BIBSI: 1st Team
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June 8th-10th I attended the 16th annual Best in Basketball Summer Invitational at Mesquite HS in Gilbert, AZ. There were 24 teams playing in five showcase type of games over the three days. Here is the All-Tournament First Team: Gabriel Briones Gabriel…
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Continue ReadingJune 8th-10th I attended the 16th annual Best in Basketball Summer Invitational at Mesquite HS in Gilbert, AZ. There were 24 teams playing in five showcase type of games over the three days.
Here is the All-Tournament First Team:
Gabriel Briones Gabriel Briones 6'2" | SG Cesar Chavez | 2025 State AZ Cesar Chavez
A stronger framed guard with pretty good size was one of the top newcomers at the tournament. He has a tough mentality and is not afraid to take it into the paint and will score thru contact. He can catch and shoot from the three point line, he cuts well to the hoop and uses pick and rolls to his advantage, as he is a good passer. He has real instincts on defense to collect steals and a nice all-around game. I quickly added him to the 2025 rankings (which go out today).
Lex Clontz Lex Clontz 6'3" | CG Cesar Chavez | 2025 State AZ Cesar Chavez
One of the better standstill shooters has a high feel for the game. He has deep range and is in full control of the team. He makes smart reads to his teammates and also happens to lead the team in charges, as his IQ is off the charts. He handles contact well and he is showing more athleticism as he threw down a dunk on the break. When the defense focuses on him, he definitely makes them pay.
Bradey Henige Bradey Henige 7'0" | C Cactus | 2024 State #192 Nation AZ Cactus
The biggest player at the event and one of the biggest in state was dominant at times over the three days. He is very hard to handle one on one, so the defense caves on him and he simply finds the open man. He is a great outlet passer and will score on dunks, offensive rebound put back dunks and scores around the hoop with layups and hard takes to the basket versus all the post players.
Isaiah Hill Isaiah Hill 5'11" | PG Premier Prep Tucson | 2024 State AZ Pueblo (Pictured)
One of the tighter handles in the state is also arguably the best passer in the class. He splits defenders with ease and then will throw a rope to a teammate. He changes speeds and directions well. He scores it a variety of ways with mid-range pull-ups, catch and shoot threes and step backs. He plays with a great motor to compete on defense and is an incredible rebounder for his size. He has good body control in the lane for layups and his euro stuff is big time.
Mason Hunt Mason Hunt 6'5" | SG Bradshaw Mountain | 2024 State AZ Bradshaw Mountain
A thicker framed wing scores it a variety of ways. He can hit the three, dunk it in the lane, post up, drive by his defender and handle a lot of the lead guard role..He gets squared to the basket very fast and will knock down the three. He actually got hot and hit four straight and did so many things well to affect his team. He rebounds in and out of his area and will defend a post player then switch to a guard on the next possession. He is one of those players that is hard to take off the court.
Peyton Lubash Peyton Lubash 5'9" | PG San Tan Charter | 2027 State AZ San Tan Charter
An undersized guard is a dynamic player to watch. He hes a great feel for the game and is a next level passer. He changes speeds and makes good reads. He slithers in some nifty passes after he breaks his man down. He is quick on quick with the ball and is very hard to stay in front of despite his size. He makes his money with his deep three. He shoots it off the catch or off the dribble. His range is already one of the deepest in the AIA and he gets it out of his hands quickly.
Dylan Novak Dylan Novak 6'0" | PG Phhoenix Prep | 2025 State AZ ALA Gilbert-North
One of the top guards at the event is an elite passer off a live dribble. He will consistently drive and kick it to his teammates in stride with pinpoint passes. He works well off the pick and roll game and is a star on the break. He is way more athletic than people realize and has a quick second jump and will post up smaller players. He scores it with a driving layup and will pull-up off the dribble from mid to the three. He made a game winner off the dribble to beat the super talented SDO 6A team.
Devone Pless Devone Pless 6'5" | SF Mesquite | 2024 State AZ Mesquite
A long point forward has a unique approach to the game. He can hit the three off the catch or on the move and defend multiple positions. He will rebound and block shots but it’s his passing that stands out. He is a very good passer off of a live dribble into a teammates shooting pocket. He made some of the best passes at the tournament. He made about three triples per game but had nearly five assists every game.
Michael Simcoe Michael Simcoe 6'8" | PF Sandra Day O'Connor | 2025 State #217 Nation AZ Sandra Day O’Connor
The MVP of the event is a hard match-up. He has a pure stroke from deep with real range and then can get easy points in the paint. He can jump stop into a layup, rip thru into a dunk, post up and fall-away and his passing is also very good for size. He rebounds and blocks shots but will get on the floor for loose balls. He has a next level motor to compete on both ends and will often rebound and push the break.
Ezias Steffen Ezias Steffen 6'4" | SF AZ Compass Prep | 2024 State AZ Chandler
A versatile wing leads a fairly young team. He is a good passer and interior defender. He rebounds well as a grab and go type of player as he will grab the rebound off the glass and push it and he can break down the defense. He will dribble drive to the rim and shoot perimeter jumpers. He smartly moves without the ball to free himself to score.