Top Performers Emerge at the Contenders Conference

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Contenders Conference (Grind Session) delivered a loaded weekend of hoops at the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, and several players made it clear they came to dominate. With national scouts in the building and top programs lining the courts, these six guys separated themselves with big-time performances, poise, and toughness in pressure moments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"DJ Smith","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77243","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"ABC Prep","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6924c667ae7a7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">DJ put together one of the most productive performances of the entire event with 24 points and 5 rebounds in a win over Dream City Christian. Smith stretched the floor with multiple threes, punished defenders at the rim, and ran the floor extremely well for his size. He protected the paint, switched out on the perimeter, and even helped initiate the offense. His play didn't go unnoticed — he picked up three Division I offers after the event from Omaha, Stephen F. Austin, and Oral Roberts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2892400"],"_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-6924c667ae84c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jashon showed everybody exactly why he's the top player in his class. The young guard put together a monster 28-point performance in a tough win over Eduprize. What stood out most wasn't just the scoring — it was how he controlled the game like a real point guard. Morinia constantly touched the paint, forced the defense to collapse, and created open looks for his teammates. When it was time to score, he delivered with clutch shot-making and strong finishes at the rim. Defensively, he brought nonstop energy and was one of the most relentless on-ball defenders at the entire event. Even as a middle school prospect playing up, he dictated the pace and the moment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2111672"],"_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-6924c667ae8cc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cabo had one of the most explosive shooting weekends of the event. He dropped 16 points and went 4–6 from deep in a win over Bella Vista, then followed that up with a ridiculous 35-point outing against Sequoia where he knocked down <em>nine</em> threes. Miller's quick release and elite confidence were on full display — he didn't hesitate, didn't blink, and kept firing with rhythm every time the defense lost him for a split second. Few players at the Contenders Conference shot the ball at his level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2115174"],"_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-6924c667ae946"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gabe put together a complete game in his team's win over The Academy Phoenix. He scored 25 points and stayed poised from start to finish, hitting big-time shots in key moments. Trujillo did an excellent job getting downhill and finishing at the rim while also taking care of the ball and creating advantages for others. He also had one of his better defensive games of the season, reading passes, jumping lanes, and turning steals into easy transition points. His leadership and consistency stood out just as much as the scoring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2893001"],"_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-6924c667ae9bd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mason might've been one of the youngest players on any court all weekend, but he didn't play like it. Mason was a standout defensively, constantly pestering ball-handlers and setting a tone with his toughness. His fearlessness showed in every game, and his offensive confidence popped on Saturday when he drilled back-to-back transition threes against Sequoia. He also floated in a soft touch floater during that matchup, helping secure the win. His two-way impact as a 2029 guard was impressive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1509237"],"_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-6924c667aea31"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Carter had a strong showing for ABC Prep highlighted by a 16-point, 8-rebound stat line in a win over Bella Vista. Basquez attacked from all three levels, played fast in transition, and consistently found ways to put pressure on opposing defenses. On the other end, he was active and disruptive with both his on-ball and off-ball defense, making life difficult for whoever he guarded.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->