2023 PlayAZ Only: Team East

Gregg Rosenberg June 3, 2021 @ 12:56 PM

Last week I attended The Show Justin Vargas 2023 PlayAz Only showcase. 33 players were invited to the event with everyone playing 3 games each with 4 teams (East, West, North and South). 7 were brand new for myself with four of them from AZ and the three others may land at a local prep. Team East [player_tooltip player_id="994130" first="Isaiah" last="Kai"] Campo Verde -One of the top guards in attendance earned the co-Breakout Player of the event. He is a facilitator but can score when needed be. He picks his spots during the game. He has good open court speed to go along with a tight handle. He rises up high on jumpers off the dribble from mid to the 3. He has a nice floater in the lane and is a gamer to compete on defense. His ability to change speeds makes him a tough cover. [player_tooltip player_id="937187" first="Carter" last="Gittens"] Sunrise Mountain -A long and athletic wing seems to improve each showing. He has a stronger frame to rebound and defend to go along with his athleticism. He plays above the rim on the break and his skill is showing strides. He can pull-up off the dribble from mid-range and make the catch-3. [player_tooltip player_id="831120" first="Seydou" last="Tamboura"] St. Mary’s -Awarded the Defensive MVP at the event for his motor, hustle and ability to send shots away and rebound. He has a powerful frame and good length while using some springs and timing to make it very difficult to score on him. Offensively, he is primarily a rim runner but has shown the ability to step out and hit the occasional jumper plus used a drop step move to score on the block. [player_tooltip player_id="1127089" first="Michael" last="DeHorney"] Corona del Sol -A long forward is just scratching the surface. He can block shots and rebound using his length and athleticism. He showed off some new skill at this event including hitting a 3, ripping through with a decent handle and then getting up quickly to flush it down with authority. [player_tooltip player_id="814517" first="Cohen" last="J Gonzales"] Mesquite -He may of been the smallest competitor, but he more then held his own. One of the most skilled guards in the state showed he belongs. He earned the 'Tru to the Grind" award. He is wildly athletic and uses it getting to the cup and elevating off the bounce. His catch-3 and pull-up are pure. One of those shots that look good on every attempt. He also has good speed to get passed his defenders then will finish around traffic. [player_tooltip player_id="1066516" first="Jordan" last="Voorhees"] Pusch Ridge -A two-way pure PG likes facilitating for his teammates. He is very quick laterally to defend opposing guards sliding his feet and is wiry strong to keep his man in front of him. He makes good reads for assists and can score it. He can hit the 3 off the dribble and has a burst into the lane. He won the game in OT with a quick drive into the lane with his left hand for the W. [player_tooltip player_id="1165972" first="Noah" last="Peterson"] Highland -A strong framed wing forward has a versatile game. He can handle it like a wing and bang inside like a forward. He can hit the 3 off the catch plus get to the basket and score it through contact with his strong body. He s a smart player who is a good teammate and is tough. [player_tooltip player_id="993647" first="AJ" last="Turner"] San Tan Charter -A natural scorer from all levels. He has good quickness with the ball in his hands. He can use the floater, pull-up from mid-range and hit the catch-3. He is fast in the open court and although he may be somewhat of a volume shooter, he does make tough shots. [player_tooltip player_id="1202067" first="Anesu" last="Dehwe"] Madison Prep -One of the brand new prospects is a strong bodied guard who loves getting to the cup. He can make the pull-up off the bounce but prefers to get to the rim and finish with a bump and score. He has good length to defend and plays with high energy.