Arizona's 2015 class of prospects is still rounding into shape this spring and summer, and after a nice spring evaluation period that is now coming to an end, many of the top-rated prospects in the class have risen to the top of the discussion with strong performances throughout the months of March, April and May.
One prospect that took his game to another level this spring was Chaparral High School's 6-foot-3 sophomore guard Kenzo Nudo. While playing on the club circuit for his club program, Team Power Black 16U, Nudo turned in several very strong performances for himself and raised his recruiting stock considerably.
Nudo's best showing this spring came in the 16 & Under finals at this year's Double Pump Spring Classic in Las Vegas, NV. In the game, Nudo absolutely went off - displaying a shooting prowess that has him considered among the purest shooters of the basketball in the 2015 class. Nudo's shooting performance would keep Team Power in the game all the way to end, before the team would fall to a talented Utah Pump N' Run team at the buzzer.
As a result of Nudo's recent development as a serious college prospect, the young man recently earned his first scholarship offer from Northern Arizona University, as head coach Jack Murphy and his staff decided to jump on him early in the recruiting process. Nudo is also now hearing from many other schools as a result of his progress as a college prospect.
This past high school season, Nudo helped lead a talented Chaparral HS team to a 22-8 overall record on the season in the state's top Division-I Class. Nudo would average 8 points and 2.8 rebounds on a talented Firebirds' team - before the team would fall to Gilbert HS, in a come-from-behind win in the state playoffs at home. While Chaparral would lose the game, Nudo would have his coming-out-party of sorts, as he displayed his strong shooting ability in the game and also showed off superior athleticism as well - finishing two impressive dunks over defends in the game.
Nudo is among the best pure shooters of the basketball in the 2015 class, and while he is not tall in stature, he has a strong ability to shoot the basketball with unlimited range on his shot, while also possessing a live body that allows him to make plays off the dribble as well. He is deadly when catching and shooting the basketball, and has also shown a good ability to put the basketball on the floor and make plays as well. He is a clutch shooter that shoots the basketball with superior confidence and is not afraid to take the big shot for his team - a nice quality.
Nudo is a good ball handler and passer, although he has not shown an ability yet to consisently play the point position for his team - something that he will need to continue to develop over time. At his size, and ability to play both guard positions will suit him well at the collegiate level. But he is very capable of playing the position, as needed.
Nudo is a solid defender and has good lateral quickness. He seems to be working hard in this area of his game and plays with good energy and a great attitude on the floor, and has has good overall work ethic.
Based on Nudo's performance thus far this spring, look for him to make a jump in our next player rankings and continue his progress as a player well into next high school season, where he should raise his overall numbers a great deal next season. I will be keeping a close eye on him this summer, as this young man is quickly developing into one of the better young prospects in the state.
