The exciting annual Valley Invitational, organized by basketball aficionado Phil Lowe and Lowe Sports, has quickly become a clear glimpse into the state's next rising basketball stars for the state of Arizona. This event is a tremendous opportunity for the state's top young talent to test their skills against one another, and provide clarity on the best up-and-coming basketball talent the state has to offer. This event is always a must for myself, as the top performers from the Valley Invitational go on to become the state's next projected stars for the high school basketball ranks.
The event organizer and founder of Lowe Sports (a consulting and media company), Phil Lowe, has created a terrific event for the state, as Lowe has worked very hard over the years to help develop Arizona basketball. Lowe came to Arizona via Chicago, Illinois, over 10+ years ago, and since coming to the state, he has been successful at many different levels. Lowe has gone from leading Eduprize to a state championships in the CAA (Canyon Athletic Association), when he was coaching, to helping student athletes and families navigate the recruiting process and representing these student athletes in the NIL space. His connections to Division-I coaches runs deep, as college coaches trust and value his basketball expertise and, more importantly, the type of man he is and what he stands for.
Through his platform, Lowe has written a book entitled "Truth Be Told" which helps guides student athletes and families on the recruiting process (will be released in December). He also features himself on social media almost daily with messages to the basketball community regarding very cutting-edge topics - educating viewers on very difficult subjects that he has mastered through many years of experience.
This year's version of the Valley Invitational was special and took place last weekend on the campus of AZ Compass Prep. The event featured several all-star games on the day and an electric atmosphere with a DJ spinning some really nice music, which helped set the atmosphere. I was able to attend (2) of the (3) all-star games for the day, which featured the state's best prospects from the 2030, 2031 and 2032 classes. The talent was very high in both all-star games I witnessed, and I came away very impressed with this crop of young talent for the future. There were top performances from many different prospects on the day, but here are the young elite prospects that made their biggest impression on me on the day. Here are my top individual performers from this year's Valley Invitational . . .
Valley Invitational 2030 / 2031 Upperclassman All-Star Game (In No Particular Order)
Draylon McClinton - A big-time low post prospect with excellent physical size on his young frame. A football star as well, McClinton will have a big decision to make over time, as he will be a complete stud either direction he chooses. A strong rebounder and finisher. A very good low-post scorer that uses his body effectively, and gains excellent inside position. Has vey good toughness. Runs the floor well. Has a very bright future and will continue to grow a great deal.
Jacob Lewis - A future star guard prospect with an excellent feel for the game and a high skill level. An absolute scoring machine, when he decides to get a bucket, but allows the game to come to him, and does not force it. Fun to watch, as he is a very slick ball handler and driver that can make plays off the dribble at a high level. Excellent in transition and in the open floor. A very good shooter with range that also has an advanced mid-range game. Plays with superior confidence. One of my favorite prospects on the day. Hit the game-winning shot over a defender from deep to lead his team to a victory.
Tyler Dwyer - A walking bucket. Dwyer looks to score almost every time he has the ball in his hands - looking to be aggressive offensively and make a play. Dwyer is a skilled, bigger guard prospect that plays with relentless aggression off the dribble and attacks the rim from almost any angle on the floor. He has a good shooting stroke with range on his shot, but is at his best from mid-range and while attacking off the dribble. A very good ball handler. Excellent in transition. A strong finisher that will develop a great deal over time. A big-time future prospect.
Kian Ghaemmaghami - A bigger prospect for his age, Kian already possesses high school-ready size and skill level. He is also able to play inside and out and has very good mobility. Has a very good skill level and a nice shooting stroke with range. Good low post scorer. Has excellent upside. Really excited about his potential for the future.
Trenton Cason - One of my favorite overall prospects from the event. Cason is an electric guard prospect with a pure feel for the game, but is also able to score effectively as well. A strong ball handler and passer - a floor general. A strong driver and finisher. Has a nice shooting stroke with range, and also has a strong fell for his mid-range game. Knows when to make a play. Pushes the ball up the floor. A big time young guard prospect.
Mark Burnell III - A very small point guard prospect that reminds me of a young Cohenj Gonzales (Former Pima JC star guard / Metro State). A very small guard prospect with a high level of skill. Plays very fast and is a pure point guard that sees the floor very well, pushes the ball up the floor and also can score at a nice level when he decides to. A very good ball handler and passer. An excellent shooter with range on his shot. Plays with superior confidence. Fun to watch.
Valley Invitational 2032 Underclassman All-Star Game (In No Particular Order)
Trenton Lowe - A terrific young guard prospect that has a very advanced feel for the game. An excellent ball handler and passer of the basketball, that sees plays before they happen. A unique skillset. Can get to anywhere he wants to on the floor. Has a nice mid-range game and an ability to get into the lane and finish around or through defenders. Has a unique ability to weave in and out of traffic. Pushes the ball up the floor to the open man at all times. An excellent defender with quicks hands and feet. Creates turnovers. A future star in the making and has a very bright future ahead. Son of a coach.
Kyrie Gordon - An excellent young prospect and another one of my favorite prospects for this event. Has very good size for his young age with nice length of arms and legs, suggesting that his upside is through the roof. Very skilled for his young age and is advanced in his development. A very good driver and finisher. Has a good mid-range game. Can score inside and out. A very good passer that sees the floor very well, and enjoys making the pass. Runs the floor very well and is a very good finisher in transition. Has a very bright future.
Javell Lindsey - A very skilled combo-guard prospect that run a team and also lead the team in scoring with his ability to make plays and shots from almost anywhere on the floor. Has a nice shooting stroke with excellent range on his shot. A strong driver and finisher in traffic. A strong ball handler. Very good scorer in the open floor. A very good looking guard prospect for the future.
Julius Thompson - An excellent smaller guard prospect that is a floor general with the ball in his hands. Makes plays for himself and others and knows how to run a team. Also an advanced scorer of the basketball that makes plays off the dribble, almost at will. A left-hander with a very quick release on his shot. Thompson has a high skill level and is a strong passer of the ball - sees the floor well. Made some very big shots down the stretch for his team in the event.
Pictured Draylon McClinton (left) and Trenton Cason (right) from this year's Valley Invitational.
