Section 7 Qualifier Wing/Forward Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Section 7 Qualifier was held at the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, Arizona 6/17-6/18/2025. This event featured numerous schools throughout Arizona competing for a spot in the main event that same weekend. I spent two days watching many games and in the games I observed here are my top "big men".</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1834712"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686f3c583b055"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Santiago showed why he is one of the top forwards in the 2026 class here in Arizona while leading Dysart to a 4-0 record. He is a versatile big man with very good footwork. Sets good strong screens and quick to roll but can pop out and knock down the three. Terrific paint defender, rebounder and had the mismatch advantage just about every time. Great floater and a skilled turn around jumper with terrific use of the glass with difficult shots. Already getting in state attention which I expect is just the start for this young man. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2133645"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686f3c583b0b2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith is a highly overlooked prospect despite being a two time state champion. He uses his big frame to dominate the post. High level footwork and can score with either hand. Confident shooting the open three as he knocked down a couple. Gifted rebounder who accounts for many second chance points. Very fundamentally sound. Impact player on both ends of the court. Great leadership on the court as well as when he came out of the game. Coming into his junior year I expect coaches to start taking notice of Razin. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1875584"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686f3c583b0fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nunez has quickly adapted to his new team at Mountain View Marana. Very physical and vocal on both ends of the court. Showed to be a threat from the perimeter. Skilled in the pick and roll and has the ability to dribble past defenders and score with a nice floater. Defensively Nunez does not back down. Showed to be difficult to post up against and is a good shot blocker. Nunez has shown growth since his last showing and could be a really good pick up in the 2026 class</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2396146"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686f46ed0fe57"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Graves showed me two things. He's ready for a breakout season for the Titans and that he is just scratching the surface of his potential. Dominant on the boards and can finish well through contact. Finishes many second chance opportunities. Has a nice mid range game. Strong rim defender that didn't give up much in the paint and a skilled shot blocker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2422763"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686f46ed0feb5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hicks came into Section 7 has one of the more "unknown" prospects from Southern AZ. With every game he played he gained more attention from coaches and scouts in attendance. A strong defender with a really good feel for the game. When Salpointe needed a momentum shift Hicks consistently showed up. In the second half vs Williams Field Cam got things going with a nice dunk scoring 2 of his 12 points in that half on 6/6 shooting. In the championship game vs Verrado Hicks took over for the Lancers yet again scoring 13 of his 17 points in the second half on 8/11 shooting. A high percentage scorer who makes the right plays. Received interest from a few coaches in attendance which will grow from here. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2630600"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686f46ed0fefe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A strong, athletic player. Great rebounding ability with a couple put back dunks. Strong defender in the paint. During my viewing he showed the ability to guard every position. Has a nice mid range game and is a skilled scorer in the paint. Attacks the basket strong from either side. Malachi is an intriguing prospect. He plays hard and had a good showing at Section 7 but his ceiling is still pretty high. He plays a vital role for the Red Wolves and will be a huge factor in their success this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->