Pima College had the best season I have ever seen in the ACCAC last season, as the program won the conference with an amazing undefeated 32-0 record for the season. The team finished 35-1 overall on the season and almost won an NJCAA Division-II National Championship - falling just short and losing just one game the entire season. The season was a testament to the greatness of Head Coach Brian Peabody, who was been highly successful in the state of Arizona as a head coach at all levels for more than (30) years. As a result of the program's tremendous success this season, each of the program's top sophomore prospects landed at four-year college programs of their choice this spring, while gifted 6-foot-7, 210-pound stud freshman prospect Mason Hunt will now return for his sophomore season, and look to lead the Aztecs back to dominance during his second season.
In the world of college basketball, few stories capture the imagination like that of Pima College rising sophomore prospect Mason Hunt. Hunt turned in an excellent freshman season and helped lead Pima College to a flawless 32-0 record and this year's ACCAC Division-II Conference Championship - the best basketball season in the ACCAC or Pima College history. Hunt’s contributions were pivotal for Pima Head Coach Brian Peabody, who was selected as the ACCAC Division-II Coach of the Year. Hunt averaged 11.1 points and 4 rebounds per game, while shooting 45.6% from the field. Hunt's consistent performance last season for the Aztecs, earned him the ACCAC Division-II Freshman of the Year honor, cementing his status as one of the nation's top juco prospects for the 2026 Class. Hunt's potential extends far beyond this remarkable season. With his combination of size, athleticism, and versatility, he’s poised for a standout college career. As a big-time talent, the best is yet to come for Hunt.
Hunt was one of my top overall prospects in Arizona's 2024 Class, and he has been a prospect that I have talked about for some time, so his tremendous success for Pima came as no surprise. While many other prospects in the class previously received much more and higher recruitment than Hunt, I believe this young man has the potential and skillset to have an excellent college career for himself. Hunt is a very gifted prospect with size, athleticism and a very versatile offensive skillset. I have watched him develop over the past (5) years, and have been impressed with his potential, since I first saw him as a freshman in high school.
While Hunt also received his share of college recruitment this spring, and he had many college options for himself, Hunt has decided to make the right decision for himself and return for his sophomore season at Pima, where, under Peabody and his staff's leadership, will look to become the top returning sophomore prospect in the conference next season, alongside other top projected performers like Yavapai's Jason Parent, who is also a close friend and Northern Arizona product, like Hunt. Hunt's decision to return to Pima for a sophomore season, should benefit him a great deal in his college recruitment, and land him many Division-I options for himself.
Hunt is set to have a big sophomore campaign for himself, after he averaged double-figures as a mere freshman on a sophomore-led Pima team last season, that was absolutely loaded. Hunt's ability to impact last year's group consistently, proved his potential for the future. He should have major numbers for himself as a sophomore - a direct result of the work ethic that Hunt has and has displayed throughout his young career. I look forward to covering Hunt and the Pima team all season next year, as the Aztecs look to build on the amazing success they had last season.
I will continue to follow the recruitment and performance of Mason Hunt closely, and bring you updates as they continue to develop this fall.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Hunt has good size and has grown a great deal physically, but he still has some upside. He has a very good overall skill level and is fundamentally sound as a player. He is a good shooter with range on his shot, and has grown to become more consistent from longer ranges. He is a strong driver of the basketball and finisher. He is very athletic and is a strong finisher, as he has matured physically a great over the past couple years. He has a very good mid-range game. Hunt has good versatility as a ball handler and can create his own shot. He is also a good passer of the ball. He is a strong rebounder. He is a solid defender, but I would like to see him focus on this area of his game to maximize his potential as a player. He has the potential to become a much better one-on-one defender against quicker perimeter players with hard work. I would like to see him maximize his motor on both ends of the floor, to maximize his potential as a college prospect in the juco ranks. An excellent college prospect that will round out a terrific juco career, when it is over.
