The annual AZ's Finest Top 20 Showcase took place on Saturday at Inspire Courts in Chandler, Arizona. There were more than 130 different prospects in participation on the day, with the Top 20 all-star games for underclassmen and upperclassmen concluding in the evening.
Arizona Preps was on hand to catch the final all-star games from this year's event. While we did not catch everyone in the evening, since some prospects did not stay for the final game, here are my top individual performers that I witnessed in the evening . . .
Top Upperclassman Prospects
Mitch Lightfoot 6-9 JR PF Gilbert Christian HS (University of New Mexico commit) - 2016 Class
- Lightfoot is a big-time post prospect that is still developing a great deal, which is exciting since he still has much room to develop over time. He has serious upside as a college prospect still and is already very good, so watch out over time as he adds more muscle to his frame as he matures. Lightfoot has a body that could easily add more size to it. A smaller version of University of Arizona post player and Massachusetts' native Kaleb Tarczewski. Lightfoot was the most impressive prospect I saw on the day, as he plays hard on both ends of the floor and runs the floor like a guard. Has excellent footwork in the low post and a nice variety of offensive skills that allow him to finish strong at the rim, and over defenders. Has excellent athleticism for his size, and gets off the floor very easily. An active rebounder and shotblocker. A steal for New Mexico and head coach Craig Neal this early. Has a bright future.
Brandon Clarke 6-7 SR SF Desert Vista HS (San Jose State Signee) - 2015 Class
- Clarke was as big a surprise performer last spring and summer as there was in the state, as he played his way into a Mountain West Conference scholarship offer. His play then turned up this high school season, as he led his Desert Vista ballclub to a state title runner-up finish. Clarke has serious upside for the future and he is only beginning to embark on just how good he can be in the future. A bigger wing prospect with a variety of offensive skills and a passion for the game, that allows him to play at a high level. As he gets physically stronger and adds some muscle at the next level, this young man could be the steal of the 2015 class.
Cameron Satterwhite 6-4 JR PG/SG Gilbert Christian HS (University of Colorado commit) - 2016 Class
- Satterwhite is a big-time athlete with excellent length and athleticism, and a very live body. His ability to play in the open floor and slash to the rim are excellent attributes that he possesses - making him a very attractive prospect for the future. He plays well above the rim in transition and is an exciting prospect to watch. Still needs to add more consistency to his shooting stroke, but is a good mid-range scorer at this point that is capable of keeping the defense honest from longer ranges. A very good ball handler that pushes the ball up the floor. Good passer that plays unselfish. Excellent defender that plays passing lanes and gets his hands on the balls for deflections that often lead to dunks on the break. Has a bright future and serious upside that should make him a very intriguing prospect over time.
Dontez Thomas 6-2 JR PG/SG Gilbert Christian HS - 2016 Class
- Thomas was among the leading scorers in the upperclassman all-star game, so he saved his best for last on the day. Coming off a strong high school junior season where he proved that he can play with the state's best players - helping lead his team to a Division-II state title. A quick guard prospect with excellent body control that finishes at a high rate in the open floor. He does not have a true position on the floor, but he gets a lot done. An OK shooter that gets most of his points while slashing to the basket or weaving through traffic. A very good ball handler that is capable of playing the point position, which is probably his best position on the floor. Looks to be headed to a D-II commitment soon.
Top Underclassman Prospects
Jaden Lee 6-2 FR PG/SG Gilbert Christian HS - 2018 Class
- A big-time young prospect for the future that is very impressive already and should only develop a great deal over time. Lee is a very athletic guard prospect that is capable of making a highlight reel play almost at any time in the game, as he is a fundamentally sound performer with a high skill level. An excellent shooter of the basketball with a very pure shooting stroke and unlimited range on his shot. Capable of making shots from deep or taking defenders off the dribble and finishing in the lane or at the rim. A very good ball handler that can play both guard positions when needed. Very good in the open floor. Has the potential to become one of the state's hottest prospects and a big-time prospect in the West.
Darion Spottsville 6-3 SOPH SG Shadow Mountain HS - 2017 Class
- Spottsville is a strong and well-built young prospect that has a good body and a nice motor. He is a very good scorer in transition, and also is a nice slasher and finisher in the open court. In the hlaf-court set, he can get into the lane and finish or make perimeter shots to det up his drives. Has good range on his shot, but is at his best attacking the basket with the ball on drives. Plays well above the rim when he decides to attack the basket. Finishes several nice dunks over defenders throughout the day. A talented young guard prospect that is among the top overall 2017 prospects in the state.
Donald Carter 6-1 SOPH PG Cesar Chavez HS - 2017 Class
- Carter is coming off a solid sophomore season for himself, where he proved that he is among the better guard prospects in the 2017 class. A floor general of sorts that has a very good handle and surveys the floor with good court vision. Enjoys running a team and making plays for others. Also a capable scorer that can keep defenses honest with a solid perimeter shooting stroke, but he still needs to become more consistent from longer ranges. A very good defender with good lateral quickness. A solid guard prospect.
Antonio Cuevas 5-8 FR PG Mountain Pointe HS - 2018 Class
- Cuevas is the younger brother of former McClintock HS product BJ Cuevas. A talented and gifted young guard prospect that plays very low to the ground and is a very good penetrator and driver of the basketball. Gets into the lane and creates for himself and others. An excellent ball handler and passer. Floor general. Good finisher. A very good shooter that takes good shots and has range. Very small guard but very disruptive for opposing teams. Has the potential to become one of the better guard prospects in the class.
Middle School Prospects
Jaelen House 5-8 8th Grader PG Shea Middle School - 2019 Class
- House was the best middle school prospect in the event and is a big-time guard prospect for the future. He has an excellent feel for the game and makes players around him better. Plays with a high level of confidence and has command-presence on the basketball court. An excellent ball handler that is able to get anywhere that he wants to on the floor. Has excellent court vision and sees plays before they happen. Advances the basketball up the floor to the open man and also pushes the basketball for fast-break opportunities. A very good scorer for his size already. Has the "IT Factor." Son of former NBA player Eddie House. Has a very bright future ahead of him and should attend Shadow Mountain HS next fall.
