King of the City: 2025 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I attended the annual&nbsp;<em>Hoopers Only</em>&nbsp;<strong>King of the City&nbsp;</strong>AAU Tournament at the Phhacility in Phx. I watched two days of action on Friday and Saturday, March 29-30. I watched around 30 teams play one or two times in the 2 days of action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Here are some of the 2025 Standouts I viewed</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2322528' first='Javin' last='Blacks'] Saguaro (AZ Wild Cards 17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long and leaner scoring guard filled it up from deep with range. He has a super quick shooting release and his shooting stroke looks the same on each attempt. He can also get a step on his defender and use the floater game and he can even dunk it on the break.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1680984' first='Kaleb' last='Conley'] Boulder Creek (UH Elite 17)&nbsp;(Pictured)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A wing forward with skill, plus size and length. He is a better rebounder then a year ago and an all-around player. He moves his feet well on defense and will make a play. He can shoot it from the perimeter, drive and can throw it down on the break.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1369218' first='Gavin' last='Dabney'] Higley (AZ Wild Cards 17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong framed wing forward who plays within himself. He can score it from all three levels with dunks on the break, mid-range jumpers, catch threes and he is a quick second and third jumper. You rarely see him make much emotion with a very professional attitude.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1770292' first='Malaki' last='Garnica'] Brophy Prep (BVP White 17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A defensive minded guard who can score with some athleticism. He can block shots, collect steals and then dunk it on the break. He is very elusive to the basket with his bounce and can hit the three.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1366578' first='Davion' last='Harris'] Hamilton (AZ Gremlins 17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A combo guard with some size who plays on or off the ball. He will score with runners, fall aways, mid-range J's, threes with range and step back jumpers. He is a very underrated passer and team player.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2039505' first='Braylon' last='Haman'] Phhoenix Prep (Shifty Elite 17)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A true three level scorer will score with getting to the basket with a real burst and tough first step. He will score with deep threes, mid-range jumpers, reverse layups, euro steps and gets to the free throw line in bunches more then most guards in the class.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2223472' first='Arteus' last='Jefferson'] St. Mary's (Jump Athletic 17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long lefty forward seems to be blossoming late. He can score with euros and finish with his right hand and he got hot and hit five threes in a row. He is a very underrated passer and will drive and kick it. He likes getting to the basket using his advanced handle for position.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1393777' first='Jyson' last='Kim'] Phhoenix Prep (BVP White 17)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A bigger guard who can score with threes and dribble drives. He was calling plays out and he is very competitive on defense. He sees the court well with an unselfish nature but he is an easy scorer. He recently picked up multiple small school offers.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1588005' first='Trey' last='Mckinney'] Perry (AZ Wild Cards 17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A skilled power forward is another that people are realizing how good he is. He backed up three D1 players for the state champs and can score and defend. He will score with left or right hand hook shots, catch threes and offensive rebound put backs. He will block shots and rebound.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1366582' first='Cullen' last='Schreiner'] Basha (AZ Gremlins 17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top shooting forwards in the class and from the tournament. He hit three plus triples in every game and comes with a quicker release. He is a sneaky good passer and holds his ground in the post. He also rebounds well in his area.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2368045' first='Don' last='Tinsley'] Bella Vista Prep (AZ Wild Cards 17)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A two-way scoring guard is the quickest state riser. He scores with powerful dunks on the break, pull-up threes, high level mid-range pull-ups and downhill buckets in heavy traffic. He is a top-tier on-ball defender, he is a good passer and plays the passing lanes well.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1193887' first='Rhys' last='Walcott'] Eastmark (UH Elite 17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A walking bucket may be undersized but he can fill up the scoreboard in a hurry. He scores with catch threes, high level mid-range pull-ups over his defenders outstretched arms with great pace and poise. He is very hard to take the ball away from and sees the court well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1351132' first='Shay' last='Yarde'] Paradise Valley (AZ Wild Cards 17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A defensive point guard with unreal speed on the break. He will get past most defenders with his burst and tight handle. He is a very disruptive on-ball defender with his twitchy lateral quickness. He scores with threes and downhill takes with dominant left hand. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->