Iron Sharpens Iron: 14 standouts viewed

Saturday Feb 27th I attended Justin Vargas’s Iron Shapens Iron AAU tournament. 

I saw some of the morning games and here were 14 players that shined: 

Isaiah Watts CG 6’3 2022 West Seattle/WA (PNW Prospects Black)

-One of the top guards viewed was in a groove. He can score it with pull-ups off the dribble from mid to the 3 plus step backs and has good pace to his game and is very shifty. He is a long and rangy defender and is wiry strong despite being a little skinny.

Craig Comanche Craig Comanche 6'1" | CG Cheyenne | 2021 State NV Centennial/NV (Las Vegas X-Factor) 

-A tough guard who scores it downhill through contact and can hit the 3 off the catch. He is very competitive on defense. He plays hard and has good open court speed with a nice handle.  

Chase Jackson Chase Jackson 6'8" | C Centennial | 2023 State NV Centennial/NV (Las Vegas X-Factor)

-A long young 5-man will block shots and rebounds well in area. He runs the floor well and although he didn’t get a lot of touches he moves well for his size and shows upside. 

William Benjamin Jr. William Benjamin Jr. 6'0" | CG Las Cruces | 2022 State NM Las Cruces/NM (ABCA 2022/23)

-An athletic scoring lead guard is slowly improving his shooting. He already had the mid-range pull-up off the dribble but his 3-ball is making strides. He uses his speed to burst passed defenders and gets into the lane to use the floater or will lay it in. He is quick on the ball defensively. 

Exodus Ayers Exodus Ayers 6'2" | CG La Cueva | 2023 New E La Cueva/NM (ABCA 2022/23) (Pictured) 

-A true PG has good size and is very shifty. He has good open court speed and sees the court. He can score it around the cup plus shoot the 3. He understands how to changes speeds and is tough on defense. He is easily one of the top sophs in NM, as he is currently ranked #3. 

Tainui Taiaroa Tainui Taiaroa 6'6" | SF ABC Prep | 2023 State NM Mayfield/NM (ABCA 2022/23)

-A bigger winged shooter with a pretty stroke. He plays a cerebral game and will make the extra pass to give up a good shot for a better shot. He uses his size to rebound and has good range. He can take it inside and score as well. 

Keither Florence Keither Florence 6'8" | PF Colorado Prep | 2021 State CO Colorado Prep

-One of the top athletes you will find on the West Coast. He was selected to the Grind Session dunk contest to show this showing was no fluke. He looks like he is on a spring board taking flight. He can make the occasional 3 and can rip through and score it through contact. He explodes up to rebound the ball and block shots. 

Boubacar Mboup Boubacar Mboup 6'10" | C Colorado Prep | 2022 State CO Colorado Prep

-A load to deal with deep in the paint. The lefty uses his girth and size to battle with anyone inside and scores it very efficiently and effectively. He has massive hands and grabs rebounds in bunches. He also is a sneaky good passer. 

Jacob Enriquez Jacob Enriquez 6'4" | SF Phhoenix Prep | 2021 State AZ Phhoenix Prep/AZ

-A skilled wing who can score it from inside and out. His 3-ball looked a little more polished and he is an active player. He can get out on the break and score it inside and is very crafty. A glue guy for the next level. 

Cesar Ruiz Cesar Ruiz 6'2" | SF Glenview College Prep | 2021 State AZ Phhoenix Prep/AZ

-A sharp shooter is a good catch 3pt shooter. He has good length and gets his shot off very quickly. He knows how to move without the ball and then relocates. He can rebound in his area and makes smart passes. 

Riley Fornerette Riley Fornerette 6'0" | PG Dysart | 2021 State AZ Phhoenix Prep/AZ

-A quick ball handler is very fast with the ball. He can hit the 3, pull-up from mid and use his jets to score it in the lane. He is flashy and talented with the ball in his hands and s a good passer. 

Sterling Knox Durango/NV (Purple Reign) 

-A long wing athlete is improving his skill. He can shoot the 3 with some consistency and is a good passer. He doesn’t take bad shots and is usually playing within the flow of the game. He can take a rebound off the glass and push the ball and make a play or score it. 

Sebastian Mack Sebastian Mack 6'4" | CG Coronado | 2023 State #58 Nation NV Durango/NV (Purple Reign) 

-Not many better shooters on the West Coast then Mack. His catch-3 has serious range and a fast release. He can pull-up off the dribble and is more athletic then he gets credited with. He also is a good passer and can play on or off the ball. 

Tommy Brascia Tommy Brascia 6'8" | PF Durango | 2023 State NV Durango/NV (Purple Reign) 

-A thicker forward plays with energy and a motor. He has a stronger build and can play above the rim on the break. He also brings his power to every game and physicality. He can rebound in traffic and will defend opposing post players.