Section 7: Friday’s Best Players (Pt. 1)
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GLENDALE — Hundreds of teams from across the country descended on State Farm Stadium in Arizona for another installment of the highly-anticipated Section 7 high school basketball event. Friday was the opening day of bracket play and we were in…
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Continue ReadingGLENDALE — Hundreds of teams from across the country descended on State Farm Stadium in Arizona for another installment of the highly-anticipated Section 7 high school basketball event. Friday was the opening day of bracket play and we were in the gym from 10:45 am to 9:00 pm watching as many players and games as we possibly could. We weren’t able to get our eyes on every team but here are the best players we saw on Friday.
Andrew Crawford, ThunderRidge (CO)
The 6-foot-6 lefty had some of the best feel for the game that we saw. The crafty rising is a smooth ball handler who can lull defenders to sleep to either get off a pull-up three-point shot or get into the lane where he can create for himself or teammates. Crawford has a long, wiry frame but finishes well around the rim due to his creativity, body control and touch off the glass.
Andrew Hilman Andrew Hilman 6'4" | SG Archbishop Riordan | 2026 State CA-N , Archbishop Riordan
Hillman might be the biggest breakout player of the event thus far. The 6-foot-4 guard/wing is a dynamic transition slasher and finisher who plays with a high motor on both ends of the floor. What Hilman does the best, however, is defend, which is pretty special for a 2026 prospect. Hilman uses his length and athleticism to pressure ball handlers and as a help defender in passing lanes and when doubling to create a turnover.
Brandon McCoy, St. John Bosco
McCoy is one of the most talented scorers in the 2026 class and that’s what he did is Bosco’s win over Owyhee. The 6-foot-4 guard/wing has great feel for the game when creating shots off the dribble. He can knock down stop and pop jumpers from mid-range and three-point levels of the floor. What McCoy is really good at is his getting into the lane, elevating to the rim and finishing above contact.
Brayden Burries Brayden Burries 6'4" | SF Roosevelt | 2025 State #13 Nation CA-S , Roosevelt
Burries’ name has been on fire over the last few weeks as he’s picked up a handful of high major offers. Our No. 1-ranked prospect SoCal’s 2025 class has a next-level combination of size, strength, explosive athleticism and overall feel for the game. A lot of guys are labeled “three level scorers” when they really aren’t but Burries fits that bill. He can knock down catch and shoot three’s, get to his pull-up jumper and is both a crafty and physical finisher around the rim.
Brody Kozlowski Brody Kozlowski 6'8" | SF Corner Canyon | 2024 State #103 Nation UT , Corner Canyon (UT)
Kozlowski is a big and physical four/five man who is a skilled inside-out scorer. The 6-foot-7 forward can step out to the three-point line and knock down catch and shoot shots off of drive and kicks but he also has the back to the basket feel and touch to get a basket on the block. Kozlowski can score with power or finesse in the lane.