It was a big day on the campus of Glendale Community College on Saturday, as the annual and exciting Arizona Preps Fall Showcase took place again in front of a large number of fans and participants for the event. The 17th annual edition of Fall Showcase was action-packed and as exciting as ever, once again, as participants for this year's event traveled from California, South Dakota and even Candad to take part in the event.
Making this year's event one to remember though was the college decision of the state's top 2016 high school basketball prospect - Gilbert Christian High School's athletic and talented 6-foot-9, 210-pound senior post Mitch Lightfoot. After months of mulling over his recruiting options, Lightfoot elected to announce his final decision at this year's event - making for an exciting atmosphere for college scouts, media, players and fans in attendance. The announcement by Lightfoot was awesome and showed serious class on his part, as the Arizona basketball community was able to take part in his final decision - making the annual Arizona Preps Fall Showcase now to home for making college decisions.
Current San Diego State future star performer and former South Mountain High School 2014 graduate Zylan Cheatham announced his decision to attend San Diego State University at the 15th Annual Arizona Preps Fall Showcase in exciting fashion, in front of a nice crowd in attendance at the event. Cheatham set the precedent and Lightfoot continued the tradition.
With many members of his family in attendance and by his side, Lightfoot chose to pull a University of Kansas hat out of a large box - announcing his decision to play for the historic Jayhawk's basketball program.
Lightfoot took each of his five recruiting visits before making his decision - one of the biggest decisions in Arizona high school basketball history. Lightfoot chose Kansas over his other four final schools - Arizona, Stanford, Utah and St. John's.
A decision by an Arizona basketball prospect has not had the excitement and buzz created by Lightfoot's decision since the fall of 2006 when current NBA player, Jerryd Bayless (Milwaukee Bucks), announced his college decision at St. Mary's High School. Arizona Preps was also involved in that decision as well, but did not have the opportunity to host the event like that of Mitch Lightfoot's decision.
Mitch Lightfoot and his family were amazing in their handling of this event, and Arizona Power club coach John Ortega was instrumental in making it happen. It was an electric day as different club coaches and scouts and media all came together for this important decision in Lightfoot's life - an excellent example of what it could be like in the state of Arizona with everyone working together. It may or may not continue to happen, but I really hope it can, because it is all and only about the kids. Thanks to Mitch Lightfoot and his family, it was proven just how good it can be when differences are put aside and everyone comes together.
Who will announce next year? Top-rated girl's prospect Kiara Edwards from Valley Vista HS was in attendance and gave tremendous support for the event. After the event, Edwards announced that she will make her decision at the Fall Showcase in 2017.