Bash in the Desert: Top AZ Newcomers

Gregg Rosenberg May 3, 2021 @ 12:48 PM

This weekend I attended the Bash in the Desert at Inspire Courts in Gilbert, AZ. The event had 15-17U competing for the three days with 67 total teams.   Here were some of the top newcomers I discovered from the state this weekend: [player_tooltip player_id="1183310" first="Corey" last="Wood"] (Team RHJ 2023) -A long shooter with legit height and range. He can pull-up from mid-range and handles it decently to create. A little on the thinner side but uses his length in the passing lanes to collect steals and rebounds well in his area. He has that same long build like former small school standout Sam Jones of Gilbert Christian who played college ball at Penn Univ. [player_tooltip player_id="1183400" first="Ka’Shar" last="Benton"] (Team RHJ 2023) -A massive post player at still only 15 years old. He is still a little raw but has good girth, big hands and uses a nice hook shot inside to score it. He rebounds well in his area and will block shots. The more he plays and works at his game, his upside will start shining through. [player_tooltip player_id="1183402" first="Kylen" last="Mamon"] (AZ Phenoms 2023) -A tough downhill scorer can put the ball in the hoop among the trees. He is strong and doesn’t mind the contact. He is a pest on the ball defensively and can make open 3’s. [player_tooltip player_id="1183311" first="Vari" last="Hogan"] (AZ Phenoms 2023) -One of the better shooters in 16U. He has the 3pt shot plus the mid and can use the floater. He can drive and kick it to a shooter but is mostly looking to get his shot off. He comes with deep range and confidence. [player_tooltip player_id="1183369" first="Dejuan" last="Allen"] (AZ Phenoms 2023) (Pictured) -A big man who runs the floor well and will bang inside for rebounds and grab them with two-hands in traffic. A tad raw offensively but he has a nice hook shot and will block shots out of his area. Very young for his grade and has upside. [player_tooltip player_id="1183387" first="Anthony" last="Flores"] (PAL Elite 2022) -A tough 3-sport guard with a physical approach. He plays football plus track and field and you can see it shine through with his strong play. His deep ball is a little streaky but has a nice pull-up from mid-range. He is a natural driver with his sturdy frame and deceptive quickness. [player_tooltip player_id="1183404" first="Quincy" last="Geary"] (AZ Select Contreras 2022) -The son of former AZ standout Reggie Geary has some talent from Tucson. He is an active defender and a catch perimeter shooter. He makes the smart extra pass and he should breakout next year. He may end up leading the Falcons since no underclassmen were allowed to play on varsity this season at their school. [player_tooltip player_id="1183406" first="EJ" last="Mills"] (PAL Elite 2023) -An athletic one-man played up and played well. He is quick and shows a burst to get into the lane passed his defenders. Outside of his speed with the ball, it was his passing that impressed me. He drives and kicks it to open shooters and shows nice upside. He will join a deep group of guards next year for the Panthers.