Club basketball in the state of Arizona has developed significantly over the past 10 years, as more and more of today's youth continue to play the sport. As a result, there have been a significant increase in the number of club teams in the state. WIth so many club teams now competing in Arizona, only a select group actually travel outside of the state. Whether in Arizona or outside of the state, the top club program in the state this spring was definitely Team Bibby.
Organized just years ago by former NBA star guard Mike Bibby, the Team Bibby club organization has proven that they have the state's top boys and girls club teams, and at many different age groups - winning numerous tournaments this spring club season.
In this year's inaugural Arizona Club Basketball League (ACBL), the Team Bibby organization would win the 17U and 16U levels of the league in amazing fashion. Team Bibby 17U boys would dominate the league in it's first season, as they would finish with a 10-0 record - proving they are the class of the state this club season. Amazingly, Team Bibby 16U boys would also dominate their division in the league - also finishing 10-0 during the league. A compiled 20-0 record by the program during a league filled with the state's best players and teams.
The ACBL was formed to give the top club teams in Arizona the chance to play top competition, while preparing for weekend tournaments, as well as gain maximum exposure to colleges, media, and fans in the state. Team Bibby proved that they are the state's most prepared club program for the summer evaluation period.
Shadow Mountain Hih School's ultra-talented and skilled 6-foot-4 rising senior guard J.J. Rhymes was terrific in this year's ACBL - leading all scorers in the league with a nice 23.5 points per/game scoring average. Rhymes has been terrific all spring, as he has proven that he is an elite prospect for the 2016 class in the West.
Rhymes is an athletic guard prospect with a nice motor and a strong ability to score basketball off of slashing drives to the basket. He has very good body control and finishes effectively against bigger defenders. He plays much bigger than his size suggests and is an excellent finisher and open court player. His left-handed prowess makes him difficult to defend for opposing defenders. Rhymes is already hearing from a number of division-I programs for his services, and he should gets loads of attention this summer.
Talented 6-foot rising senior guard Byron Murphy (5.5 assists per/game) and rising senior star guard Michael Bibby Jr. (4.9 assists per/game) both led the ACBL league in assists. Fairfax HS 6-foot-4 rising senior Kevin Mack is always tough on the glass and plays much bigger than his size suggests . Mack ranked #3 in the league in rebounds with 8.0 rebounds per/game.
The Team Bibby program's concept has been consistent across each of their teams and also amongst boys and girls - play hard and tough. The sheer toughness of the Team Bibby program helps them to overpower most teams and keeps them in close games aginst tougher opponents. They are a rare find among Arizona basketball but a welcome addition - representing the state of Arizona nicely in national and regional competition.
