Southwest Basketball Camp 2020 Superlatives

The last two days Justin Vargas and I put on the 4th annual Southwest Basketball Camp at the Arizona Sports Complex in Phx, AZ. 104 players from Arizona, California, New Mexico and Michigan battled it out. 12 teams with 8-9 players each. Each team played 4 games with a possible All-Star game. The All-Star games lived up to the hype with many coaches walking away impressed with what they saw and 6 basketball offers were given out so far.   Let’s take a deeper look at who stood out at 30 different categories: Most outstanding player: [player_tooltip player_id="809671" first="Isaiah" last="Broady"] (Chandler) -He was sensational in many games and almost unguardable during stretches.   Best passer: [player_tooltip player_id="809694" first="Moses" last="Demalek"] (Paradise Valley) -A rare 6’7 forward who makes ALL players better around him.   Fastest upperclassman end to end: [player_tooltip player_id="1024118" first="Brandon" last="Jackson"] (Heritage Maricopa) -The faster the game gets, the better he becomes. He has elite stamina and real speed. A perfect fit for his new HS of "7-seconds or less type of ball".   Fastest underclassman end to end: [player_tooltip player_id="1029809" first="Tarik" last="Spencer"] (Valley Vista) -This kid has serious jets. He puts his foot down and he’s gone. He looked like a track star that was hooping.   Most versatile junior: [player_tooltip player_id="1029812" first="Anderson" last="Wilson"] (South Mountain) -A long wing that handles well, played PG for his team, made passes, defended multiple positions, played above the rim, made 3’s plus plays with a motor.   Most versatile seniors: [player_tooltip player_id="809694" first="Moses" last="Demalek"] (Paradise Valley) -A rare point forward at the 4-spot is a next level passer, big time defender and makes shots from all 3 levels. [player_tooltip player_id="809696" first="Jamison" last="Kay"] (Gila Ridge) -Played the 1-3 both days with the ball in his hands often making plays and defended the 1-4 plus hitting deep 3’s.   Best upperclassman athlete: Elijah Black (Mount Miguel-CA) -A freak athlete that has the windmill in his bag whenever he wants to. Probably a legit 40-inch vert type of athlete.   Best underclassman athlete: [player_tooltip player_id="1029809" first="Tarik" last="Spencer"] (Valley Vista) -Has incredible open court speed and plays above the rim! https://twitter.com/EVisionAZ/status/1291237460064661505   Best shooter for a forward: [player_tooltip player_id="714798" first="Nicolas" last="Giliberto"] (Paradise Valley) -WATER! A clean stroke and was super consistent. Easily one of the best shooters in the class locally.   Best shooter for a guard: Junior Hodnett (Rio Rancho-NM) -The New Mexico guard had everyone buzzing of how well he shot it. He may not be the next Josh Baker, but wow, he has a PURE stroke.   Deepest shooting range: [player_tooltip player_id="827044" first="Easton" last="Reagan"] (Desert Mountain) -Another top-tier shooter has some range in his game from the volleyball line.   Quickest shooting release: [player_tooltip player_id="809728" first="Yahir" last="Garcia"] (Tucson) -The Top-20 contestant needs very little time and/or space to get that thing off his hands.   Top "dog" of the camp: [player_tooltip player_id="932155" first="Kaden" last="Luna"] (Tucson) -He is as tough as a player I have seen this year. Relentless pursuit of energy and a huge aggressive motor to do anything. He scores it and defends!   Top newcomer to the state: [player_tooltip player_id="1012864" first="Isaiah" last="Shaw"] (Phhoenix Prep) -Another pure stroke is also considered a top-shooter in the class locally. The lefty makes it look easy but also is an impressive passer.   Best pull-up: [player_tooltip player_id="959690" first="Tre" last="Bell"] (Heritage Maricopa) -He was the pull-up king of the camp. He may have made 5-7 in his 5 games played. It is sudden and he gets great elevation for it not to get blocked. Good weapon to have for an undersized guard.   Best on-ball defender for a guard: [player_tooltip player_id="703811" first="Jason" last="Kimbrough Jr"] (Mountain Pointe) He is strong, fast with elite lateral quickness. He is a shut down corner giving everyone he guarded his "A" game.   Best on-ball defender for a forward [player_tooltip player_id="809694" first="Moses" last="Demalek"] (Paradise Valley) -Crazy length, good strength and big time lateral movements helps him defend the 1-4 on the perimeter.   Best rebounder: [player_tooltip player_id="1024120" first="Khabri" last="Davis"] (Glenview College Prep) -His people told me this is a Dennis Rodman type of player. Well, they were spot on. He is a ferocious rebounder with his length, motor, athleticism and desire to get the board.   Most efficient: [player_tooltip player_id="814532" first="Brandon" last="Trilli"] (Desert Vista) -He made shots from all 3-levels but did it efficiently. Scored anything around the hoop but also stepped out and made some deep shots at a good rate.   Most likely to run through a wall to make a play: [player_tooltip player_id="1029810" first="Will" last="Way"] (Pusch Ridge) -He may have been on the floor diving more then anyone I have seen in years. He has incredible natural strength with wider shoulders to use his body all over the court to make a play. Fun player to watch!   Most likely to play college basketball and then become a NFL player: [player_tooltip player_id="809687" first="Zereoue" last="Williams"] (Mountain Pointe) -He has an insane frame/build with length and athleticism. He is in great shape at 6’7 245 and moves so well. He can easily be a professional lineman if he chose to go that route after his college basketball career.   Best motor: [player_tooltip player_id="941624" first="Daryian" last="Matthews"] (Dysart) -He isn’t that tall at 6’5 but tell the players he played against since he was the one who usually came up with the ball to rebound. He just keeps jumping, keeps pursuing the play no matter where he is on the court.   Best separation from defender: [player_tooltip player_id="809671" first="Isaiah" last="Broady"] (Chandler) -He has one of the those tight crossovers, that if you stay too close to him, he may make you fall or you will be all of a sudden 5-feet away from him. You know it’s coming and yet most were "shook" and he was taking a wide open shot after he created the separation with his handle.   Best feel for the game: [player_tooltip player_id="703827" first="Steven" last="Cervantes"] (Mesa) -He may be one of the shiftiest guards in state. It is very hard to get a read on if he is going slow, fast, stopping, going, shooting or trying to blow-by you. He is super creative from shooting, scoring and passing.   Best fundamentals for a big: Calvin Kapral (Woodside-CA) -"Mr. Fundamentals" was named by Shaq about Tim Duncan. He may not be Tim Duncan but he has a polished right and left hand hook he can make very consistently. He is extremely smart, patient and skilled near the basket. He can also step out and shoot it.   Best teammate: [player_tooltip player_id="809687" first="Zereoue" last="Williams"] (Mountain Pointe) -Two years in a row now he won my "best teammate" award. Just watch him off the court, he is constantly cheering on his teammates. Then on the court he will run over and pick you up and even a player on another team. He has high character and class.   Breakout players: [player_tooltip player_id="1008612" first="Julian" last="Roberts"] (Glenview College Prep) -I have only seen film on him, but seeing him live made me appreciate his gifts. The lefty has a pure stroke with length and made the Top-20 game. [player_tooltip player_id="1029812" first="Anderson" last="Wilson"] (South Mountain) -The aforementioned Wilson was a virtual unknown and made the Top-20 game. [player_tooltip player_id="1030345" first="Chase" last="Mayo Harmon"] (Deer Valley) -Coach Dunn is getting a good one here. He transferred over from Centennial and can score from all 3 levels with athleticism. Another unknown player caught my attention in his first game.   Best one game for a senior: [player_tooltip player_id="809712" first="Zayn" last="Kimbrough"] (AZ Compass Prep) -Scored 18 points in the Top-20 game with floaters, deep 3’s and pull-ups.   Best one game for a junior: [player_tooltip player_id="973910" first="Luke" last="Kearney"] (SDO) -Scored 27 points and 10 rebounds in the non-senior all-star game with 6 3’s, getting to the rim and playing above the basket on the break.   Best one game for a soph: [player_tooltip player_id="814508" first="Andrew" last="Camacho"] (Peoria) -No official stats (although I think he had 14 points), but was hitting shots from everywhere on the court, dropping dimes and I am still waiting to see someone better at taking charges better then Camacho!