One of Arizona’s most underrated high school prospects is preparing for the next chapter of his basketball career, as former Basha High School standout, 6-foot-5 sophomore Desean Middlebrook will suit up this season for perennial junior college powerhouse Pima Community College. Middlebrook joins one of the premier junior college basketball programs in America under legendary Head Coach Brian Peabody, whose Pima program has absolutely dominated the ACCAC over the past several seasons, while consistently competing among the nation’s elite NJCAA Division-II programs. Once again, the Aztecs enter the season with championship aspirations behind another loaded and talented roster that should have all the pieces necessary to compete for a NJCAA Division-II National Championship.
Leading the way this season for Pima will be stud sophomore point guard Isaiah Hill, who is coming off one of the finest freshman seasons in the country, after being selected as both the ACCAC Player of the Year and ACCAC Freshman of the Year. Hill enters the season as one of the leading candidates for NJCAA Division-II National Player of the Year honors, and will once again be the catalyst for one of the nation’s most explosive teams.
Joining Hill is highly acclaimed freshman Adrian “Ace” Stubbs, the former Maryvale High School standout who became a national sensation last season after scoring an incredible 104 points in a single high school basketball game. Stubbs arrives at Pima as one of the nation’s most exciting incoming junior college freshmen, and the dynamic backcourt of Hill and Stubbs should provide plenty of excitement throughout the season. Simply put, this duo will be must-see basketball and should make Pima one of the most entertaining teams in junior college basketball in the country.
Middlebrook now joins that talented group and gives the Aztecs another important piece in what could be a championship-caliber roster. One of the state’s top overall defenders during his outstanding career at Basha High School, Middlebrook brings exceptional defensive versatility to the Pima program. At 6-foot-5, he possesses excellent size, length, strength and athleticism, allowing him to defend multiple positions on the floor. His ability to guard opposing guards, wings, and even bigger forwards makes him an extremely valuable player, and one who is expected to become Pima’s top defensive stopper this season.
Middlebrook’s defensive instincts, toughness, and willingness to accept difficult assignments should fit perfectly into Coach Peabody’s system, where his versatility will be utilized in a variety of roles against some of the top players in the conference.
While Middlebrook received significant recruiting interest coming out of Basha High School, he did not receive the Division-I scholarship opportunities many believed he deserved. Instead of becoming discouraged, he chose the junior college route, where he now has an outstanding opportunity to elevate his game and prove he belongs at the NCAA Division-I level.
I firmly believe Middlebrook is a mid-major Division-I basketball player. Although he often played in the post during his high school career because of team needs, his natural position is on the wing. With Pima’s deep and talented roster, Middlebrook should now have the opportunity to showcase the complete skillset that has always made him such an intriguing prospect. He is a very good perimeter shooter with range, has the athleticism to finish above the rim, and possesses the versatility to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Moving back to the wing should significantly enhance his college recruitment, while allowing him to display the full range of his abilities.
Beyond his basketball talent, Middlebrook is also an excellent student and an outstanding young man who is highly respected for his character, work ethic, and positive personality. Those qualities, combined with his physical tools and defensive ability, make him an ideal addition to an already loaded Pima roster.
The chemistry within the team is already beginning to develop. Hill has stated that he has enjoyed working out with Middlebrook throughout the summer, and that the two have already developed a strong level of trust on the court. Hill also expressed that he is excited to play alongside Middlebrook this season, an encouraging sign as the Aztecs continue preparing for another championship run.
With Hill orchestrating the offense, Stubbs bringing explosive scoring ability, and Middlebrook anchoring the defense with his versatility and toughness, Pima once again appears poised to dominate the ACCAC and compete for another NJCAA Division-II National Championship, after coming up just short th past two seasons.
I look forward to following Desean Middlebrook throughout his junior college career as he looks to establish himself as one of the top JUCO prospects in the West, and while helping Pima Community College continue its remarkable run of success. I will also continue to follow his recruitment closely and provide updates as his college recruitment continues to develop.
Arizona Preps Scouting Report: Despite playing much of his career inside and around the paint, Middlebrook possesses the tools to develop into a nice perimeter prospect at the college level. He has shown a nice perimeter shooting stroke, but he is also very effective around the basket from mid-range and inside the paint. With continued development and hard work, Middlebrook has the potential to grow into a 2–3 wing prospect at the college level, where his combination of athleticism, motor, and versatility could make him a very intriguing prospect for college programs moving forward. He has a nice mid-range game and can score inside and out. A good ball handler and passer. An active and strong finisher. Runs the floor hard. An excellent on the ball defender. A very active rebounder with a great motor. Beyond his talent on the court, Middlebrook is also known as a high-character young man who truly loves the game. His strong work ethic, positive attitude, and willingness to do whatever it takes to help his team succeed have played a major role in his development as a player. Because of those qualities, Middlebrook is the type of prospect who could make a college program very happy over time, as he continues to develop and maximize his potential.
