This past weekend, ArizonaVarsity and Southwest Showcase organized their annual All-Arizona Basketball Combine at Tempe High School, and the event was well attended and exciting as always. While I was unable to be there personally this weekend, due to a prior commitment, there were many top-rated basketball prospects in attendance from the 2016, 2017 & 2018 classes, and also many top performers from the event. One of my favorite events of the year.
The combine brings together the state's top basketball talent - measuring each athlete's athletic ability with the vertical leap and broad jump. The dedicated Arizona Varsity staff also measured each player's height, weight, wingspan and standing reach - all important aspects of a basketball player. In addition to the individual combine testing, each prospect also played in two games, with an all-star game concluding the event on Sunday. Top performers from the event were selected to play in a Top-20 and Top-40 all-star game based on their performance in the combine and showcase games.
Two players were selected as Co-All-Star Game Most Valuable Players, as Gilbert's skilled and talented 6-foot-6 junior wing Chris Bowling and Pinnacle's impressive 6-foot-8 junior forward Seth Mason both received the co-honors.
Bowling was selected as the "best overall scorer" from this weekend's event, possessing an excellent ability to shoot and score the basketball from almost anywhwere on the floor. Bowling is a rapidly-developing wing prospect that has impressed over the last year with his improved ability to play the game. He is able to make shots from the stand-still position on the wing, or while making individual dribble-moves for himself around defenders. A long, lengthy wing prospect with loads of potential for the future. Bowling is currently receiving loads of college interest and should develop into a serious high-major division-I prospect over the next high school season.
One of the most intriguing prospects from this weekend's event was Pinnacle High School's ultra-athletic 6-foot-8 forward Seth Mason. An almost unknown prospect not too long ago, Mason has impressed as of late a great deal, and I am looking forward to watching him perform closely in the near future. Mason is a very bouncy, and rangy performer with superb athleticism and a knack for finishing above the rim. While he is still raw offensively, Mason is a nice developing talent with loads of potential for the future and a high ceiling. A nice looking prospect that should develop a great deal over the next year and raise many eyebrows of college coaches - what level will be determined by his continued development and hard work on his skillset.
Other top-rated prospects from this weekend's event included Gilbert Christian's 6-foot-9 junior Mitch Lightfoot, Basha HS 6-foot-10 junior Devin Kirby, Dysart HS 6-foot-10 junior Malik Ondigo, Campo Verde HS 6-foot-7 junior forward Brandon Whittaker, Buena HS 6-foot-3 junior guard Jalen Holman, Mesa Mountain View HS 6-foot-5 junior forward Zane Jowaiszas, Tri-City Christian HS 6-foot-7 sophomore Nigel Shadd, Mountain Ridge HS 6-foot-5 sophomore Jared Rodriguez, Copper Canyon HS 5-foot-10 sophomore guard Treyvon McCray, Copper Canyon HS 6-foot-1 junior guard Terry Gates, Corona Del Sol HS 6-foot-3 sophomore Seun Talabi, Gilbert Christian HS 6-foot-1 freshman guard Jaden Lee, Pinnacle HS 6-foot-4 junior Randy Bronner, Lee Williams HS 6-foot-7 junior forward Giancarlo Narvarte, Campo Verde HS 6-foot junior guard Simon Kubrom, Flagstaff HS 6-foot-4 junior Austin Brain, Mountain Ridge HS 6-foot-3 sophomore guard Saikou Gueye and Buckeye HS 6-foot sophomore guard Daquan Cain.
