One of the biggest offseason storylines in Arizona high school basketball came when 6-foot-5 rising junior Bentley Elrod announced his transfer from Scottsdale Saguaro High School to state powerhouse Sunnyslope High School. While the move generated considerable attention on social media, the true impact of Elrod’s transfer may not be fully appreciated until the 2026-27 high school season begins. If his performance throughout the spring and summer is any indication, however, Sunnyslope may have landed one of the state’s most underrated rising stars. Elrod has enjoyed an outstanding summer wearing a Sunnyslope uniform, consistently proving he has the skill set…
Author: Anthony Ray
One of the state’s brightest young basketball prospects is already beginning to attract significant attention on the recruiting trail. Liberty High School’s 6-foot-6 stud rising sophomore Trevin Davis recently received his first Division-I scholarship offer from UC Santa Barbara, one of the premier mid-major basketball programs in the West. The offer is another major milestone for one of the elite prospects in Arizona’s 2029 class. Davis burst onto the Arizona high school basketball scene last season, helping lead Liberty High School to a remarkable 22-9 overall record and the AIA 6A State Championship as a mere freshman. His biggest performance…
The NCAA has once again altered the landscape of college athletics, approving one of the most significant eligibility changes in decades. The new “5-for-5” Eligibility Model promises to reshape college basketball recruiting, roster management, player development and scholarship opportunities for years to come. For Arizona, a state that has rapidly become one of the nation’s premier producers of Division-I basketball talent, these changes could have a profound effect on the future of recruiting. From elite high school prospects to junior college standouts and prep school athletes, everyone involved in the recruiting process will need to understand how the new system…
St. Mary’s High School’s gifted 6-foot-4 rising senior guard Mick Riordan has quietly become one of my favorite overall prospects in Arizona’s talented 2027 class. The rising senior combo guard from St. Mary’s High School in Phoenix possesses one of the most complete offensive skillsets in the state and is, in my opinion, the best pure shooter in Arizona’s 2027 class, and among the finest perimeter shooters in the country. His combination of size, length and deceiving athleticism are very intriguing, as he prepares for the biggest high school season of his young career. Riordan is a nice recruiting target…
Central High School’s terrific 6-foot-2 rising junior point guard Grant Mattingly has established himself as one of the premier young basketball prospects in the state of Arizona over many years of dominating his competition. Now, the 6-foot-2 rising junior point guard is ready to step out from the shadow of his older brother and emerge as one of the state’s brightest stars. A member of Arizona’s loaded 2028 Class, Mattingly is regarded as one of the elite overall prospects in the class, and one of the top young guards in the Western United States. After helping lead Central High School…
Every summer, a handful of prospects emerge seemingly out of nowhere to capture the attention of college coaches from across the country. This summer, one of those players is Liberty High School’s talented 6-foot-10 rising senior post Milton Phinnessee III. The 6-10 post talent has become one of the biggest breakout stories in Arizona basketball, after a strong spring performance on the club circuit, and also at the prestigious Section 7 Tournament, where he established himself as one of the top sleeper prospects in the entire event. Before Section 7, Phinnessee was relatively unknown on the recruiting scene. After Section…
Mountain Pointe High School’s gifted 5-foot-7 rising junior point guard Justin Kimbrough has long been regarded as one of the premier young basketball prospects in the state of Arizona. Long before he ever stepped onto the high school stage, Kimbrough was widely considered one of the top middle school prospects to come out of Arizona in recent years. Since arriving at Mountain Pointe High School, he has continued to validate that reputation and has developed into one of the elite guards in Arizona’s loaded 2028 recruiting class. Now entering his junior season, Kimbrough appears poised for a breakout year that…
The Post-Grad Sports Academy (PGSA) was built to help student-athletes continue pursuing their goals in a recruiting environment that has changed dramatically over the past several years. PGSA’s national network of experienced coaches includes former NBA players, collegiate coaches, player development professionals, and basketball leaders committed to helping athletes grow both on and off the court. Families choose PGSA because they want more than another season of basketball. They want a structured environment focused on development, accountability, competition, recruiting support, and preparation for the next level. Through a focused (9) month pathway, athletes have the opportunity to continue developing while…
In a move that sent shockwaves throughout Arizona and national high school basketball circles, longtime St. Mary’s High School basketball Head Coach Damin Lopez announced his resignation Monday, bringing an end to a remarkable 21-year run with one of the state’s most storied basketball programs. Lopez, who spent more than two decades helping build and sustain the St. Mary’s basketball tradition, released a statement on social media thanking the school, administration, players, families, alumni and supporters who played a role in the program’s success throughout his tenure. The announcement came as a surprise to many throughout the basketball community, particularly…
One of the biggest player movement stories of the offseason emerged last week when 6-foot-6 rising junior phenom Martray Bagley announced his decision to transfer from nationally recognized prep school powerhouse Dream City Christian Prep to St. Mary’s High School in Phoenix. Bagley’s decision immediately sent shockwaves throughout Arizona’s basketball community, as he joins one of the most historic and successful high school basketball programs in the state. St. Mary’s has long been regarded as one of Arizona’s premier basketball programs. The Knights captured the 4A State Championship just two seasons ago and followed that accomplishment with a runner-up finish…