No player in the state has blown up, as of late, as much as Sunnyslope High School's rapidly developing 6-foot-9 junior post Michael Humphrey. Humphrey missed the spring evaluation period as a result of an injury to his thumb, but he has returned in super fine fashion - recently earning an invitation to the prestigious annual Reebok Breakout Camp in Philly during the NCAA Open Period. The Reebok Breakout Camp will aid significantly in the recruiting process of Humphrey, as he should boost his college recruitment a great deal.
Humphrey is worthy of serious high-major college recruitment. This young man has improved as much as any player in the state over the last year. In fact, he was selected as our 2013 Arizona Preps Most Improved Player of the Year. Humphrey developed into one of the state's most gifted post prospects last season.
No longer is Humphrey simply a long, skinny low-post talent with potential. Humphrey has now developed into a long, athletic and very skilled low post talent that is capable of scoring from almost anywhere on the floor. Humphrey has grown physically a full 3 inches over the past year of high school – an intriguing attribute which shows that he is still growing a great deal. His fluidity as a player is most intriguing as he is able to make plays from the post or from the wing position, and out to three-point distance. Humphrey possesses a sweet shooting stroke with a sift touch and also has nice footwork inside the painted area, where he also has a nice jump hook and gets off the floor quite easily. Humphrey dunks the basketball with ease and is able to finish strong over defenders in the paint, an aspect of his game that will only continue to strengthen for him as he adds more size and strength to his thin frame.
Humphrey is also an excellent shot blocker with excellent length and very good timing. He keeps balls in play and is capable of playing much bigger than his size suggests. He also runs the floor like a guard and is a very good finisher in transition.
On Saturday in the first round of this year's Southwest Showcase Summer Championships at Avondale Sports Complex, another huge event organized by hard-working and successful Ron Coleman, Humphrey flat out went to work. In two games played on the day, Humphrey was a dominant force - dunking the basketball with authority over defenders, catching lobs, blocking shots, scoring in the paint and running the floor with vigor.
According to Team Power/Arizona basketball scout Gregg Rosenberg, Humphrey was a force on the day - impressing Rosenberg with his play a great deal.
As a member of the state’s very loaded 2014 junior class, Humphrey is one prospect that has flown well below the recruiting radar until now. Numerous division-I programs are already beginning to show serious interest in him as a college prospect - something that will only develop a great deal over the next several months. Such schools as Arizona State, Stanford, Portland, Wright State, Iona, Niagara and Alaska-Anchorage are all expressing serious interest in Humphrey currently.
Look for Humphrey to continue to develop a great deal over the next year, and if he can continue his rapid progress as a player, then look for him to make a serious rise in the rankings for the class – something that will not be easy to do in such a loaded class of prospects.
Humphrey is also an impressive student and carries a 4.5 CUM GPA. Humphrey has never finished with less than an A grade since entering high school. An impressive student-athlete with loads of potential.
