The Adidas Elite 8 In The Desert presented by Muscle Milk got underway in fine fashion on Saturday morning with games taking place as early as 8AM, and at several gym locations around the valley. With many teams traveling to the state of Arizona to take part in this year's event from the states of California, Nevada and New Mexico and all around the state of Arizona, there was a lot of exciting basketball action taking place on the day.
Arizona Preps was in attendance for this Saturday's competition and caught a lot of the action from the day. With Mother's Day taking place on Sunday, I wanted to catch as many of the teams in the 17 & Under Division on the day, since it would be imperative that I spend Sunday with my mother and wife - honoring the both of them for their patience in allowing me to cover the best in Arizona high school and junior college basketball.
Here are the top individual performers that I saw on the day Saturday. While there were many and I did not see every Arizona team play, these are the individuals that really stood out with their strong play on the day ...
Elston Jones 6-9 SOPH PF Millennium HS - 2014
- Jones has quickly developed into a serious high major division-I prospect. Playing this spring with the Compton Magic at the 17U level. Jones is a formidable post presence with excellent size already and is still growing a great deal. After suffering an injury late in the high school season, Jones is back and fully recovered. Rebounded well and blocked and altered shots in the game I saw him in on Saturday. Good scorer around the basket area with a left-handed shooting stroke. Still developing his low-post footwork. Runs the floor. Will become an absolute low-post force over time.
Casey Benson 6-2 SOPH PG Corona Del Sol HS - 2014
- Benson showed again on Saturday that he can turn it on and off as he wants to. Such an unselfish point guard prospect, Benson, at times, will forget to look for his own shot. When he does, he is automatic and with range on his shot. Handled the basketball very well against pressing defenses and also got the basketball, as he always does, to the open man on the floor. Led his band of 2014 teammates against 17U competiion in this weekend's event, and proved that he is a force to be wreckoned with - regardless of the competition.
Gary Payton Jr. 6-3 Prep SG Westwind Prep - 2012
- Payton remains unsigned this spring as a result of the NCAA's reluctance to approve the classes from Westwind Prep. The son of former NBA legend Gary Payton and a native of Nevada, Payton is a big-time athletic talent that soars above the rim and possessing a long, rangy body on a smaller sized frame. His length and significant bounce off the floor are very attractive attributes for him and he showcased just how athletic he can be on Saturday with several big-time dunks over defenders. Also a very good slasher and open-court player that finishes very well and has a very good knack for scoring the basketball. A tweener for the shooting guard position, his athleticism and long wingspan makes up for his lack of size. Still undecided and, if he is not cleared by the NCAA, will be a very nice juco prospect.
Zylan Cheatham 6-7 SOPH SF South Mountain HS - 2014
- Cheatham continues to impress with his ability to slash, score in the open floor and make plays in the mid-range. Still developing his perimeter skills as a player, but he is developing fast - especially since he has only played the game for several years. His length and athleticism are glaring and he has really benefited from the heigtened competition this spring. Will only continue to improve throughout the remainder of the spring and summer months, as he is still learning just how good he can become.
TK Edogi 6-7 SR PF Valley Vista HS - 2012
- Edogi has almost been missing in action for the last few weeks, as he has played uninspired basketball and went from very hot to very not. Saturday he was back on target, as he played with a much better motor and showed the athletic talent that made him a very attractive prospect heading into the spring. One of the best low-post dunkers of the basketball around. When he wants to, he is also a strong rebounder and a very good scorer around the paint. Simply put - this young man can be as good as he wants to be when he focuses. Just needs to be coached and developed, but a big-time talent.
John Marshall 6-1 JR PG Desert Vista HS - 2013
- Marshall is having an excellent spring, among the best in his class thus far. Marshall's toughness as a player and amazing work ethic are exemplary, as no one in the state works harder on or off the court. His strong, physical build allows for him to overpower defenders en route to the hoop and his excellent handle of the basketball is a nice asset as a point guard. Has good quickness and is an excellent on-the-ball defender. Very good passer that sees the floor and pushes the basketball. Strong finisher at the basket and gets to the free throw line quite often. Has really improved his jump shot and made numerous shots off the dribble on Saturday. Has grown into a solid mid-major prospect.
Derrick Bowers 6-2 SR SG St. Mary's HS - 2012
- Bowers is among the best athletic talents in the state, regardless of class. While he still utilizes his athleticism almost too much at times, rather than allowing the game to come to him, he is so athletic and physically strong that he is able to make plays most cannot. Still learning the game, but his ability to slash and score offf the dribble are attractive. A nice talent that will only develop with some coaching. Has an excellent motor, maybe the best around. Has a good shooting stroke but has questionable shot selection at times. Excellent defender with terrific toughness.
Mike Hauser 5-11 JR PG Saguaro HS - 2013
- Hauser was the best shooter on the day, as he put on a big-time shooting exhibition from all over the floor in his Arizona Stars team's narrow victory over the Arizona Magic Elite. Hauser has a very quick and accurate shooting stroke with unlimited range on his shot, and he is able to get it off very easily. Shoots the basketball the way players once shot the basketball and has an excellent feel for the game. An unheralded prospect in Arizona's 2013 class, but definitely a name that smaller programs need to remember. Really knows how to play the game. A good ball handler and passer that sees the floor and is very unselfish. Solid defender, will not hurt you. Competes.
Dalvin Brown 6-8 SR PF North HS- 2012
- Brown is still undecided as to whether he will head the juco route or go to a prep school, and, either way, he looks to be ready to play through the summer months. Among the best post talents still available. Still getting into shape physically, since he missed the entire season of action due to AIA eligibility rules. Has excellent size on his frame, which allows him to overpower most post players inside. As a result of being out-of-shape physically, he is not getting off the ground as well as he has been accustomed to, but he is a load for opposing post players to handle. Excellent offensive rebounder. Good passer out of the low post. Still developing his perimeter skills, but is capable of making shots out to 15-18 feet. Capable shotblocker. Runs the floor good for his size.
Pablo Rivas 6-5 SOPH PF Cesar Chavez HS - 2014
- Rivas is a very athletic post prospect with a high motor and an excellent knack for the basketball. Has very good lift off the floor and a quick jump off the floor, which allows him to outrebound bigger post players and block shots effectively. He is also a very good finisher around the basket. and has developed his low post moves. Has also developed his ability to make shots out to three-point distance, although he is still a work in progress from the perimeter. A little undersized as a power forward, this high-energy young talent makes up for it with his athleticism and great motor. One of the better talents in Arizona's 2014 class.
Charles Benson 6-6 SR PF Amphitheater HS - 2012
- Still unsigned, Benson has received a lot of attnetion from division-II programs as of late, including recently taking an official recruiting visit to the University of West Florida. Still playing through the spring before reaching his decision, Benson has been really strong this spring in his ability to compete and help his Arizona Magic Senior team win a lot of games this spring. Rebounded hard and finished strong around the basket on Saturday - leading his team to a victory over the Compton Magic (CA).
Chris Miller 6-3 JR PG/SG Greenway HS - 2013
- Miller is a very nice looking prospect that is very underrated and is coming off an excellent junior season where he averaged 20+ points per/game. Has excellent size as a point guard prospect and is able to play both guard positions on the floor. Has very good athleticism on a nice looking body with size. Has a very nice shooting stroke with range. A very good ball handler and passer, but at his best scoring the basketball. A good defender. Able to make plays off the dribble for himself and others. A nice sleeper prospect that is worthy of low to mid-major attention.
Connor Patterson 6-6 SR SF/PF Gilbert Christian HS - 2012
- Patterson is still an available, unsigned prospect and is definitely one of the best available. A strong, athletic prospect that is capable of playing either the small forward position or as a four-man. Plays with back to the basket or while facing the basket from the perimeter. Strong rebounder and a good finisher around the basket. Still developing his perimeter skills but a good looking prospect that is worthy of serious attnetion from division-II programs.
LJ Harmon 6-8 SR PF/C Cesar Chavez HS - 2012
- Harmon is among the best low-post prospects that are still available this spring. Had almost forgot about him, since I have not seen him this spring until Saturday. He has really developed over the past two years as an offensive low-post threat. Has good length of body. His ability to rebound and finish inside will only get better over time as he continues to get better coaching at the next level. Has very good upside. A good looking low post prospect late. Has a good future ahead of him with continued hard work.
Tate de Laveaga 6-2 SOPH PG/SG Westwind Prep - 2014
- Tate is having a very good spring thus far for hismelf, especially after a sophomore season at Horizon HS where he saw some struggles. Playing for his father Jeff de Laveaga, Tate has looked very comfortable and has proved it - scoring the basketball off the dribble and shooting very well from three-point distance. A tough, hardnosed competitor. Competes hard and loves to win and hates to lose. A very good ball handler and penetrator. Still developing his ability to make other players around him better.
Travis Meeker 6-3 JR SG Red Mountain HS - 2013
- Meeker has been a bright spot this spring. An excellent athlete with a very good shooting stroke. Plays well above the rim and dunks the basketball with ease. Has a very good motor. Shoots the basketball with confidence and has range on his shot. A good on-the-ball defender. A good ball handler and passer. Good slasher and finisher. A nice looking prospect for a smaller program.
Michael Carter Jr. 6-0 JR PG Parker HS - 2013
- Carter is coming off a very good junior season and on Saturday he turned in his best performance of the spring. Carter is a pure-point guard prospect that is a good handler and passer and knows how to play the position. Scored effectively off the dribble on Saturday and showed a much-improved jump shot. Good penetrator and finisher. Good on-the-ball defender. Still developing as a point man against better competition but has already made great strides. As he continues to play with more confidence he will reach his full potential as a player.
