Border League: AZ Newcomers

October 23-25 I attended the Border League at various gyms in Gilbert, AZ. The event had 80 top West Coast programs of prep schools and high schools plus some top out of area talent.   Here are some of the newcomers to the state that shined: 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="773471" first="Demari" last="Williams"] (Dream City Christian) -The ASU commit has a thick body and loves getting downhill. He is a good passer and is a capable catch-3 shooter. He is not consistent yet on his 3-ball but shows his versatility playing and defending the 1-3. A very versatile player for DCC. [player_tooltip player_id="918959" first="Jamiya" last="Neal"] (Hillcrest Prep) -A point forward type is an impressive passer. He can drive and kick it to a shooter and consistently make skip passes. He can hit the catch-3 and he is a highlight reel dunker on the break. He is tough getting downhill and can break you down with 1-2 dribbles then dunk in the lane. His 3pt shooting stroke is a lot better then I heard and he is tough on the ball defensively. He transferred in from Toledo Rogers/OH. [player_tooltip player_id="874188" first="Javon" last="Small"] (AZ Compass Prep) -The Indiana transfer is a thick PG who can score it and has speed and strength to get into lane. He has a real burst and uses the floater. He is very good on the ball defensively using his lateral quickness, strength and speed. He can hit the 3pt shot and is that rare pure PG. Like many facilitators, he gets the ball out of his hands so quickly and can power his way to the basket. [player_tooltip player_id="1074758" first="Clarence" last="Martin"] (Eduprize) -A transfer from Mater Dei Catholic in San Diego/CA. He is a real 3 and D type. He has great body/stronger frame and plays really hard with a high motor. He can drive it and can kick it out to a shooter. He is best off the catch from the 3 but he can create a little for himself and step back on his defender. He has a very quick release with volleyball line range. He is versatile to defend the bigs in the post with his toughness and strength plus out on the perimeter. [player_tooltip player_id="1074790" first="Stephen" last="Coleman"] (Hillcrest Prep) -Another transfer by the way of Toledo Rogers/OH. He committed to Siena and he can really shoot it from mid to the 3pt line. He makes up the court passes on a dime to teammates in traffic. He has a tight handle and can make the pocket pass. His mid-range game is his best skill currently. [player_tooltip player_id="855929" first="Dane" last="Erikstrup"] (AZ Compass Prep) -A transfer from Oregon is an improving player as he gets more comfortable with his new team. He battles hard in the post and moves his feet better than when I first viewed him. He has good hands and keeps the ball high when he rebounds and outlets well. Most importantly is he battles hard in te post to defend. He can face-up and hit shots to the 3pt line and in.   2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1074744" first="Shaedon" last="Sharpe"] (Dream City Christian) (Pictured) -A rare NBA athlete type of guard has elite ability on the break. Some of the better dunks we have seen in the state in years. He has deep 3pt range to go along with his impressive body and length. He hangs in the air with nice body control and is a versatile defender using his lateral quicks and athleticism. He can score it with either hand in traffic using his length. https://twitter.com/Ballislife/status/1312893199904432129 [player_tooltip player_id="1074745" first="Birima" last="Seck"] (Dream City Christian) -An intriguing long term forward has nice skill and is very fluid in space. He can face-up plus handle the ball decently for his size. He can euro his way to the basket and is very active inside to rebound or block shots. He just arrived here and they were slowly working him into the rotation. [player_tooltip player_id="1074948" first="Chris" last="Bunch"] (Hillcrest Prep) -A transfer from De La Salle/CA is a very good athlete. He takes long strides to get into the lane and his catch-3 is at a high level. He uses his athleticism and length to defend and makes unselfish extra passes. He is a terror on the break and was a good teammate all weekend long.   2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1074371" first="Jovan" last="Milicevic"] (Dream City Christian) -A highly skilled forward just moved in from Canada. He has a Serbian background and plays that Euro type of game with his high IQ and skill. He is a good passer and has a sweet shooting stroke to the 3pt line. He rebounds well in his area and handles the ball well.