The 8th Annual Southwest Basketball Camp took place this week in front of numerous scouts and media in attendance, and featured (120) different prospects from numerous different classes of prospects. Event organizer Gregg Rosenberg put together a nice collection of prospects over a two-day period, and held two different all-star games at the completion of the event. The event was held at the amazing PHHacility gymnasium and was exciting to watch, with so many prospects in action - looking to make a name for themselves and emerge among the state's top prospects in each of their respective classes.
After two different all-star games held at the end of the event, two prospects emerged as CO-Tournament Most Valuable Players for their play throughout the camp. Sandra Day O'Connor High School's 6-foot-5 senior versatile wing Melvin Stubbs Jr. (pictured left) and Perry High School's very talented 6-foot-4 junior guard LJ Diamond (pictured right). Both prospects were excellent in this week's event, and earned this honor.
LJ Diamond is a terrific prospect for Arizona's talented 2027 Class. After a recent transfer to 4-time consecutive State Champion Perry High School, Diamond is set to have a big junior season for the program, and is a very talented and gifted prospect that should see his share of Division-I college recruitment over the next year. He is coming off an excellent spring and summer performance also with a talented Dream Vision (CA) club program, so college coaches are now in hot pursuit of him for his college recruitment.
Diamond is one of the top 2027 prospects in the West and brings a nice skillset, versatility and a high basketball IQ to the court. LJ is known for his aggressive defense, leadership, and natural scoring instincts. His presence gives Perry an instant go-to player and future centerpiece of the program. At Desert Vista High School last season, Diamond averaged 10.8 points, 2.5 assists and 1.9 rebounds per/game. I expect these numbers to increase substantially this high school season, as he will certainly have a breakout season this year, and is worthy of becoming a Top 100 rated prospect for the 2027 Class nationally. His recent MVP performance certainly proves his talent as a college prospect, and seems to be the first honor of many more to come over the next two years.
This week's event was a coming-out-party of sorts for Melvin Stubbs Jr., as he certainly proved his extreme level of talent and promise for the future. Another Division-I college prospect, Stubbs has emerged as one of the top overall prospects in Arizona's 2026 Class, and is a very underrated prospect that college programs need to take a very hard look at, immediately. He is an excellent sleeper prospect that should garner loads of college recruitment this high school season.
Sandra Day O'Connor will be very talented as a team again this season, and the addition and play of Stubbs Jr. will be tremendous for this year's group. Stubbs is coming off a strong performance throughout the spring and summer with his AZ Select club program, so his recent MVP performance was consistent with his play. Stubbs should have a major breakout season this year for a loaded group @ Sandra Day, and I look forward to watching him this high school season, as she should become one of the hottest unsigned prospects in Arizona's 2026 Class.
Congratulations to both of these young men from our Arizona Preps' staff, and we look forward to following them both this high school season.
