The Southwest Basketball Camp took place over the past two days @ the Arizona Sports Complex Training Center in North Phoenix. Organized by tournament directors Gregg Rosenberg (Arizona Varsity / Prep Hoops) and Justin Vargas (The SHOW), this was the 4th annual installment of the event, and included more than (120) different Arizona prospects from many different classes. One of the few events that have taken place during the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was very well organized and allowed each of the prospects to compete on one main court for maximum exposure.
The games were well scheduled by the event staff, as the games were fast and moved very well throughout the event - allowing for many games and each of the prospects to play at their best. After (2) days of camp games, the event hosted several all-star games on the final day.
Here are the top overall performers I observed over the two-day camp (In no particular order) . . .
2021 Class Top Performers
Isaiah Brody 6-7 SR SG/SF Chandler High School - 2021 Class
Brody (pictured) is a big-time talent with loads of upside for the future. He has grown physically since I last saw him, and looks extremely long and rangy, with a variety of offensive skill-sets that allow him to play several positions on the floor and handle the basketball in the open floor. Brody is able to handle the basketball quite well from the point position and make plays for himself or others off the dribble - suggesting that he will be able to become a very versatile performer over time, as he matures physically. Can create off the dribble. Has a nice shooting stroke with unlimited range on his shot, and is a very good passer that sees the floor - making him very difficult to defend. His extreme length allows him to rebound outside of his area, and also block/change shots with regularity. Runs the floor quite well and enjoys a fast-breaking offense. A superb talent that has the ability to play at any level with continued hard work and focus. Has tremendous upside for the future. Selected as the Tournament MVP for his play in the event.
Jason Kimbrough 6-1 SR PG Mountain Pointe High School - 2021 Class
A very quick and explosive guard prospect that drives hard to the basket and finishes strong around defenders. Tough to keep outside of the lane. A very good finisher. Strong creator off the dribble, penetrator. An excellent ball handler and passer, floor general that knows how to run a team. A very good passer that loves to push the basketball up the floor. A very good shooter with some range on his shot. Good mid-range offensive guard that gets into the lane and finds the open shooter and cutters. Very good in the open floor. Has a strong, physical frame - college ready body. An excellent on-the-ball defender, and a lock-down defender for the future. A pure point guard prospect that can score. Has a great attitude and a leader.
Grady Lewis 6-8 SR PF Sunnyslope HIgh School - 2021 Class
Lewis a bigger stretch 4-man prospect can score with his back to the basket, but is at his best while facing the basket from shorter ranges, where he is able to make plays around defenders and also slash and finish at the basket. He is a strong finisher at the rim and inside the paint, and is also a strong finisher in the open floor. An active rebounder that is capable of rebounding outside of his area quite nicely. Rebounds on both ends of the floor. An active defender that plays passing lanes. I would like to see him focus much more defensively to maximize his potential as a player, and also develop his shooting stroke from longer ranges to open up his drives to the basket. A good shotblocker. Has excellent potential as a prospect with very good upside.
Eric Ramirez 6-7 SR PF Cibola High School - 2021 Class
A taller, longer developing stretch 4-man prospect that is just beginning to grow into his body and has excellent potential for the future, with continued hard work and development. As he gets physically stronger, he will begin to realize his true potential as a player. Active rebounder and finisher. Runs the floor hard. A solid low-post player that is still raw offensively, but has the potential to develop over time into a nice offensive post. Has a soft shooting touch out to 18 feet. Has good upside.
Jevon Humphrey 6-1 SR PG Chaparral High School - 2021 Class
This young man has grown on me over the past couple months, as I have seen him play a lot and am intrigued with his skillset and toughness from the guard position. A strong ball handler and driver of the basketball, that puts very good pressure on opposing teams with his ability to get into the lane and finish strong at the basket. Does not mind physical contact and plays with very good aggression. Gets into the lane almost at will. Pushes the ball up the floor. A good passer. Continued focus on becoming a play-maker will improve his overall stock as a prospect. A good shooter with some range on his shot. Has a strong mid-range game. An excellent defender with quick hands and feet. Capable lock-down defender over time. A solid overall guard prospect.
Jamison Kay 6-5 SR SF Gila Ridge High School - 2021 Class
A long, rangy wing prospect with serious upside for the future. Has an excellent motor. A nice talent that looks the part, as he is long, rangy with a nice overall skillset that allows him to handle the basketball in the open floor and also makes plays for himself and others. He is just beginning to realize just how good he can become, and, as he matures physically, he should round out into a superb prospect over time with very good overall versatility. Has range on his shot, but still needs to become more consistent from longer ranges. Good driver of the basketball off the dribble, and a good overall finisher. Active rebounder. Good ball handler and passer that sees the floor and pushes the ball up the floor. Has a nice overall feel for the game. Has serious upside for the future.
Tony Elliott Jr. 6-2 SR Desert Mountain High School - 2021 Class
A very intriguing guard prospect that looks the part and is simply different. A very skilled and crafty performer with good overall length of body and serious upside for the future. One of my favorite overall prospects in the event. Has very good size for his smaller height, as a result of his length and ability to play much bigger than his size suggests. Extremely athletic. A strong driver and finisher with either hand. Very good around the basket, and has an advanced mid-range game. A good shooter with range on his shot. A very good ball handler that can play either guard position. A good passer that makes players around him better. An excellent defender with good length that plays passing lanes. A very good shotblocker from the guard position. Has excellent upside and potential for the future. Want to see him more.
Steven Cervantes 5-11 SR PG Mesa High School - 2021 Class
I have loved Cervantes as a floor general for some time now, and you rarely see a guard prospect with as good of a feel for the game, advanced basketball IQ and command of the floor. While he is small in size and stature, Cervantes gets a lot done and is a true play-maker that can help make any team successful, as he is a pass-first point guard prospect that sees the floor at all times, and looks to always create scoring opportunities for his teammates. An excellent ball handler and passer that sees plays before they happen. A good driver of the basketball and finisher, that creates foul on opposing defenders. Crafty. A very good shooter with range, and takes good shots in the offense. Pushes the ball up the floor to the open man. A good on-the-ball defender. A good rebounder for his small size. Loves the game and it shows on the court. Love watching him play. His size will limit his recruitment, but he would be an excellent pick-up for any smaller college program.
Zayn Kimbrough 6-3 SR PG/SG AZ Compass Prep - 2021 Class
A big-time shooter and scorer that had a nice overall event. Among the best pure scorers of the basketball in the event. An excellent shooter with unlimited range, and capable of making shots with regularity in succession quickly. Has a nice ability to catch and shoot, or stop and pop from anywhere on the floor, and with defenders draped all over him. A very good ball handler and passer, so he can play both guard positions. Fundamentally sound. A very good defender. A good rebounder for his size. A very good finisher in the open floor. Can become a specialist in college. An intriguing guard prospect.
Zereoue Williams 6-8 SR PF Mountain Pointe High School - 2021 Class
Williams may be the toughest post prospect in the state, as he is a big post prospect with a strong physical frame that allows him to gain excellent low post position around the basket, and take up serious space in the paint. An aggressive low post-performer that has a very good motor and competes hard on both ends of the court for rebounds and 50/50 balls. Gives his team chances for more scoring opportunities with his tenacity and work ethic. Has a great attitude and approach to the game. Strong rebounder. A solid finisher. Not overly athletic but makes up for it with his toughness and ability to use his body. Run the floor hard. Advances the ball up the floor after rebounds. Just a competitor that every team needs. A Jamal Boykin (former Cal standout) body-type. Needs to develop his ability to consistently make 15 - 18 footers to maximize his potential as an offensive player.
Moses Demalek 6-7 SR PF Paradise Valley High School - 2021 Class
Demalek is a very long and athletic stretch 4-man prospect competes hard defensively and on the glass, and gets a lot done inside the paint. He is a strong rebounder and finisher in the lane. Gets to the free-throw line quite often as a result of his physical play. A good shooter with range, but does most of his work from mid-range and inside the paint. Enjoys physical contact. Runs the floor hard. A very good shotblocker that keeps the ball in play and pushes the ball up the floor after rebounds or deflections. Plays with good intensity, a hard hat worker in the paint. Has very good potential and upside for the future.
Calvin Kapral 6-9 SR PF/C Woodside High School (CA) - 2021 Class
A bigger post prospect with good overall activity on the floor. Still raw offensively but has a soft touch from mid-range. OK post post moves and footwork, but will develop. Runs the floor hard. A good finisher around the basket. Attacks the basket and gets to the free-throw line, as a result of his aggression. An active rebounder. Has some potential.
2022 Class Top Performers
Luke Kearney 6-6 JR SF/PF Sandra Day O'Connor High School - 2022 Class
Kearney is an intriguing prospect with good size and an improving offensive skillset. He has a nice ability to shoot the basketball with range, and looks very comfortable on the perimeter. He makes shots from longer ranges, which sets up his defender for strong drives to the basket. He is a strong driver of the basketball, but needs to continue to work on his ability to finish consistently. A good ball handler for his size. An active rebounder that competes. Runs the floor hard. Has versatility. Has some upside.
Brooks Jones 6-6 JR SF American Leadership Academy-Queen Creek HS - 2022 Class
Jones is a nice talent that looks the part, as he is long, rangy with a nice overall skillset that allows him to handle the basketball in the open floor and also makes plays for himself and others. He is just beginning to realize just how good he can become, and, as he matures physically, he should round out into a superb prospect over time with very good overall versatility. Has range on his shot, and is fairly consistent from longer ranges. Good driver of the basketball off the dribble, and a good overall finisher. Active rebounder that uses his length to be effective. Good ball handler and passer that sees the floor. Runs the floor very well. Very versatile and will become much more fluid over time. Has a nice overall feel for the game. Has serious upside for the future.
Michael Saba 6-7 JR PF Chaparral High School - 2022 Class
Saba is a bigger 4-man prospect that has good mobility and plays with good intensity. He has a good-sized frame and does not mind physical contact. A strong finisher in the lane and gets to the free-throw line quite often, as a result. A strong rebounder and finisher that keeps plays alive with his work inside the paint. Has a soft touch around the basket and from mid-range. Runs the floor hard. Has very good potential for the future.
Amir Locus 6-7 JR SF/PF Deer Valley High School - 2022 Class
Among the top overall sleeper prospects in the event. First time I have seen him and it left me wanting to see him more, as he has a nice overall skillset, but is just learning the game and how he can impact it. Has good overall versatility as a player, and is able to handle the basketball in the open floor and make plays for himself and others. Has an ability to create. Plays with good pace. A strong finisher around the basket. A good ball handler and passer for his size. Has a solid shooting stroke and has some range on his shot, which should develop over time with hard work and focus. An active rebounder. A very good shotblocker. Has very good potential for the future.
Carson Ledbetter 6-7 JR PF Casteel High School - 2022 Class
A developing stretch 4-man that has improved a great deal over the past two years I have seen him. A left-hander, Ledbetter has very good potential, as he runs the floor hard, competes and is not afraid of physical contact. A strong and active rebounder. A good overall finisher around the basket. A good low post player that is developing. Still raw offensively. Has very good work ethic. Has very good potential to develop over time. A good looking prospect for a smaller college program.
JP Musselman 6-6 JR SG Brophy Prep - 2022 Class
A bigger guard prospect that is fundamentally sound. A very good ball handler and passer for his size, that has the ability to make players around him better. Has a high basketball IQ. A very good shooter with unlimited range on his shot. A very crafty offensive player that has a good overall feel for the game. Quick off the dribble for his size and can create for himself and others with the basketball in his hands. A good facilitator. A solid defender. A good rebounder from the guard position. Has upside.
Anderson Wilson 6-4 JR SG/SF South Mountain High School - 2022 Class
An extremely athletic guard prospect that can change the game with his athleticism and ability to play above the rim on offensive put-backs and strong finishes to the basket. A left-hander, Wilson is a nice scorer of the basketball that simply makes plays. Can create off the dribble and finish strong at the rim. Has very good size from the guard position. Has a good overall skill level and will develop over time. Questionable shot selection at times, but he makes plays. A good shooter with unlimited range on his shot. Has a very good mid-range game. A very good ball handler and passer. Good in the open floor and a very good slasher and finisher. An excellent defender with quick hands and feet - plays passing lanes. An active rebounder. Crafty offensive threat. Has excellent overall potential over time, with continued hard work on his craft. An intriguing prospect.
Shemar Moore 6-3 JR SG Peoria High School - 2022 Class
A very athletic and skilled guard prospect that can play both guard positions on the floor, but is at his best as a pure scorer. An excellent overall athlete that would become a future NFL draft pick in football. A very good shooter with range and a pure scorer that competes hard and makes plays. A strong finisher in the open floor and a good overall slasher in the lane. An excellent rebounder from the guard position. An excellent overall defender that can change the game defensively. A good ball handler. A solid passer. A nice sleeper prospect in the loaded 2022 Class.
Julian Roberts 6-7 JR SG/SF Glenview College Prep - 2022 Class
A longer, rangy wing prospect with a nice shooting stroke with nice range on his shot. Still growing into his bigger frame, but he has excellent mobility and fluidity as a player. A left-hander. Has a pure shooting stroke. Could become a specialist over time with very good size. A fundamentally sound prospect with an advanced skillset. A good ball handler and passer. A solid finisher around the basket. Would like to see him develop his ability to create off the dribble more over time. A solid rebounder. A solid defender that plays passing lanes. Has very good upside.
2023 Class Top Performers
Andrew Camacho 6-1 SOPH PG Peoria High School - 2023 Class
Camacho is among the state's top overall prospects, regardless of class or position. He has excellent size, strength and toughness, and plays hard and with an excellent motor. He is much quicker and explosive than he looks, and he simply gets a lot done on the basketball court - playing with a chip on his shoulder at all times. He looks like a player that wants to be the best, and believes he is the best. A rare quality. He is a strong ball handler that is able to get to where he wants to on the floor, and relishes physical contact. A strong driver of the basketball and also a strong finisher that gets to the free throw line quite often. He is an excellent shooter already with very good range on his shot, and has an advanced fundamental approach to the game. He can score off the dribble or catching and shooting. I really like his mid-range ability to score and make plays. As he continues to mature physically over the next (3) years, he should really have his way with defenders, as he learns how to play even more with pace.
Zach Anderson 6-1 SOPH PG Desert Mountain High School - 2023 Class
Anderson is a sharp-shooting young guard prospect with a good overall feel and is fundamentally sound. Has excellent range on his shot. Has a strong handle of the basketball and a good overall feel for the game. Sees the floor and gets the basketball to the open man on the floor. A strong driver of the basketball and a good finisher in traffic. A good on-the-ball defender. Has very good potential for the future.
Nathaniel Parras 6-5 SOPH SF/PF Arcadia High School - 2023 Class
Parras is a good-looking young talent with very good size and an athletic frame that he is still growing into. He has a variety of skills, but he is still raw overall offensively. An OK shooter that has some range on his shot, but at his best from closer ranges on the floor still, at this point in his young career. A good rebounder and a good finisher that is developing. Has very good athleticism. Runs the floor very well, but needs to work on his overall motor to maximize his potential as a player. OK passer. Has upside.
