This year's Arizona Preps Fall Showcase was as exciting as it has ever been, as the majority of top prospects in the state all participated in this year's 14th annual event. Over the last decade, the state's original showcase event has never disappointed in the ability to bring the state's top prospects together before the start to the high school season.
While there were a mere few of the state's top prospects who chose to sit out the event, missing out on the most national and regional exposure ever for a single showcase event in the state, the majority of the sttae's best basketball talent took advantage of the opportunity and will begin to see much higher college recruitment as a result.
One player who did not need the exposure, but instead relished the opportunity to compete against the best talent that Arizona had to offer was a mere 7th grader. Yes, only a middle school prospect. 5-foot-7 middle school prospect Jaylen Fleming, the nation's #1 rated prospect in the 2017 class, traveled from the cold city of Chicago, Illinois, all the way to the state of Arizona two weeks ago to take part in this year's Arizona Preps' event.
What was most amazing was Fleming and his father John Fleming traveled to this year's event on their own - seeking to play in an event that they had heard was a quality event, and one that they needed to be a part of.
Arizona Preps' staff writer Chris Hurst had met Fleming and his father while on a trip to Chicago a year earlier and while working with one of the nation's top trainers, Gannon Baker, had invited the young phenom to the state for the event. A year later, Fleming and his father jumped on a plane and came out to Arizona for the AZ Preps Fall Showcase.
"This was the best showcase event we have been to," said John Fleming after the event.
Jaylen, a wizard with the basketball in his hands and at such a young age, has made guest appearances already on such top-rated talk shows as Jay Leno (NBC) and also The George Lopez Show. Fleming has been regarded as the nation's top prospect in his class now for several years, and, as a result of his youthful exploits, has received serious national attention by the nation's elite basketball scouts and also has been one of the nation's most viewed prospects on You Tube - receiving millions of views worldwide.
With all of that said, Fleming came to this year's event as just another participant looking to play some basketball. And he did.
As the youngest player in this year's event, Fleming played much older than his age suggested, as he ran the point position for his team in the event with superior poise and showed extreme leadership amongst much older competition. Fleming handled the basketball with a strong feel for the game, got the basketball to the open teammate on the floor and created scoring opportunities for his teammates off the dribble. Fleming also created shots for himself and converted at a high rate - not lacking confidence or the ability to make plays.
Fleming has a unique quality as a young prospect that you do not often see in a player, as he is very mature for his young age and has excellent leadership qualities - unafraid to mix it up with much older players. Fleming was consistently seen in this year's event telling his teammates where to go on the floor, promoting defensive intensity to his fellow teammates and showing off extreme showmanship on the floor.
I had heard of Fleming before this year's event - most basketball enthusiasts around the country have. But after spending some time with Jaylen and his wonderful father John during the event, I quickly learned why this young man is at the top of his class and will go extremely far in whatever he decides to do in life. Fleming is highly well-mannered, disciplined and has a strong belief in God - all of which fuels him daily to work on his game 2-3 hours every day.
Arizona kids can take a nice lesson from such a young prospect. While he is rated among the nation's best young talents, he remains humble and continues to work.
While this year's Fall Showcase event will be a memorable one for its high level of play in the event, it will also be remembered for being host to a top-rated young talent with a very bright future ahead of him.
