Shoe companies have now officially taken over the spring and summer AAU/club circuit with major shoe-sponsored events around the country - allowing only club programs that are sponsored by the shoe giants such as Nike, Adidas and Under Armour. If you are not a heavily sponsored shoe team with an invite and financially capable of making the trip, then, like many other club teams, you made the treck to Las Vegas, Nevada or Los Angeles, CA last weekend to compete in the Double Pump or Pangos events, which have become common place now for all the rest of the teams. As a result, the competition has been fierce, but void of the majority of elite prospects from around the country - leaving for the best of the rest available prospects.
While there are still loads of college prospects and talent in both events, it is still not the same as it was before, when spring events in the West included all of the top club programs from the region. Now, if your club program wins their division or even the event, the road to victory is not as competitive, but still holds value to the program winning it.
Our Arizona Preps staff attended the Double Pump Spring Classic last weekend in Vegas, and were able to catch many of the top club programs from Arizona in action. There were some very good prospects from our state in competition, especially since the state of Arizona does not currently have a club program with a shoe deal - a ridiculous fact.
While we were not able to see every team play over the 3 days of the event, we did catch many of the Arizona teams in action, and here are the very best individual performers that we observed throughout the weekend (In no particular order). . .
Mitch Lightfoot 6-9 JR PF Gilbert Christian HS - 2016
- Lightfoot was the highest regarded Arizona prospect throughout the weekend - especially since he recently decommitted from the University of New Mexico. With many college coaches looking to observe Lightfoot's talents, he did not disappoint - showing a much improved overall skill level and an excellent competitive spirit. Lightfoot exudes enthusiasm on the floor and looks very much like he loves the game. Shot the basketball well from the perimeter and also finished strong at the rim. His athleticism and upside are glaring. Very few prospects in the class are as attractive as Lightfoot will be to college coaches this summer, so he should benefit a great deal. University of Arizona and other elite-high major division-I programs now look to be involved.
Gabe McGlothan 6-5 SOPH SF Basha HS - 2017
- Get ready for this young man, as he is a big-time young prospect for the future that many do not know about. That will change very soon. McGlothan is a big-time young talent that will soon garner much division-I recruiting interest, and if he gets seen by the right people, this is a high-major division-I prospect. McGlothan is an excellent looking prospect with a nice skill level, combined with superb athletic talent. He can make plays that most players cannot, and above the rim. He has an excellent feel for the game and it is obvious that this young man plays often and works on his craft. Resembles a young Bryson Krueger (Arizona State), former Mountain Pointe HS graduate, physically as a person and also as a player. Led his team to the tournament's 16U title - their third straight tournament championship this spring! Watch out for this young man over the next year - his future looks extremely bright.
Michael Bibby Jr. 6-0 JR PG Shadow Mountain HS - 2016
- Bibby has been missing in action for sometime, so it was terrific to see him action again over the weekend. He did not disappoint either, as he picked up right where he left off last time I saw him play - shooting the basketball with exceptional range and consistency. Bibby is rated as the top PG in the class and it was good to see him back to form. Very crafty guard prospect that makes players around him better. Has good toughness. While not overly athletic, he understands the game and knows how to play. High-major guard prospect due to that fact.
JJ Rhymes 6-3 JR PG Shadow Mountain HS - 2016
- Rhymes is a terrific athlete that plays much bigger than his size suggests - making him very difficult to guard and slow down. Rhymes is capable of defending 3 different posituions on the floor, and, offensively, he can score inside and out and is an excellent finisher. Plays well above the rim for his size. Competes at a high level and is a gamer - a kid you want for you, not against you. Loves this kid's competitive spirit. His left-handed prowess also makes him very difficult to defend. Just needs to qualify academically to reach his potential as a player. On the court, he is terrific.
Cameron Satterwhite 6-4 JR PG/SG Gilbert Christian HS - 2016 (University of Colorado commit)
- Satterwhite is loaded with so much upside as a college prospect that you almost have to be an experienced scout to understand his abiility and potential for the future. As a result, you can get lost in what he does or doesn't do now, rather than projecting him for the road ahead. Satterwhite is a superb talent that has very good versatility and great athleticism. He runs like a track star and looks as if he should be running the 400 meters, rather than playing basketball. Over time he should fill into his rather thin frame, which will do him wonders. Does not put up impressive scoring numbers but, rather, does many things on the floor that keep his team competitive. Great prospect for the future. PAC-12's Colorado saw something in him early and jumped on it.
Terrence Johnson 6-3 SR SG/SF Cienega HS - 2015
- Johnson is among the elite unsigned prospects still in the state's 2015 class, but that is only because he had looked to play football in college - possessing numerous high-major offers in the sport. According to reports, Johnson has decided that he will play basketball in college, so it will be interesting to see where he lands. In the sport of football, he will become a pro one day very soon - in basketball, not as likely. But, this young man is a big-time athletic talent rarely found at this size. He plays much bigger than his size suggests, and he can flat out play. I would want this kid on any team that I put together, since he competes hard, is tough and can score. Terrific prospect late for a low to mid-major division-I program.
Sean Dunn 6-9 SOPH C Brophy Prep HS - 2017
- Dunn is a rare find in the state of Arizona - a larger post prospect with excellent size and skill level. Dunn is massive physically and he also runs the floor like that of a prospect much smaller. An excellent looking prospect for the future, that I fully believe will develop into a high-major division-I prospect. He has very good hands and feet for his size, runs the floor well and is a good finisher. Has good low-post footwork. A strong rebounder that gets excellent inside post position. Good shotblocker. Has a very bright future ahead of him as well.
Aaron Weidenaar 6-5 JR SF Horizon HS - 2016
- Weidenaar recently moved to the state of Arizona from the state of Montana, and he looks to make a bang with his addition to the state. Was regarded among the top prospects in Montana before moving. A good-sized wing prospect with a very nice shooting stroke with range - his best asset. He is able to score inside and out, but becomes a mis-match on the perimeter for players his size. He also looks very comfortable on the wing, although he will probably see much of his time next season in the post. Has a good looking body, with solid athleticism. Competes hard and plays with good intensity. Good low post scorer. Active rebounder and a solid finisher. Looking forward to seeing more of him.
Andres Mayberry 5-10 SOPH PG Red Mountain HS - 2017
- Mayberry is the son of a coach and also the son of a player, so he was primed and ready to become a serious player from birth. A very heady PG prospect that controls the pace of the game and also makes players around him better. Plays at a very nice pace and has a superb feel for the game. Pushes the basketball up the floor and gets it to the open man. Excellent ball handler and passer. Good penetrator and finisher. Good shooter with range on his shot and shoots a high percentage. Very good defender with quick hands. A winner.
Morningstar Takapu 6-7 SOPH PF Millennium HS - 2017
- Takapu is another potential big-time prospect in Arizona's 2017 class. With continued hard work and dedication to his craft, this young man has the size and skill level to become a serious prospect for the future. Takapu has excellent size and strength on a large frame that allows him to play inside and out. He can score effectively on the low block with his back to the basket, or while facing the basket from mid-range. Shot selection can be questionable at times, so he will need to develop a better understanding of what is a good shot and how to better impact the game. He has such potential that he looks very attractive as a prospect. Looking forward to seeing much more of him in the future.
Kevin Mack 6-4 JR SF/PF Desert Edge HS - 2016
- Mack is my type of guy - not sexy, but gets the job done. A 3/4 combo-forward prospect that competes hard and is able to defend several positions on the floor. Has excellent toughness and work ethic, and is a key contributor for his team each time he steps on the floor. Does the intangibles and also is willing to defend the opposing team's best player. Solid offensive skills. Good mid-range shooter and post player. OK shooter from longer ranges. Good finisher in traffic and also capable of making plays in transition. Excellent rebounder for his size. Great teammate.
