Bash in the Desert: Stock Up

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I&nbsp;attended the annual Prep Hoops AZ&nbsp;<strong>Bash in the Desert</strong>&nbsp;at the Phhacility in Phx May 1-3. I viewed nearly every team in the 17U division and came up with nine all-17U Teams. In the process I found some players who will be rising in the rankings at the end of the summer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Here are 7 players who saw their Stock Rise</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2513390' first='Barron' last='Rygiel'] Boulder Creek (UH Elite 17 Blue) (Pictured)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The long power forward is just putting it all together now. He is slowly coming along and he could be a 6A breakout candidate for Boulder Creek. He is polishing up his perimeter shooting from mid to the three but also showing he will defend, rebound and block shots.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2276224' first='Tre' last='Wilkins'] AZ Compass Prep (UH Elite 17 Gold)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arguably the biggest stock riser of the Bash in the Desert tournament. He filled it up from way beyond the arc with a super quick trigger and immense confidence. He scored 20+ points versus some of the best teams and can step back off the dribble or shoot it off the catch.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2772309' first='Drew' last='Copple'] Highland (East Valley Select 17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A physical framed wing forward may earn a lot more playing time this upcoming season with a big 2026 class graduating for the Hawks. He brings his lunch pail to every game and he just knows how to play with plus court vision, downhill takes and perimeter J's.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2291971' first='Jackson' last='Gillard'] Campo Verde (BC Hoops 17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A combo guard is another to keep track of this season as he can break out alongside their deep group of talented guards. He is a skilled shooter to the three point line but brings other traits to the court with defending, rebounding and collecting steals.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2574803' first='Joshua' last='Blevins'] Skyline Prep ([program_tooltip program_id='2076648' first='Peak' last='Basketball'] 17 Rise)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the longest and tallest power forwards in the class. He is a lean but skilled to the three point line and showing you glimpses of what he can be down the road with dunks, running the court, blocking shots and rebounding.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2292815' first='Jamar'e' last='Stoudemire'] NFL Yet (AZ Legacy 17 3SGB)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The nephew of the legend Amare Stoudemire has took a minute to figure it out but he is coming around with some skill around the basket, his athleticism is kicking in and he will run the floor, rebound and dunk it.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3588606' first='Makoi' last='Makoi'] Canyon View (UH Elite 17 Gold)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A couple famous phrases come to mind when I think of Makoi. "Bigs take the longest to develop and bigs always get the last laugh." He has definitely turned the corner with his coordination, fluidity, touch around the basket and movement skills seemingly overnight. Look for him to potentially start with the newly 6A Canyon View team. Another breakout candidate.    </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->