It was a long summer for Arizona's top prospects, and also the Arizona Preps' staff, as we both traveled the summer club circuit throughout the busy recruiting month of July. After covering numerous events throughout the month, there were numerous prospects from the state that participated in events, and helped themselves a great deal with their play. There were also numerous prospects on the move - either coming to Arizona to play or leaving the state to play elsewhere.
Here are my top summer performers from the state of Arizona's 2018 class. I saw a lot of games and players throughout this summer, and these individuals proved to have the best summer performances. These are not simply the best players in the state but rather the individuals that helped themselves the most with their play (in no particular order) . . .
Top Arizona 2018 Summer Performers
Timmy Allen 6-6 SR SF Desert Ridge HS (Phoenix, AZ) AAU/Club Team: Compton Magic
The best prospect in Arizona’s 2018 class. Allen (pictured) had a very good performance on the summer Adidas Gauntlet circuit while traveling with the Compton Magic. Allen is a very skilled wing prospect with a nice overall feel for the game. He is a very good shooter with range, and is able to create his own shot for himself off the dribble almost at will. A fundamentally sound prospect with a nice overall repertoire of skills. Has a quick release on his shot. A good ball handler and passer that sees the floor and makes players around him better. A solid defender but needs better lateral quickness defensively. A very gifted performer, Allen has generated loads of interest and offers, but has trimmed his recruiting list down to 5 schools for the fall – UCLA, Texas Tech, Iowa State, Utah and San Diego State.
Tevian Jones 6-6 SR SF Chandler HS (Chandler, AZ) - AAU/Club Team: Cal Supreme
Jones participated with a very talented Cal Supreme team on the Nike EYBL circuit, and proved good maturity this summer. He is a very nice talent with a high motor and excellent athleticism for the future. Tevian is a high level athlete with a nice ability to score in transition and slash to the basket. Jones has developed his offensive ability to make shots from the perimeter with excellent range on his shot, which has really improved his overall offensive ability. He has nice length for the small forward position, and as he adds physical maturity he will blossom into a serious talent. A very good looking prospect for the future that should really develop with continued hard work. Has tremendous upside.
KJ Hymes 6-11 SR PF/C Hillcrest Prep Academy (Phoenix, AZ) – AAU/Club Team: The Phamily (EYBL)
Hymes changed teams during the summer – leaving the Las Vegas Prospects and finishing with the Phamily and playing on the EYBL circuit. Hymes is a long, athletic post talent that is capable of playing as a 5-man, but enjoys playing as a stretch 4-man. Hymes is a nice talent with serious upside for the future. Hymes is a very rare find in the state. He is a very nice talent that has excellent potential for the future. Hymes needs to add serious physical strength for the future to maximize his potential as a player. He has a lot of potential for the future but is still growing a great deal. Hymes already has more than 20 different division-I offers for himself. He has decided to transfer schools and will play his senior season at local Hillcrest Prep Academy.
Nikc Jackson 6-8 SR PF Rancho Solano Prep (Scottsdale, AZ) – AAU/Club Team: Power House Hoops Black
Jackson had a good summer performance for himself - very consistent each time I saw him perform. He is a potential combo-forward prospect that is capable of playing both forward positions on the floor. He is primarily utilized as a 4-man, but could develop into a combo-forward at the next level with continued hard work. He is a skilled and long athletic forward prospect with excellent versatility and a tremendous knack for the basketball. He is an excellent offensive rebounder that uses his length and good timing to keep balls alive and finish plays inside the paint. His length also allows him to be an excellent shotblocker that has the ability to block and keep balls alive, while also changing shots effectively. Jackson is a very good low-post scorer with excellent footwork, and his left-handed shooting ability makes him difficult to defend around the basket, as he is able to score from different angles off the glass. He is also an effective shooter of the basketball from mid-range and can also step outside to three-point distance and make shots. Jackson also runs the floor very well and is an excellent finisher in the open floor. This young man has excellent potential for the future and is among the best sleeper prospects in Arizona's 2018 class, and in the West. Jackson has decided to transfer schools for his senior season, and will play for Rancho Solano Prep.
Jared Martin 6-5 SR SG Prolific Prep (CA) – High Mid Major Prospect AAU/Club Team: Powerhouse Hoops Black
Martin was solid all summer long, doing what he does best – make shots. He is an excellent shooter of the basketball with range. A specialist for any team that he plays on, as he stretches the defense a great deal, and also is able to create a shot for himself and others off the dribble as well. Martin is a very nice talent with good size for the shooting guard position. He is an excellent shooter from the standstill position on the court, and also is able to shoot while on the move as well. Still needs to develop his ability to makes plays off the dribble to maximize his potential as a player. A good ball handler and passer. Solid defender. Has decided to transfer schools for his senior season, and will play for Prolific Prep (CA) – leaving Saguaro HS.
Wesley Harris 6-5 SR SF Desert Vista HS (Phoenix, AZ) – AAU/Club Team: Compton Magic
Harris had a good overall summer and led his team to a runner-up finish in the Pangos Sweet 16 in California. Harris is an exciting performer with an ultra-live body and motor, and serious bounce off the floor - allowing him to make plays on the court that most prospects cannot make. Harris uses every bit of his good motor to make plays on both ends of the floor. To maximize his potential as a college prospect and to develop as a player, Harris will definitely need to shoot the basketball better and with range, but his ability to play above the rim is glaring and allows him to compete at a high level. An OK ball handler and passer. A solid mid-major prospect.
Meekness Payne 6-7 SR SF/PF Arizona Compass Prep (Chandler, AZ) – AAU/Club Team: Powerhouse Hoops Red
An athletic combo-forward that has very good versatility and work ethic. As a result of his work ethic and desire to be a player, Payne has developed a great deal in a short period of time. Payne is a very good shooter of the basketball and has some range on his shot, which opens up his ability to make plays off the dribble and around the basket. An active rebounder that rebounds outside of his area, and is also a very good finisher inside the paint. He has a good jump hook and good low post footwork as well, which allows him to play inside and out. A good mid-range shooter and performer. Runs the floor hard and is an excellent finisher in transition. A very good low post defender – capable of defending smaller players on the perimeter. A good passer out of the post. A strong sleeper prospect that will only get better over time.
Trey Wood 6-9 SR PF Anthem Prep Academy (Anthem, AZ) – AAU/Club Team: Powerhouse Hoops Black
Wood is a long, thin post prospect with a huge upside for the future. Still growing into his body, Wood is a nice talent that should develop a great deal. A good low post player with a good jump hook and an ability to shoot the basketball out to 15 feet. Has good range on his shot as well and is able to stretch the defense. Still needs to develop physically to maximize his potential as a player. Has good low post footwork. Runs the floor extremely well and is a good finisher with either hand. A very active rebounder and shotblocker. Good passer and has excellent work ethic.
Jaxson Baker 6-7 SR SF Brophy Prep HS (Phoenix, AZ) – AAU/Club Team: Powerhouse Hoops Black
Baker had a solid overall showing this summer and raised a lot of recruiting attention for himself in the process. He is among the elite shooters of the basketball in the 2018 class, and has very good size and length on his body – a big shooter, specialist. He has a quick release and unlimited range on his shot. Gets his shot off nicely against defensive pressure. Plays with excellent confidence. A solid ball handler and passer. Best at the 3 position. OK defender. Solid rebounder. Has very good upside as a player. Should develop nicely over time and, as he adds more physical strength, will see his game develop nicely as well. Good sleeper prospect.
Sam Beskind 6-3 SR PG/SG Catalina Foothills HS (Tucson, AZ) – AAU/Club Team: Powerhouse Hoops Black
One of the more underrated prospects in the class, Beskind is a gifted guard prospect with a nice overall skill level, excellent toughness and very good athleticism. These attributes as a player make Beskind a definite sleeper prospect in the class that is worthy of serious college attention. Beskind is a strong performer on both ends of the floor, and is a load for opposing teams to defend. A very good shooter with range on his shot, Beskind is a very skilled guard prospect that extends the floor and is also very tough off the dribble to defend for opposing guards, as he has a strong physical frame and is very tough off the dribble. He is a very good finisher in the lane and in traffic over defenders, where he likes to draw physical contact and finish plays. Also a strong rebounder for his size that plays much bigger than his size suggests. A very aggressive prospect that competes at a high level on both ends of the floor. A good on the ball defender and team defender, Beskind is a two-way player.
Jaylin Fleming 6-3 SR PG Arcadia HS (Phoenix, AZ) – AAU/Club Team: Powerhouse Hoops Red
Fleming is coming off a good summer showing where he showcased his ability to attack off the dribble and make players around him better. A pure point guard prospect with excellent size for the position. He handles the basketball with a strong feel for the game, and is able to get the basketball to the open teammate on the floor, while also being able to create scoring opportunities for his teammates off the dribble. Fleming plays with a high level of confidence and provides excellent leadership on the court, which rubs off to his teammates. Fleming is very mature for his young age and has excellent leadership qualities. He pushes the basketball up the floor to the open man and likes to pass the ball without a dribble - a fundamentally sound performer. He is an OK shooter of the basketball, and still needs to add more consistency to his shot from longer ranges, but his size allows him to be best from mid-range while shooting over smaller defenders. A good finisher in traffic that uses a variety of floaters in the lane. Fleming is an active rebounder and his size allows him to be effective. With more continued focus in this area, he will maximize his potential as a player. A good on the ball defender with quick hands.
Ian Burke 6-4 SR PG Brophy Prep HS (Phoenix, AZ) – AAU/Club Team: Powerhouse Hoops Black
Burke had his best showing of his career this summer, and was very consistent in his play. He is a bigger point guard prospect with a good overall feel for the game, and a nice shooting stroke with range. A good handler of the basketball that keeps his head up and sees the floor. Pushes the basketball up the floor to the open man. A solid defender. Good rebounder.
Bryce Meadows 6-1 SR PG Arizona Compass Prep (Scottsdale, AZ) – AAU/Club Team: California United
Meadows has really developed over the years and I am impressed at how he has matured physically. He proved just how much he has developed this summer, through playing strong from the point guard position and making players around him better through his vocal leadership as a player. A nice point guard prospect with a good overall feel for the game and an ability to score the basketball. He plays with superior confidence and has an excellent body already. He has command-presence on the floor and likes to have the basketball in his hands, where he makes plays for himself and others. He has good size on his frame and good physical strength. He should develop nicely over the next year
Koby Jones 6-3 SR SG Centennial High School (Glendale, AZ) – AAU/Club Team: Powerhouse Hoops Black
When Koby was in a position to play major minutes this summer, such as in this year’s Southwest All-American Camp, Koby proved to be an excellent athlete with a strong physical frame and bouncy athleticism. He runs the floor very well and is an excellent scorer in transition. An excellent slasher and finisher. Has a solid shooting stroke with range. Needs to become a better mid-range player. An active rebounder. A very good defender with lateral quickness – plays passing lanes. A solid ball handler. An OK passer. Plays with a very good motor.
Breven Burnett 6-5 SR SF Cienega High School (Tucson, AZ) – AAU Team: Arizona Power Tucson
Burnett emerged this summer as one of the top sleeper prospects in Arizona’s 2018 class. Burnett is a skilled combo-guard prospect that likes to handle the ball and make plays for himself and others off the dribble. The younger brother of former Indiana State guard Brandon Burnett. A skilled combo-guard prospect with good size. Can score inside and out. Has good range on his shot, which allows him to set up defenders nicely for drives to the basket. Can create off the dribble and make plays for himself and others. Has a good overall feel for the game. A good rebounder. A good defender with lateral quickness for his size. Has the potential to develop into a low to mid major prospect over time. An intriguing player and prospect with upside.
Quentin Guliford 6-6 SR SF Liberty High School (Glendale, AZ) – AAU Team: The Factory
Guliford was one of the best surprise performers of the club season. The athletic wing prospect has an excellent ability to finish plays at the rim, and can score with either hand in traffic. He has excellent length on his rangy frame and plays much bigger than his size suggests. Runs the floor extremely well and is an excellent finisher in traffic. A good shooter from mid-range and a capable three-point shooter. An active rebounder and shotblocker. A solid ball handler and passer. Plays with a high motor. A serious sleeper prospect that will make a smaller college program very happy.
Zeke Quinlan 6-6 SR SF Hillcrest Prep Academy (Phoenix, AZ) – AAU/Club Team: Branch West Academy
Quinlan moved to the state of Arizona this summer from the state of Oregon, and will now play his senior season at Hillcrest Prep. He is now one of the top overall sleeper prospects in the state of Arizona’s 2018 class. A skilled wing prospect with good size and length. He has a good overall skill level and a nice, athletic frame. A solid shooter with range that needs to add consistency from longer ranges to maximize his play on the floor. A good mid-range player. Has solid low-post skills. A strong and active rebounder. A very good finisher. Runs the floor well. A native of Oregon, where he played his high school basketball, Quinlan is a sure-fire prospect that should gain a lot of attention from mid-major programs this high school season.
Jaden Lee 6-2 SR PG/SG Mesquite High School (Gilbert, AZ) – AAU/Club Team: Powerhouse Hoops Red
Lee is a big-time athletic talent that is able to make plays for himself whenever he has the basketball in his hands. Can score from anywhere on the floor. As a result of his tremendous knack for scoring the basketball, he is at his best as a shooting guard, but has the potential to play as a point guard also. A good ball handler. An OK passer. A very good finisher in traffic and in the open floor. A good shooter with range on his shot. Very explosive. A good on-the-ball defender that needs to focus more on this area of his game, as he can become a lock-down defender at the next level. A really nice sleeper prospect.
Ajang Aguek 6-7 SR SF/PF Ironwood High School (Glendale, AZ) – AAU/Club Team: Adidas United
Aguek is a very intriguing prospect with excellent length of body and a lot of true-upside to his frame. He is still growing a great deal physically and has excellent potential over time. Likes to play on the perimeter, where he is still developing a great deal. Can score inside and out, but is at his best now from around the basket, until he becomes more consistent from longer ranges on his shot. An active defender and rebounder, that uses his lengthy frame to make plays. A good shotblocker. Runs the floor very well and is a good finisher. Has an excellent motor. A big-time sleeper with loads of potential for the future. With continued hard work, he should develop nicely over the next 1 to 2 years.
