a serious player. Best when scoring the basketball, Wilson is also able to play both guard positions on the floor and has a good feel for the game. He pushes the ball up the floor and is a good ball handler and passer. Plays with very good intensity and loves the game. A good looking sleeper prospect for a smaller college program.
Noah Snyder 6-4 SR SG Casa Grande HS (Casa Grande, AZ) - 2014
- Snyder is a big-time shooter prospect with unlimited range on his shot and a quick release. He has a feathery touch and an ability to make shots with a defender in his face. Also has good overall size as a shooter and good toughness. Has good quickness. A solid ball handler and passer but needs to continue to focus on these two areas to reach his maximum potential as a player. A solid defender. Will help a smaller college program in need of a fundamentally sound shooter prospect with a good overall feel for the game.