Standout Guards at the MLK Day Classic

Gerry Freitas

January 21, 2021 @ 01:38 PM

Standout Guards at the Arizona MLK Classic The Arizona MLK Classic was held January 16-18 at the Arizona Grand Resort. Here is a look at some top performing guard at the event. 6’7 CG Jonah Alverez of Capital Christian HS (CA) 2021 (Cap City Cougars) Alverez showed out with a splendid all-around performance. He consistently made plays that lead to buckets for himself and his teammates.   He has an impressive pull-up game, both on the break and in the half court. He is deceptively athletic and gets to the hoop on the drive consistently. He shoots it confidently with very long range.   The best thing about Alverez is that he has a motor that is always running. He proved he belongs on the 2021 radar.     5’11 PG Cooper Campbell of Puyallup HS (WA) 2024 (Team Lavine 17 Black) Campbell is a steady and consistent one-man who shows a lot of promise for the future.   He’s a very confident ball handler and a nice passer who can run a team and who can also score. He is comfortable and capable making plays for himself and for others.   Cooper is a confident shooter with 3 range, and he finds ways to get to the basket on the drive.   He will play Division 1 basketball-the only question is at what level. 6’3 SG [player_tooltip player_id="1069704" first="Dylan" last="Chavez"] at PHH Prep (AZ) 2024 (New Mexico D1 UAA) Chavez comes from the Land of Enchantment which is below the radar by nature. Welcome the kid to the top of the 2024 radar. He belongs….   He is an energetic two guard who is in constant motion. He is a nice-looking shooter with long range and he has an effective hesitation drive. He also has an impressive mid-range game.   Chavez does need to develop physical strength but he is a very legitimate prospect in the 2024 class. 6’1 PG [player_tooltip player_id="797132" first="Anthony" last="Hunter"] of Middlebrooks Academy (CA) (2021) Hunter had a solid outing at this event and validated the multiple Division 1 offers he possesses.   He is a very athletic one-man who is VERY hard to contain. He can really turn on the jets…   Hunter’s burst allows him to break down defenders one on one on a consistent basis. He sees the court well and is able to drop dimes regularly and he shoots it fairly well with range.   The only question at this point is where Hunter will end up on the Division 1 level….       6’5 [player_tooltip player_id="958295" first="Sione" last="Lose"] of Capital Christian HS (CA) 2021 (Cap City Cougars) Lose is the top player on a deep and talented squad. He brings an impressive all-around game to the table.   He’s a confident ball handler who is real effective finishing in transition. And he pretty much does it all in the half court.   Lose shoots it well with 3 range, he can drive it and he has a very nice half court pull-up game in addition to a capable floater. He also has the ability to defend and rebound.   He needs some physical strength and a killer instinct. If those things come the sky is the limit for him at the Division 1 level.   6’3 [player_tooltip player_id="766840" first="Aidan" last="Mahaney"] of Campolindo HS (CA) 2022 (Team GRR) Mahaney is a high major prospect and he showed why to a significant extent at this event.   He has tremendous offensive shills and is a very effective all-around scorer. He can shoot it and he has a nice floater. And he always seems to find a way to the hoop on the drive with his deceptive athleticism.   Mahaney is most effective playing the point but he also gets a lot done at the two-guard spot.   He has a bright future at the high major level.     6’2 PG Dedan Thomas Jr. of Liberty HS (NV) 2024 (West Coast Select 17) Thomas is a young Brandon Jennings and will play this game for many years to come. He is the son of a former UNIV standout Dedan Thomas Sr. and he will far exceed anything his dad ever dreamed of….   He pushes the break on every possession and makes a ton of plays in transition. He sees the floor well and drops dimes consistently.   Thomas shoots it well with 3 range and he has a very nice floater. He penetrates in the lane consistently and makes plays.   This kid plays with a lot of confidence and has a real high IQ for a youngster just beginning high school. You will be watching him on TV for a long time.