The Valley Jam: AZ Newcomers
In this article:
July 16-18 I attended the HoopSeen The Valley Jam at the beautiful nearly brand new Ottawa University in Surprise/AZ.
43 teams from the 15 to 17U played four showcase games over the weekend. College coaches were on hand to take in the action for the second of the three July live periods.
Here were some newcomers that stood out:
Jose Salas-Zorilla
Jose
Salas-Zorilla
6'0" | PG
Camp Verde | 2022
State
AZ
Camp Verde (Southwest Academy) (Pictured)
-Highly skilled and cerebral guard can shoot it from the 3pt line off the catch. He has nice court vision and he is crafty and smart. He changes speeds well and can get by his man. He should be a star at Camp Verde next season.
Nate Brown
Nate
Brown
6'2" | CG
Phhoenix Prep post grad | 2022
State
AZ
Phhoenix Prep (AZ Select Paynes)
-A guard from Michigan will be taking a grad transfer for next season. He is a strong framed scoring lead guard who is comfortable with the ball in his hands to make plays and score it. He has range beyond the arc and can bully his way into the lane by splitting defenders or using a sneaky burst. He will bounce off of defenders and had multiple "and-1's" along the weekend.
Jordan Talbert
Jordan
Talbert
6'4" | PF
Carl Hayden | 2022
State
AZ
Carl Hayden (AZ Select Tobie)
-A live body forward that is blocking shots, throwing down in the lane and likes the the mid-range pull-up. He can rip through and makes shots in traffic with a sturdy frame/thicker build.
Jaylen Lee
Jaylen
Lee
6'4" | SF
Phhoenix Prep | 2023
State
AZ
Valley Christian (AZ Select Wilson 16)
-A strong wing from Canada. He just transferred in and made an immediate impact. He handles it well, drives the lane with his sturdy frame and has a polished 1-dribble pull-up from mid to the 3pt line.
Khalil O’Bannon
Khalil
O’Bannon
6'1" | SG
Tucson | 2023
State
AZ
Sabino (Apex Athletix 2022 Red)
-A long defensive wing is active on the ball. He uses his wingspan to play the passing lanes and collect steals. He is a fluid athlete and can score it from inside and out. He is the cousin of the O’Bannon twins.
Keith Kabega Keith Kabega 5'11" | SG Phhoenix Prep | 2024 AZ Estrella Foothills (AZ Select Biale 15)
-An athletic all-around defender who is a pit bull on the ball. He has big time lateral quickness and the quickest hands. He has good open court speed and is very active on both sides of the court with loose balls, offensive/defense rebounds and collecting steals.
