Bash in the Desert: 17U 1st Team

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On May 5th-7th the&nbsp;<em>Prep Hoops Circuit</em>&nbsp;was in town. We have the&nbsp;<strong>Bash in the Desert&nbsp;</strong>with teams around the West and even some from the Midwest. Two locations with the Phhacility in Phx/AZ and Inspire Courts in Gilbert/AZ.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I watched as many as the 31 17U teams as I could and ended up seeing 26 of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>These teams are a combination of teams performance and players performance.&nbsp;</strong>They are NOT prospect lists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">17U 1st Team</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nikoloz Abulade&nbsp;PG 6'2 2025</strong> <strong>Crean Lutheran&nbsp;(Gamepoint Inland Empire 2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A scoring point guard with a clip. The ball is on a string for him and he can create his own offense. A true facilitator with great timing with his up the court passes throwing players open in stride. He has an ultra quick shooting release and will change speeds then snipes you off the dribble. He passes with either hand and is in full command of the team. Best passer at the event and his runner game is nasty.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='986971' first='Prince' last='Davis']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/prince-davis/"></a>&nbsp;Desert Pines&nbsp;(Las Vegas Olympians 2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tough and quick lead guard can score. His runners and floaters are tough and handles heavy ball pressure well. He has the catch three with real range and a quick release. He can also pull-up from mid-range. He has a tight handle in close spaces and he is highly competitive.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1123041' first='Bradey' last='Henige']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/bradey-henige/"></a>&nbsp;Cactus&nbsp;(D1 Nation 2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A post player who handles the ball unusually well and can create his own offense. Once he gains position and seals his man in the paint it is an automatic two points or you will have to foul him. He scores on crow hops, tip ins, jump shots and put back dunks. He is one of the best passers in the circuit for position and will chase down blocks. A tough cover who will have a great senior year at Cactus.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1036000' first='Khalon' last='Johnson'] <strong>Eduprize (New Mexico D1 2024-1</strong>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A bigger combo guard who is tough getting downhill. He is extremely athletic and strong. He can fall away from his defender, hit the three, make plays and is best getting downhill. He rises up and made multiple tough shots thru contact down the stretch. He is highly competitive and was one of the best players at the event. He was the official Most Outstanding Player. (MOP)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1364317' first='Josef' last='Major']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/josef-major/"></a>&nbsp;Cheyenne&nbsp;(Las Vegas Olympians 2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A very good athlete is a two-way power forward. He springs up quickly to rebound or score on put backs. He is a true rebound chaser and has a motor to compete. He will post up with his back to the basket and is a good passer off of a double team. Has some skill to shoot from the perimeter and is tough inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1479805' first='Dilen' last='Miller']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dilen-miller/"></a>&nbsp;Tucson&nbsp;(Team RHJ)&nbsp;(Pictured)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A very talented point guard is a three level scorer. He has a sturdy frame to handle contact to get downhill. He has a very tight handle and can pull-up from mid to the three plus fall away from mid-range. He has flawless ball rotation on his shot with deep range and he had some eye popping stretches in the games. One of the better players at the event. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1032529' first='Nate' last='Parras']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nate-parras/"></a>&nbsp;Eduprize&nbsp;(New Mexico D1 2024-1)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A power forward with some serious bounce. He is crafty around the rim and can throw it down. He is a smart passer and waits for the play to happen. He had a true poster dunk that sent the place into a frenzy. He makes his move quickly and can rip thru. He has a nice stroke from the line and can extend to the three with a high arc. His post game is coming along with long hook shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1565732' first='Nico' last='Rafalovich']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nico-rafalovich/"></a>&nbsp;Jesuit&nbsp;(Pro Tech 2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A bigger wing forward is highly skilled, fluid and athletic. He can hit the catch three plus pull-up from mid-range off the dribble with a pure stroke. He is a good passer who handles it well to create some separation. He can drive and kick and has a real burst off the dribble. He shows good body control and is still growing. This kid is a real sleeper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->