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<p>On January 27th and 28th I attended the <strong>Duel in the Desert <em>Grind Session</em></strong> at Dream City Christian in Glendale, AZ.</p>
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<h2>I watched four of the top local Grind Session teams and here were the standout forwards:</h2>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='936765' first='Trey' last='Brown'] Phhoenix Prep</strong></p>
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<p>One of the most improved players in AZ. At his size he plays all four positions, handles the ball still like a guard and will rebound like a forward. He is still a very good passer and is terrific in transition. He can throw it down above the defense or he can euro his way to the basket to score or get fouled. He is a plus rebounder in his area as he is a quick second jumper plus can rip thru to score in traffic. He is starting to create his own offense off the dribble and will rise up from mid-range. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1673611' first='Alpha' last='Chibambe'] Phhoenix Prep </strong></p>
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<p>A strong power forward is an inside player. He has a mans body to bang with bigger players. He springs up to rebound or block shots and will score it in the paint. He will face up to the three but is most effective and efficient closer to the rim. He easily scores thru contact and seems to bounce off of the contact. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1223824' first='Alejandro' last='Aviles'] Dream City Christian</strong></p>
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<p>One of the top sophomores in AZ. He has a polished game with great mitts. He has a nice touch with his very soft hands. He likes mid-range jumpers, hook shots and is crafty near the hoop. He blocks shots and is one of the best soph post passers in the West. He scored 21 points versus the stacked Link Prep team. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1284844' first='David' last='Tubek'] Dream CIty Chrisitan</strong></p>
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<p>A really good showing for Tubek. Maybe his best I have seen in this uniform. He scored 24 points and was hitting tough shot after shot. He scored off-balanced shots in traffic, made some deep threes, he is an explosive dunker and scored thru heavy contact. He had some man rebounds versus Link Prep. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1638458' first='Arne' last='Osojnik'] Dream City Christian</strong></p>
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<p>One of the top shooters in the state with size for a wing. He kept them in the game versus Link during stretches with multiple triples off the catch. He gives hard ball fakes and can dribble past to score thru contact. He is rebounding the ball better in his area and showed some athleticism as he raced down the court to score. He scored 19 points vs Link. </p>
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<p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1634726' first='Makhan' last='Diouf']</strong> Bella Vista Prep</strong></p>
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<p>A long power forward is a fluid mover. It is amazing how well he moves in space with his size and length. He will cover a point guard then the next possession he will check a post player. He will get second chance rebounds and score on put backs with good hands. He handles the ball well for his size and will push the rock off of a board.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1367577' first='Luke' last='Bamgboye'] Bella Vista Prep</strong></p>
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<p>A long post player is as rebound chaser who is a quick twitched leaper. He can explode up to dunk the ball in traffic and score with reverse layups versus the most athletic defenders. He will score with either hand in the paint and his true sweet spot is from mid-range. He runs the floor well and brings energy. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1673610' first='Bryan' last='Ndonga'] Bella Vista Prep</strong></p>
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<p>A freaky long power forward moves well from end to end and can score in the lane. He will grab rebounds in and out of his area and board in heavy traffic. He can rip thru and dunk the ball with very few strides. He brings a plus motor and can get himself to the line. He altered, blocked and made many deflections during the game with his huge wingspan. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='861099' first='Marquis' last='Cook'] AZ Compass Prep</strong></p>
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<p>A dynamic point forward can shoot it from the three point line and from the mid-post. He will rebound in the trenches and can get downhill with speed. His passing, length and athleticism jumps out at you. The <strong>Oregon</strong> commit was recently named to the prestigious McDonald's All-American game. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1039603' first='Zayden' last='High'] AZ Compass Prep</strong></p>
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<p>A talented power forward scores it from all levels. He can shoot from mid-range and likes the corner three. He is a very good passer and grabs many offensive rebounds to score on put backs or tip-ins and is efficient around the hoop. His skill, size and IQ are obvious traits. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1055745' first='Marcus' last='Allen'] AZ Compass Prep</strong></p>
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<p>A top of the food chain defender on the interior and on the perimeter. He gobbles up rebounds, moves the ball well and is a high level glue guy. He collects steals, loose balls, blocks or alter shots and will defend multiple positions. He is a big time dunker and can rip thru and score it. </p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='867936' first='Rayvon' last='Griffith'] AZ Compass Prep</strong></p>
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<p>A bigger wing defender and a plus rebounder for position. He is a supreme athlete on the move and a way above the rim dunker in transition. He can post up and score it inside versus size or smaller guards. He does a little bit of everything with good height for position and has real vertical pop. </p>
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On January 27th and 28th I attended the Duel in the Desert Grind Session at Dream City Christian in Glendale, AZ.
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