Arizona's 2022 Class of prospects is absolutely loaded, and another top-rated prospect in the class is St. Mary's High School's talented and very athletic 6-foot-6 rising junior wing prospect Garrison Phelps. Phelps is coming off a nice breakout sophomore season for himself, and now is looking to become a household name in the state as a junior, whether there is a high school season this year or not.
The son of longtime Division-I college coach Dionne Phelps, who is currently the Director of Operations for the also loaded Dream City Christian Prep basketball program in Arizona, Garrison comes from excellent basketball bloodlines and is destined for greatness, on and off the basketball court. His mother Lisa Phelps is among the elite in her business profession across the country also, so Garrison was raised right and at a high level - expecting a level of excellence in everything he does.
While playing for St. Mary's High School over the past two seasons, Phelps has helped the Knights program rebuild into one of the elite programs again in the West, after the program saw it's struggles in years past. While being coached by legendary Arizona guard and former Division-I coach (Pepperdine) Damin Lopez, Phelps has developed nicely and at a nice pace. He is now ready to breakout and become one of the top wing prospects in the West, and, I believe, will become one of the top overall 2022 prospects in the country by his senior season.
Currently, Phelps is generating loads of division-I interest from college programs, although he has yet to actually receive his first scholarship offer. But once he receives one, many more will pour in. College coaches seem to be focusing on many other prospects currently in the class, but once they get to know Phelps they will rush to get in line for his commitment.
Much of the reason that Phelps is a little under the radar, at least from an offer standpoint, is that Phelps and the St. Mary's players stay close to the Knights' vest, and do not participate in much outside of the St. Mary's program. Also, due to the cancellation of the spring NCAA Evaluation Period and, currently, the summer NCAA Evaluation Period, many college coaches that were preparing to line up to see Phelps in action, did not and have not had the opportunity. Once they do get to see him though, watch out, as Phelps is a serious prospect with advanced potential for the future.
Phelps is still growing a great deal and has really grown physically over the past two years that I have observed him as a player. He has now grown to 6-6 in height and continues to get stronger physically, and is an ultra-athletic wing prospect that can make plays from anywhere on the floor. He plays well above the rim these days and is a highlight reel performer, either in transition where he is now as good as any prospect in the state, or while slashing to the basket in the half-court set. He will only will get much more impressive physically over time, and it is almost scary to think that he still has two more years of high school basketball left under his belt.
Phelps has really improved in his ability to make shots from anywhere on the floor, as he has improved his ball handling and ability to make shots consistently from longer ranges on the court. His play-making ability is also much improved, according to Damin Lopez, and he has become a catalyst for the Knights' future offense, as much of the offense will go through him.
St. Mary's is absolutely loaded with division-I talent for the future, and the Arizona basketball community will eventually get an opportunity to see just how good they are and will be, as soon as the COVID-19 pandemic allows for high school basketball to fully pick back up. When it does, everyone will see what I am talking about, as Garrison Phelps is definitely one major bright spot for the Knights' program, and a serious prospect on the rise.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Phelps is still growing a great deal and has really grown physically over the past two years that I have observed him as a player. He has grown a great deal physically and is much stronger, and has become one of the state's most athletically gifted prospects. Phelps is able to play several positions on the floor, and will continue to develop in this area of versatility for himself as a player over time. Over time, this fact will be very important for him, as it will make him very valuable to college programs in the future. He is a good shooter of the basketball with range on his shot, and also has a good mid-range game that allows him to make plays off the dribble for himself and others. Phelps has a very high basketball IQ as a player, as a result of being around the game his entire life and working with some of the best coaches in America as a youth. His developed understanding of the game has allowed him to become a nice play-maker on the floor, and will significantly benefit him in the future. Phelps is a "Scottie Pippen-type" of player and prospect - a bigger wing with serious play-making ability. Phelps is also an active rebounder and finisher that rebounds outside of his area, and is able to start the fast break after collecting the basketball and pushing the ball on the break, where he is very productive in the open floor. He is also a good shotblocker, as a result of his length and athleticism. He also has a good overall motor and gets a lot done on the floor. Phelps is a budding young prospect with excellent potential and upside for the future. One of the most athletic wing performers in the state, regardless of class.
