The annual Arizona JUCO Jamboree took place last weekend @ South Mountain Community College, and featured many of the state's junior colleges and also some of the top prep programs in action on the day. Organized by Tournament Director Chad Groth of Area Codes Basketball, the event was very enjoyable to watch and cover for the day, and included many top-rated performances by the state's top juco prospects in action. While the event was organized to feature Arizona junior college basketball, the top overall performance on the day was turned in by PHH Prep National 6-foot-3 junior guard Chris King. Was only a mere junior (2027) guard prospect, King was dominant in his team's performance in the event, and impressed everyone in attendance with his superb athleticism, high motor and ability to score the basketball almost at will. In his one game on the day, King was terrific and did it all on the floor for his team - an electrifying performance that left me wanting more.
King has been one of the elite prospects in Arizona, regardless of class for some time. Each time I have seen King perform over the last couple years, I have marveled at his extreme bounce and lift off the floor, and the manner in which he plays. King is a walking bucket, and his legend is now growing, especially after the manner in which he performed on Sunday. King poured in 30+ points in his team's win, and proved why he is considered as an excellent prospect for Division-I college programs to start recruiting immediately.
One of the elite prospects in Arizona 2027 Class, King is a prospect seriously on the rise and is worthy of serious consideration for a Top 100 national ranking. While very thin physically, this combo-guard prospect is the real deal and can play with anyone. His college recruitment is already looking strong, but he should garner much more and higher recruiting interest over the next year.
Currently, King has offers from Long Beach State, Eastern Michigan, Cal-State Bakersfield, Coastal Carolina, Southeast Missouri State and Bethune-Cookman. I expect this list of college programs to grow a great deal over time, as King is a unique talent for sure. His performance this weekend proved just how good he is.
King was also a major standout this spring and summer while playing for his club program, Bates Fundamentals (OH), and has impressed me each time I have seen him perform, in any event. So this weekend was more of the same. King will only continue to develop and improve this prep season, while playing for elite Head Coach Erik Hood, who is one of the best in the business at maximizing his player's potential and developing talent.
I look forward to watching and following King going forward and also seeing how his college recruitment develops over the next year. He is definitely a prospect in Arizona on the rise.
