(By: Antonio G. Castillo)
Phoenix, AZ-
Arizona
Preps hosted it's 21st Annual Fall Showcase this past Saturday, and 24
teams converged on Inspire Courts. Our staff was front and center, and
we recap just some of the top performers who stood out from the action.
(Desert Vista HS)
The best prospect on the floor Saturday was Osasere "Oso" Ighodaro. The
6'10" F is committed to Marquette University and in their early games,
you see why he became a Top 100 National prospect over the summer. His
athleticism, length, and ability to get up the floor effortlessly set
him a part. In the Thunder's two games, most of his damage came from
slashing and in close around the hoop, registering multiple flushes.
There is still so much upside for Oso, as he has showed during the summer the ability to play
away from the hoop and knock down the set perimeter shot.
Teammate and Guard Desean Lecque, only
a sophomore, showed flashes too. A well built frame, is very strong and
showed he's a load when putting the ball on the floor and attacking off
the bounce. Good quickness, and has the athleticism to cause problems on
both ends of the floor.
(Peoria HS)
6'6" forward, Kevin Kogbara (2020) is
a load. Just eye-ballin, looked to be around 215-220lbs, but is very
light on his feet. Gets up with ease and hammers the rim. Uses his size
and width down low while working on the block. He's very physical and
hit the boards rather well. A little undersized for the 4 spot, but
improvement in being able to face up or use a perimeter game from the
wing, will make him an even more intriguing prospect.
Freshman, Andrew Camacho had
a few moments. At 5'11" played majority off the ball, and when he got
the chance to let it fly, he would. Range beyond the arc, does a good
job of staying active and usually found him in motion, trying to find
space for a shot. Still very young, but with improved handles and if he
grows a few inches, could slide right into the two spot. If not, will
need to learn and show he can run the point in hope of transitioning to the next
level.
(Arizona Compass Prep HS Team)
A pair of guards led the high school team. Raishun "Tank" Wilson (2021), only
standing 5'11", exploded for multiple dunks showing off his athleticism
and leaping ability. From a purely athletic standpoint, was arguably
the most explosive athlete in the gym. Couple that with his quickness to
get by defenders and into the lane, then used his smarts to know whether
to facilitate or score from the point spot, made him very intriguing.
Backcourt teamate, Unisa Turay (2020), also
standing 5'11", has a similar game. Every bit as quick, but was seen
more using his perimeter attack from all around the court. Many times
would create space and stop on a dime, then rise, shoot over
defenders, and drain it.
(South Mountain HS)
A pair of young sophomores stood out. 5'9" Lareon Ginnis, who is a
well built guard who played both the point and off the ball. Showed off
his above average handles and a jump shot that stretched beyond the
three-point line. The young sophomore played poised and did not seem rattled at all.
Damarion Pouncil, a
very long, skinny, 6'7" low post, still raw, but showed flashes from in
close and the skills to operate from 10-12 feet. Used his length to
help on the boards, and was seen finishing strong at the rim. Bulking up
and refining some low post moves, Pouncil is prospect who's stock can
soar.
(Apollo HS)
In the early games on Saturday, Paris Woods was
consistently seen using his 6'4" frame and attacking the hole. The
junior has good length and time after time, would finish among traffic,
whether it was 2 or 3 bodies crammed in down low, or a 1 on 1 finish. He began to turn heads
as he registered a pair of thunderous dunks early on and continued in
having his way attacking off the dribble.
(Tucson HS)
Combo guard, Kaden Luna (2021)
showed off a nice shot, using the mid-range and sinking plenty of
outside jumpers, including three-pointers. At 6'1", is a little
undersized to be primarily off the ball, but showed decent to good
handles, and above average quickness to attack defenders. If he can
consistently run the offense as a floor general, facilitate and make
teammates better, mix that in with his perimeter game, you have an
intriguing prospect to the next level.
(Paradise Honors HS)
This Arizona Preps Fall Showcase did not lack athletes, and another a high flyer was Jerry Iliya (2020). A
nicely sculpted frame, the senior is an above average athlete wing who
thrived in the open floor and transition. Was the recipient of an
alley-oop pass about 30-35 feet from the rim and with ease floated in
the air and viciously threw it down. Showed his quick leaping ability
and used it well to hit the boards.
(Sequoia Pathway Academy)
Under new leadership, Head Coach George Courtney does have some pieces to work with, but the most impressive prospect was Jose Miguel Jr., a
6'5" do it all type prospect. He's long and lanky, defensively he
was typically seen guarding in the low post, but don't be fooled. On offense he
has the skillset to attack from the wing, deceptively quick and at times
looked routine in getting by defenders to score at the front of the
rim. Consistent mid-range ability from the outside, and although a quiet
demeanor, his play is loud in being physical and a magnet for hauling
in rebounds.
(Shadow Mountain HS)
The
post Mike Bibby era will surely be an intriguing one for the Matadors.
Star point guard Javon Blackshear was not in uniform, but there was
still plenty of talent and athletes on the roster. Shemar Morrow (2020), Davon Cobbs (2020), Ori Keedem (2020), Elijah Cole (2021), and Cashuel Scott (2022) all
had their moments in action. With the exception of Scott, all range
from 6'2" to 6'5" in height. Cobbs had the dunk of the weekend coming
full steam ahead down the lane and threw down a rim-rocking tomahawk, as
a defender made the mistake of jumping into his way. Morrow and Cole,
are straight up athletes and were effective primarily in close and
slashing to the hoop. Keedem just made plays, hitting a game tying trey,
and then an eventual game winner off of a running one-handed bank shot.
Scott,
only a sophomore was seen knocking down more than a handful of shots
from the outside. From the corners and wings, he had range and accuracy
all over the hardwood.
(Mountain Pointe HS)
A trio of guards led the attack for MPHS. Jason Kimbrough (2021) is
a knockdown shooter from the perimeter and will hurt you when left
unaccounted for. What makes him even a tougher guard is his quickness
and ability to put up shots with not much room. Fellow guard, TJ Tigler (2020) also
showcased his range, at one point connecting on three treys in a very
short span of time. Both have the skillset and ball handling ability to
also take their defenders off the dribble and get into the paint to score the ball.
One more freshman who came onto our radar was Mark Brown. The
5'10" point guard showed off above average ball-handling skills, an IQ,
and a maturity that you typically don't see from a very young floor
general. He showed off a nice touch and had no problems in hitting from
distance. Is surely one of the up and coming prospects in the Valley of
the Sun.
(Moon Valley HS)
With no Trent Hudgens, two other seniors stepped up and took the lead. 6'5" James Burries (2020) and Malak Malak (2020). Similar
in height and length, but Burries has a developed physique he uses, to
compliment his athleticism and getting to the bucket to do damage. Above
average athlete who rebounds well for a wing.
Malak
shares the same height, is longer, but not quite as strong. More of a
perimeter, wing extended player. Had a knack for slithering his way into
the lane, used his long arms for scoring from point blank, or driving
into the paint and pulling up.