Made Hoops/WCE: 2023-24 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>March 31st-April 2nd weekend I attended the AZ Warm Ups for the <strong>Made Hoops </strong>tournament at the Legacy Sports Complex in Mesa and the <strong>West Coast Elite</strong> tournament at the Phhacility in Phx. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Here were the senior and junior standouts</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1904959' first='Gualberto' last='Landavazo'] Skyline Prep (Firestorm 17)</strong> <strong>(Pictured) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A good sized power forward who is skilled to the three point line and works well inside the paint. The Mexican born forward can score on tip-ins and be physical in the paint among other post players. His IQ and feel for a forward are obvious. A nice late pick up. <strong> </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1328024' first='Jahki' last='Gupton'] Eduprize (AZ Select UAA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long and lean wing forward showed off his talents in the game I viewed. He can create his own offense off the dribble, hit the three and is deceptively quick off the bounce. He is a good passer and a long rebounder and made one impressive baseline move where he crossed him over and drove the lane and finished off a big time dunk. He is one of the best unsigned seniors still left. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1580111' first='Dimitri' last='Cleric'] Bella Vista Prep (AZ Firestorm)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A massive true old school center plays with his back to the basket plus can step out and hit the mid-range jumper. He gets on the glass for offensive rebounds and scores on put backs. He is originally from Switzerland and has long arms, broad shoulders and runs the floor. A nice late signee for NAIA or CC. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='996166' first='Braeden' last='Speed'] Brophy Prep&nbsp;(AZ Unity 17 EYBL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A versatile guard can make the catch three, score on hook shots and he fills the stat sheet with rebounds, steals, charges taken, loose balls and assists. He made a couple impressive passes up the court and is still one of the tougher on-ball defenders. His upper body allows him to absorb the contact in the paint getting into the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1284853' first='Travis' last='Torain'] Dream City Christian (AZ Unity 17 EYBL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long wing forward with a pretty touch. He can catch and shoot from beyond the three point line and he can even step back and shoot it. He is rebounding the ball better and can even push it a little up the court. He also caught a couple lob dunks and had some pep in his step.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1449295' first='Ibrahim' last='Souare'] Dream City Christian&nbsp; (AZ Unity 17 EYBL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An athletic power forward is an elite finisher. He is a true dunkers spot catch and dunk it high above the rim type of player. The lefty has a decent touch on his free throws and can even occasionally step out and hit the three. He actually grew an inch or two this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1135901' first='Aiden' last='Dunne'] Paradise Honors (AZ Select Obie)&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A highly skilled scoring point guard can catch and shoot from the three point line. He can get downhill and has a good feel for the game. He changes speeds well to get the defender off of him and can make some plays for his teammates. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1444282' first='Ryan' last='Calcaterra'] Thunderbird (Zona Nation 17)&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A scoring point guard has big confidence with his shooting. He can rattle off threes in a hurry. He has a clean stroke who will get hot quickly.&nbsp;He moves the ball like you should and cuts to the open space. He should lead them back to the playoffs next year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1757944' first='Marshall' last='Kerley'] Thunderbird (Zona Nation 17)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The unsigned senior has a strap. He has one of the prettier strokes in the class. He squares up quickly and launches it swiftly off of his hands. He is in motion without the ball freeing himself to get to an open spot on the court. He will rebound with his sturdy frame but he is a next level floor spacer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1194266' first='Austin' last='Wallace'] Valley Christian (AZ Select Obie)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tough wing forward is a glue guy on every team. He can defend on the perimeter or inside if needed. He can catch and shoot from the three point line and uses his long arms to play the passing lanes to collect steals or deflect many passes.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->