Scottsdale Junior College, under the strong and passionate leadership of Head Coach Mark Bunker, has gone to new heights in a short period of time. Bunker has worked tirelessly to build the junior college program, and has been very successful in making the program one of the top Division-II junior college programs in the West. Bunker was our selection as Co-ACCAC Coach of the Year during the 2019-2020 season. Last season, after building another strong team, the season was cancelled by the ACCAC due to the COVID pandemic. Mark Bunker and Scottsdale JC will return this junior college season, and look to compete for the Division-II Conference title.
Coach Bunker was nice enough to give Arizona Preps a preview of this year's team, with detailed information on each of his freshman and sophomore prospects. Here are many of the top prospects to look for this junior college season within the Scottsdale Junior College program.
Scottsdale Community College (AZ) 2021-2022 Recruits
Isaiah Floyd 6'3" 185 lbs G 2nd-year FR High School: AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, AZ)
Isaiah is a very special athlete that has a chance to play at a very high level. He is a downhill scorer that can play the 1 or 2. He shoots with great range well beyond the college 3-point line, has elite athletic ability, and can score in multiple ways. Defensively he has great instincts and uses his quickness and speed well to stay in front. He is the most gifted talent I have ever had in my program, and that includes 1st-team All-Americans and several D-I athletes.
Unisa "UU" Turay 5'10" 165 lbs G 2nd-year FR High School: AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, AZ)
UU is a ultra-quick and shifty PG that can score in bunches. He has great play-making ability and makes very good reads in transition and the open floor. His size hasn't been an issue as he is able to finish well over bigger guards and use his pace to create separation. He is a tough nosed guard that likes to pick up 94 feet and does a great job of creating turnovers.
Cam Faas 6'6" 210 lbs W 2nd-year FR - Qualifier out of High School - High School: Arcadia (Phoenix, AZ)
Cam is the rare diamond in the rough that we are very lucky to have found. He is an athletic wing that has a pure shot from deep. Cam also scores very well from 15-18 feet off 1-2 dribble moves. Cam was a late bloomer in high school, and has improved tremendously this past year. He reminds me a lot of Xavier Fuller (2019 NJCAA 1st-team All-American), but he is also a high academic achiever and has no issues in the classroom. Cam has the ability to leave after 1 season and would benefit many programs that need size, athleticism and shooting on the wing.
Tyree Tyler 6'6" 210 lbs W 2nd-year FR - Qualifier out of High School - High School: Skyline (Mesa, AZ)
Tyree is a hard-nosed and athletic 4/3 man that has great strength and athletic ability. He is currently more of a 4 man, but is developing well with his ball handling to be serviceable on the wing. He is currently a good mid-range shooter and an average spot up 3 point shooter. He has a very high motor that allows him to come up with offensive rebounds, loose balls, and keep plays alive. He can defend the wing and the post due to his athletic ability and for how strong he is.
Dante Gonzales 6'4" 190 lbs G RS-SO - Transfer from University of Tennessee-Martin - High School: San Tan Charter (Gilbert, AZ)
Very highly skilled and high basketball IQ guard that can play multiple positions for us. Can score it well, but is probably our best passer and playmaker to get other guys involved. Long arms and quick feet make him a very strong defender for us as well. He makes a ton of tips and deflections for us all over the floor. Strong student that should have no issues in the classroom or off the court.
Edin Smjecanin 6'8" 240 lbs F 2nd-year FR - Transfer from University of South Dakota - High School: Mesquite (Chandler, AZ)
Big and strong with good touch around the rim and out to the 3-pt line. Is more of a pick and pop 5-man, but can post up well and bang down low due to his size and strength. High basketball IQ and very intelligent. Is a very strong student that will have no issues in the classroom.
Tyler Curvey 6'1" 200 lbs G RS-SO - Scottsdale CC 2019-2020 team member - High School: Hamilton (Chandler, AZ)
Strong combo guard that can make an impact on both ends of the floor. Is an instant offense type guy where he can score quickly and in bunches. Very natural leader that will be one of our team captains this season. Is more of an undersized off-guard or wing than a point guard. Very strong student that also will have no issues in the classroom or off the court.
Kendyl Watson 6'7" 220 lbs W 2nd-year FR - High School: Paradise Valley (Phoenix, AZ)
Kendyl is a combo forward with a lot of potential. He carried an offer from a Mountain West program out of high school, but academically he did not qualify and will need to graduate. He has good size and skill on the wing and scores well. Kendyl needs to improve his endurance as he is only able to contribute in short bursts. He has great genes as his brother is currently playing for the Toronto Raptors. He will need a minimum of 2-years with us to graduate, but with the COVID-19 year this past season he was able to stack a few credits already.
Carson Kelly 5'10" 160 lbs G FR - Incoming Freshman - High School: Chandler (Chandler, AZ)
1st-team all-state and pretty much all-everything out here in Arizona out of high school. Should be on a 4-year roster, but he felt he wanted a better fit and did not have a ton of opportunities due to Covid and the transfer portal filling up. Very gifted scorer and passer. Can make an impact on the offensive end at any point because he shoots the ball so well and handles the ball so well. Needs to put on weight and get stronger, but other than that he is a very polished player. Good student that should not have any issues off the court.
Darian Masi 6'9" 210 lbs F FR - Incoming Freshman - High School: EduPrize (Gilbert, AZ)
High-motor and very athletic 5-man. Dunks just about everything and is still very raw skill wise. Good shot blocker, and has decent feet to switch and stay in front of smaller guards. Has good form on his shot and is adding range to his shot. He is a very capable 15-foot shooter now. High energy guy that will be able to make an impact on both ends.
Jimari Grayson 6'1" 180 lbs G FR - Incoming Freshman - High School: Mesa (Mesa, AZ)
Downhill and very athletic point guard and off guard. Very strong and able to finish with contact. Needs to be more consistent with his jumper as that is his current issue, but has spent a lot of time in the gym and can knock down when open. Super quick and does a great job of staying in front and turning the guy he is guarding. Very young for his class, will turn 18 in September. Average student that will need to graduate, but should not need a ton of monitoring.
Elijah Cole 6'6" 200 lbs G FR - Incoming Freshman - High School: Shadow Mountain (Phoenix, AZ)
Long and athletic guard that makes plays on both ends. Can handle it well and could play point guard if needed. We are loaded at that spot and will use him more as an off-guard and wing. Has good hands and instincts on defense and will be a lock down guy for us on the wing. Very competitive and a great young man, it will be fun to watch him develop for us.
Thomas Hastings 6'2" 180 lbs G FR - Incoming Freshman - High School: Basha (Chandler, AZ)
Pure shooting off-guard, has greatly improved just from this summer. Good athlete that finishes well around the rim. Can score in bunches and once he gets hot he doesn't miss often. Has great range out beyond NBA range. Good defender that played for a defensive minded high school coach. Came in with great skills on that end from the start. Presidential honors student that will be very strong in the classroom.
Jake Benci 6'3" 190 lbs G 2nd-year FR - Qualifier out of High School - High School: Cactus Shadows (Cave Creek, AZ)
Highly talented guard that is a good athlete and pure shooter. Has a strong body that allows him to cover and guard well at multiple positions. Very strong student that is currently a 4.0 student for us.
Shamar Grant 6'2" 180 lbs G 2nd-year FR - High School: Taylormade Prep (Phoenix, AZ)
Gifted downhill guard that will potentially sit out this season for us. Has to sit for the 1st semester, but is back on track in the classroom this Fall. Can play the point or off guard, was able to see him compete against us as a post-grad player and battled well against our several D1 guards and he held his own the entire game. Will be a score or distributor on offense, and can defend well 94 feet.
Best Regards,
Mark Bunker
