2023 PlayAZ Only: Team West

Gregg Rosenberg June 2, 2021 @ 01:30 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 West [player_tooltip player_id="994006" first="Styles" last="Phipps"] St. Mary’s -One of the top guards in attendance showed his skills off. He only played in one game, as he took himself out at the end of a game with a small sprained ankle. His IQ, feel for the game, pace he plays with and a tight handle make his game go. He scores it from all three levels and he even threw one down on the break (his first in-game dunk). He has a nice pull-up from mid to the 3. [player_tooltip player_id="1090305" first="Armari" last="Carraway"] Pueblo -A quick undersized guard had some incredible stretches during the event. He is dynamic in the open court and gets hot very quickly. He can rattle them off from deep one by one when he is in rhythm. He has range and can pull-up off the dribble. He has a nice burst to get passed his defender and lay it in. [player_tooltip player_id="1029809" first="Tarik" last="Spencer"] Valley Vista -A fast guard has speed on speed. He is very tough on the ball defensively using his quick feet and hands, lateral quickness, length and speed. He drives and kicks after he bursts by his opponents. He isn’t the top shooter but has a mid-range pull-up and made one three in the 3 games. If he can keep advancing his shooting, he will be a tough two-way player. [player_tooltip player_id="936910" first="Jordan" last="Kuac"] Ironwood -A fast and athletic forward had some shocking eye-dropping dunks. He outraces most forwards and even the guards. He shows a good motor and will rebound on both ends of the court. He scores on put-backs and is starting to make catch-3’s. He is a little undersized but his athleticism, defense and improving shooting will make him a nice glue player the next two years. [player_tooltip player_id="1138592" first="Aiden" last="Price"] Mountain Pointe (Pictured) -Earned the Co-Breakout Player of the event with his strong play. The word consistent applied to Price in the three games. He shot the ball at a high clip from deep plus had the pull-up from mid-range clicking. He has a good frame and toughness to defend on the ball and his voice is coming in. He is getting more confident as he ages. He has the floater game and he can improve his passing/decision making at times but the Pride may have found another weapon for a 6A title run. [player_tooltip player_id="1202070" first="David" last="Jackson Jr"] Mountain Pointe -A transfer from North Canyon will be a big addition to the core of the team next season. He is a nice scorer from deep and comes with a strong body to score it versus the bigs. He likes to pull-up off the dribble and he seems to be somewhat streaky but when he is on, he is a tough handle. He is a decent ball handler and passer. He should be a nice spark off the bench. Ashton Brown PF 6’5 undecided -Another one of the newcomers was a load to handle inside. He had a grown man’s body and has some springs to utilize. He gets to the cup quickly and lives in the paint. He scores it through contact and has a knack getting to the FT line. He is a capable perimeter shooter and has a decent handle he often used to get passed his defenders.