Summer Tip-Off: 2024

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saturday July 1st I attended the&nbsp;<em>West Coast Elite/Hoopers On1y</em>&nbsp;<strong>Summer Tip-Off</strong>&nbsp;at the Phhacility in Phx, AZ.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I mainly focused my attention on 17U Gold Division and 15U Boys.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Here were some of the&nbsp;<strong>2024's</strong>&nbsp;that stood out:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1193877' first='Ryan' last='Jackson'] AZ Compass Prep (Team RHJ) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quickly improving face-up forward with athleticism, a big IQ, good passing skills and his frame is getting stronger. He scores on hook shots, catch triples and is very tough inside but has the skill to shoot jumpers and handle the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1401311' first='Devan' last='Carter'] AZ Compass Prep</strong> <strong>(Team RHJ) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A bouncy power forward who runs like a wing. He throws it down way above the rim and will wall up and alter shots in the paint. He quickly leaps up to rebound and is slowly facing up to the elbow and in. He has the size and athleticism and is slowly improving his skill. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1123040' first='Anthony' last='Batson Jr'] (AZ Select 17 UAA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most athletic players in the state. He recently showed off and won the slam dunk contest showing his insane leaping ability and creativity in the air. He scores on open threes, he keeps the ball high after a rebound, give and go cuts and moves without the ball for possible offensive rebound put backs. He is always a threat for a lob dunk and he is an obvious star in transition.   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1449296' first='Majak' last='Thokbor'] Dream City Christian (AZ Select 17 UAA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the taller post players in the state. He rebounds and blocks shots in and out of his area. Just the presence of him being in the painted area makes opposing teams think about going near him. He uses his long reach and quick bounce to clean the glass or block the shot. He primarily scores on dunks and put backs. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='996166' first='Braeden' last='Speed'] (AZ Select 17 UAA) (Pictured)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A do-it all guard plays on or off the ball. His toughness, competitiveness,&nbsp;game IQ and feel for the game are really high. A true glue guy who does anything you need to win a game. He defends nearly every position, collects steals, rebounds and will score from the perimeter plus in the paint with next level body control.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1420297' first='Tristan' last='Drake'] ABC Prep (Rebels Elite NM)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A New Mexico big man is a thicker framed face-up five-man with strength and skill. He can shoot it to the three point line off the catch and rebounds well in his area. He uses his girth and good hands to corral the board. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1444542' first='Deonte' last='Bynum'] (Rebels Elite NM)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quick undersized point guard can score and handle ball pressure. He will score from the catch three and the ball is on a string for him. He makes a hard pull-up off the dribble from mid-range. He is very fast in the open court with good speed with the ball. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->