SWS Main Event: Saturday Recap
It was a very exciting day in Avondale today as the Southwest Showcase Main Event took place. From the early morning names were made and reputations were challenged. Top Performer Marvin Bagley 6’11” PF 2018 Sierra Canyon[CA] (Phoenix Phamily 17U)…
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Continue ReadingIt was a very exciting day in Avondale today as the Southwest Showcase Main Event took place. From the early morning names were made and reputations were challenged.
Top Performer
Marvin Bagley 6’11” PF 2018 Sierra Canyon[CA] (Phoenix Phamily 17U) – As expected Bagley was the top performer on Saturday. The sophomore forward opened Phamily’s first game with a quick seven points in less than two minutes. He posted up, attacked off the bounce (especially in transition), knocked down long range threes, got to the free throw line, and scored on put backs. The best high school prospect since 2003. A high major plus prospect.
Stock Risers
Steele Bennett 6’10” C 2018 Desert Vista (Factory) – Bennett has added some strength to his frame and it has helped him with his confidence. He is still long and mobile but looked much more comfortable catching and finishing at the basket. A Division-I level prospect.
Cody Carmichael 5’8” PG 2017 Ironwood (Arizona United) – Carmichael had a very impressive day. He was very aggressive in both of his games and got to the paint countless times. Even in a game against Factory, a team that bolsters a defensive minded backcourt, it was hard for guys to stay in front of him. Cody had trouble finishing at the basket (something he will need to improve) but he was able to draw defenders and find others. He played with good toughness and grabbed some rebounds in traffic. While he knocked down some shots from the perimeter he was streaky. His abilities to get past the first line of defense as well as push tempo in transition, however, are impressive. A small college level prospect.
Amarion Cash 6’2” SG 2018 Mountain Pointe (AZ Power Price 16U) – Cash had a very solid game for Power as they took on a bigger, more athletic Factory group. The sophomore guard has grown in stature and still possesses good length. He had a few nice plays, knocking down outside shots and scoring on aggressive drives to the rim.
Andre Harris 6’6″ PF 2019 Red Mountain (Factory 16U) – Harris had a very dominant game against AZ Power Price 16U. The 6’6″ freshman played with a lot of power around the basket and finished through contact. He was able to get position nearly any time he wanted and, as soon as Power got in striking distance, he seemed to make a big play at the rim.
Colten Kresl 6’0” PG 2017 Chaparral (Powerhouse Black) – Kresl has made some big improvements in the last few weeks. He’s trimmed his body some which has improved his quickness and is shows with his ability to handle the ball in tight spaces. He looked to create for others and played very tough, grabbing multiple rebounds among the trees. He could land anywhere from low major to D2/NAIA D1.
CJ Waters 6’5” F 2017 Gilbert (Firestorm) – Waters had a heckuva day. In his team’s opener against Arizona United he was clearly the best player on the floor. It was our first time seeing him in a premier role and he showed a very versatile skillset. CJ handled the ball more than usually and was able to drive to the cup and finish well. In his second game he was one of few players that attacked Factory’s size which resulted in him scoring or getting fouled every time. He also showed the ability to knock down shots from every level in addition to the ability to finish through contact. He played without the ball, screening well and grabbing rebounds on both ends. A D2/NAIA D1 prospect.
Holland Woods 6’0” PG 2017 Apollo (Phoenix Phamily) – Boo Boo had a solid outing. While he’s normally used to playing with the ball in his hands the majority of the game he showed that he can be affective with minimal touch time. He played very under control and looked to set others up. He still, however, found his opportunities to score on straight line drives and open shots, showing that he can balance the ability to score with being an unselfish playmaker. A mid major prospect.
New Names
Josh Holloway 5’11” PG 2019 Valley Vista (Factory 16U) – Holloway showed great quicks, especially with the ball in his hands. He was very good making plays in transition and definitely has some upside. Against AZ Power Price he collected a bevy of turnovers so he will need to improve his decision making but he’s definitely got a chance to be a solid point guard due to his physical abilities.
Kade Parks 6’4” F 2017 Queen Creek (Firestorm) – Parks looked very good in the day’s opener against Arizona United. The 6’4” forward played the 4-spot for the Firestorm but looked comfortable enough to play some 3. The first thing to note is his toughness and activity. He was everywhere on the floor, defending multiple positions and finding rebounds and loose balls that he had no business getting. He was able to finish through some contact and also showed good range on his jumpshot. Kade has a good feel for the game and made some precise passes from the high post. A small college level prospect for sure though it’s tough to proclaim a division at this point.
Khalid Price 5’10” PG 2019 Mountain Pointe (AZ Power Price 16U) – Price was very good in his contested against Factory 16U. The freshman guard seemed to make big play after big play at all the right times to keep his team in striking distance. He’s a scrappy player that brings toughness to both ends of the floor. He handled it against big, strong guards who pressured and also showed the ability to knock down open shots and finish from the mid range area.
Notable Performers
2016
Chris Bowling 6’7” SF Gilbert (Factory) – Chris had a solid day. He came off the bench in Factory’s first game and made an immediate impact, knocking down a corner three with total confidence. He was very good in transition in both games played, finishing above the rim, and also used his lengthy defensively to create some offensive opportunities. Bowling is a qualifier and has a chance at the low Division-I level.
Lawrence Combs 6’6” F Mountain Pointe (Powerhouse Black) – Combs had a very solid day. While he struggled to finish early he played extremely hard and embraced contact. He was relentless in his pursuit of rebounds and, eventually, finished through contact and got himself to the free throw line. A D2/NAIA D1 prospect.
2017
Elloheim Clark 6’2” G Apollo (Factory) – Clark looked very good on Saturday. He was much more aggressive than we’ve seen him in the past and it worked. Ell, as he is nicknamed by his peers, looked to attack in, both, the half court and transition. He used change of pace well which allowed him to get to the rim. A small college level prospect, likely D3/NAIA D2.
Curtis Hodges 6’8″ C Mountain View (Factory) – Hodges had a solid day. He has improved his hands and finished well at the rim. He was also solid on the glass. A low major prospect worth a higher look.
Nate Graville 6’7″ PF Gilbert Christian (Powerhouse Black) – Nate had a solid day, especially on the glass where he rebounded at a very high level on both ends. He had some nice finishes at the rim, some short drives, and defended both inside and out. A low major or D2/NAIA D1 prospect.
Kyle Klaus 6’0” PG Desert Ridge (Firestorm) – Klaus is playing in his first event since injuring his foot two months ago. He is a skilled point guard that played hard and with toughness. He really worked to create for others and took open shots from the perimeter. A D3/NAIA D2 prospect.
Saben Lee 6’2” G Corona del Sol (Powerhouse Black) – Lee entered the tournament ready to play. He opened up Powerhouse Black’s game against Aces Elite with a baseline drive poster jam over a defender. He played with great poise and confidence early. On both ends Saben made a lot of quiet plays that led to stops and baskets, especially in transition. A high major prospect
Dre Marin 5’11” PG Apollo (Factory) – Dre had a solid day. He didn’t do anything spectacular and, though his team put up some numbers, he didn’t score a ton. He controlled pace, was a vocal leader, and played with great poise. He knows never tried to do too much and made the right play nearly every time. A low major or D2/NAIA D1 prospect.
Malik Ondigo 6’9” PF TBA (Factory) – Ondigo is moving very fluidly. After a down senior season at Dysart it was nice to see him playing with confidence. He has improved the consistency on his midrange shot but settled some. He was best finishing when running the floor in transition. He also altered a lot of shots on the defensive end. A mid major prospect.
Jared Rodriguez 6’7″ F Mountain Ridge (Powerhouse Black) – Rodriguez had a solid day. He played the stretch forward position for PHH and did a good job at picking and popping, mixing up open shots and short drives to the rim. He also was pretty active on the glass. A low major or D2/NAIA prospect.
Nigel Shadd 6’9” PF Tri City (Factory) – Shadd had a solid showing. The junior has added some weight on his upper body while still managing to maintain mobility. He pursued rebounds as soon as they came off the rim and had some tip in finishes. A mid major prospect that’s worth a higher look.
Caden Towt 6’2” G Gilbert (Firestorm) – Towt played the majority of the game off the ball. He shot it well from the perimeter and played with great poise, knowing his limits and embracing his strengths. He moved well without the ball, cutting or spacing when his defender turned his head. A small college level prospect.
2018
Antonio Cuevez 5’10” PG Saguaro (AZ Power Price) – Cuevez had a solid game against Factory 16U. The dual-sport sophomore played very tough and aggressive, looking to constantly attack the bigs and draw contact. He was able to get to the free throw line as well as find open teammates when he got into the paint. A D3/NAIA D2 prospect.
2019
D’Mariaun Williams 6’3″ G Westview (Factory 16U) – Williams had a solid day. The freshman played a ton at the point guard slot when Holloway was out. He was poised and was able to use his frame to protect the ball and muscle defenders to the basket but is definitely more suited at the off guard slot.