This weekend the Arizona's Finest Showcase took place at Inspire Courts. Hosted by tournament organizer Michael Clark of Arizona's Finest Videos, this event was an exciting showcase of some of the state's elite basketball talent.
Clark has done an excellent job over the past couple of years of putting together excellent highlight video footage of Arizona's top-rated basketball prospects, and this was his first actual event for his business. As a result, the event kicked off the spring evaluation period with some of the top upperclassmen, some who will be moving on to the college ranks next season, and also some very good underclassmen prospects to take a hard look for the future.
Here are the top overall prospects that I watched on the day and how they performed in the event. While I was unable to catch the tournament games on the day, I was in attendance for the action from this year's two all-star games in the evening (In no particular order) . . .
Zylan Cheatham 6-8 SR SF South Mountain HS (Phoenix, AZ) - San Diego State signee
- Cheatham is the state's premier talent and, after watching him perform, it is difficult to understand how his high school team underperformed this season. Cheatham is a glaring basketball talent with superior length and athleticism. He has a nice overall skill-set and ability to play the game at a high level. Cheatham would be an instant contributor on any team in college, but there are many players like him at current Sweet-16 bound San Diego State, so his ability to see major minutes as a freshman collegiately will highly depend on his continued work ethic and development of his perimeter shot. Has pro-potential in the future.
Carlos Johnson 6-5 SOPH SF/PF Shadow Mountain HS (Phoenix, AZ) - 2016 Class
- Fresh off leading his high school program to a D-II State Championship, Johnson was as impressive a player as I saw on the evening. While it was unclear to me before the event as to what position Johnson would play in college, and just how high he would be recruited as a result of his lack of a true position, Johnson answered my questions in this event. Johnson proved that he will be able to develop into a small forward over time. His unique athleticism and sheer physical strength are extremely impressive. He is a man with a college-ready body in a young man's age, not body. Johnson has an extremely high motor and played with impressive aggression on both ends of the floor. Sky is the limit for this young man. A big-time prospect for the future that will dominate the state for the next two years.
Famoun Miller 6-6 JR SF/PF Central HS (Phoenix, AZ) - 2015 Class
- Miller is among the elite prospects in Arizona's 2015 class. He has a nice motor and a nice overall skillset, combined with nice physical strength and athleticism. While I have always seen Miller as a post player, this was my first opportunity to see him play in the open floor and handle and shoot the basketball on the perimeter. A left hander, Miller is a talent with the basketball in his hands, as he sees the floor very well and makes players around him better. A very unselfish prospect, Miller has the potential to become a nice prospect. His work off the court will define his college recruitment.
Hunter Thomas 6-3 SR PG Desert Ridge HS (Mesa, AZ) - 2014 Class
- Thomas is a nice overall talent with a serious motor and highlight reel ability, as a result of his slick handle of the basketball and superior athleticism. His length and crafty ability to make plays off the dribble makes him difficult to defend for opposing players. Thomas id excellent in the open floor and is a nice slasher and finisher. Thomas is very thin physically and still needs a body to reach his maximum potential as a player, but he has big-time potential for the future with a nice upside. Among the top unsigned prospects late in the West.
JJ Rhymes 6-3 SOPH SG/SF Shadow Mountain HS (Phoenix, AZ) - 2016 Class
- Rhymes is another gifted member of Arizona's loaded 2016 class, which seems to look better and better every day. While the class is seems to get better each day, so does Rhymes. Each time I see this kid perform, he has gotten better and impresses me more. Rhymes is a big-time athlete that plays much bigger than his size suggests. Influenced by Arizona basketball legend Mike Bibby and his organization, Rhymes, like his club and high school teammates, has benefited a great deal from training and development. Rhymes is a talented scorer with a high motor and an ability to create his own shot from anywhere on the floor. Another big-time talent in the 2016 class that is quickly climbing the rankings in the state.
Dakota Kordsiemon 6-4 JR SG Catalina Foothills HS (Tucson, AZ) - 2015 Class
- Kordsiemon is one of my favorite prospects in the 2015 class. Not a flashy prospect, Kordsiemon simply plays the game the right way and with excellent toughness and aggression on both ends of the floor. He makes the right play and, while other prospects were getting caught up in the antics of the game, this young man continued to make basketball plays and lock up defensively. A tough competitor on both ends of the floor, Dakota is a nice prospect for the 2015 class that will make a college program of his choice proud with his extreme coachability and willingness to do whatever it takes to win.
Michael Bibby 6-2 SOPH PG Shadow Mountain HS (Phoenix, AZ) - 2016 Class
- Bibby is quickly beginning to show glimpses of his father, Arizona legend Mike Bibby. While his father was the best player to ever come out of the state of Arizona, the younger Bibby will make a name for himself with a similar approach. He may not become legendary, but he will develop into one of the better guard prospects in the country over time. A talented guard prospect with excellent range on his shot and a quick release. He has a nice handle that is very crafty and is able to make plays for himself or others off the dribble almost at will. Has a very good feel for the game. Has quick hands defensively, but needs to improve his quickness to become a better overall defender.
Deion James 6-8 JR SF/PF Empire HS (Tucson, AZ) - 2015 Class
- James is among the top overall talents in Arizona's still developing 2015 class. While James has nice size and length, he is still trying to figure out where he is best suited on the floor. A very skilled prospect, James is at his best when playing inside and out in a role as a 3/4 prospect. James is able to score with his back to the basket or while facing it, but he likes to float on the perimeter too much at times. If he can find a balance of the wing and the paint, he will see his effectiveness on the floor improve and could also see his recruitment soar this club season. A nice overall talent.
Quincy Taylor 6-3 JR SG Desert Vista HS (Phoenix, AZ) - 2015 Class
- Taylor may just be the best overall athlete in the state, regardless of class. A highlight reel dunker in transition, Taylor is an excellent slasher and open court player. An excellent finisher that plays well above the rim. A nice overall athletic talent that will reach his maximum potential as he develops a consistent perimeter jump shot. A good defender that is capable of becoming a lock-down defender, which will boost his recruitment. An active rebounder. Solid ball handler and passer.
Parker Anderson 6-5 SR SG/SF Queen Creek HS (Queen Creek, AZ) - 2014 Class
- Anderson is a surging talent that is developing nicely and quickly. A year ago, Anderson was a raw offensive talent. Currently, Anderson has developed his overall feel for the game and has also become a very good shooter of the basketball with nice range. A nice sleeper prospect for a smaller college program looking to add talent late this spring. Anderson is an active rebounder and is a good defender. A solid ball handler and passer that will improve a great deal over time. What you get in Anderson now will greatly improve over time as a result of his limitless upside. Among the top unsigned prospects this spring in the state. Took a recruiting visit to North Dakota State in January.
Klay Stall 6-8 SOPH PF Basha HS (Chandler, AZ) - 2016 Class
- Another talented member of Arizona's loaded 2016 class. Among the top post prospects in the class. While this was the first time I have seen Stall play, I was very impressed with his size, length and ability to play the game. He will only develop a great deal over time and could become a very nice looking prospect prospect in the future. Has solid post skills and an ability to face up and shoot the basketball. Runs the floor very well. An active rebounder and shotblocker.
