Hoopers Club West Valley ID Camp: Unranked Players Worth a Look

I attended the 1st Annual Hoopers Club West Valley ID Camp, put together by Aaron Villa and hosted at Independence High School in Glendale, AZ. The event drew players mostly from the West Valley, but we still got to see a handful of guys from different areas of the state. It was a well-organized camp that allowed these young men to compete in front of coaches and scouts, and it was a high-intensity, high-character group who played with a ton of energy, which made every game enjoyable to watch. With this event, plenty of unranked players impressed and made their case for why they belong on people's radar for the upcoming season. These are the ones that caught my eye.    Quick guard who uses rapid spins and natural speed to get into the paint before dishing it out to teammates. Didn't need to do a ton of scoring since he was a valuable passer who opened up the floor for everyone else once defenders collapsed on him. Really excelled on the defensive end, playing pesky on-ball defense and finding any way to get a hand on the ball, breaking up a dribble for the steal or forcing the turnover. And once he had it, he was dangerous in transition due to his insane speed.     High upside player with some real bounce, and he uses it to his advantage mostly on the defensive end, elevating for blocks and getting great shot contests in the paint. Also comes down hard with defensive rebounds, ripping the ball to ensure no one knocks it out of his hands. Even showed a little bit of his promise on the offensive end with the ability to convert on a turnaround fadeaway midrange attempt over a taller body.     One of the more athletic players at the camp, flying all over the floor for rebounds at both ends, and he will put it straight back up when he snags one on the offensive end. Solid hands on defense, picking up steals and forcing turnovers consistently. A downhill threat as well, powering in and readjusting on the way up, or kicking it out to a teammate when he can't get a clean look at the rim.     Did a lot of things well, displaying a solid conversion rate on his three point attempts, doing it through step-backs and off the catch. Can hit from the midrange as well. Took full advantage of his size to bully defenders while driving in and gain ideal positioning near the rack. Good on the defensive end too, elevating and getting good contests on shots in the paint and even converting on a few blocks.     Super quick change-of-pace player who gets to the rim on euro-step drives, in the halfcourt or in transition, or on strong takes where he uses his speed to get the first step on his man. High motor at both ends, fighting for steals on defense and taking them coast to coast. Bouncy player who gets to his spots in a hurry and can finish above the rim.     Excellent on-ball defender no matter the matchup, who plays with physicality, making it difficult for opponents to get by him on the perimeter, forcing them to kick it out. Holds up in the paint too, getting up high for block attempts and showing off his verticality. Fights for offensive rebounds and elevates on drives to the rim as well, showing glimpses as a downhill scorer.     Quick and shifty guard who likes to attack downhill, and he can score from the midrange and three-point line as well. Creates his own space with that quickness, which makes him tough to stick with, and he draws fouls on the way up at the rim. Consistently fights for loose balls at either end, and is always looking to pick his opponent's pocket.     Put together some strong defensive performances, playing with high intensity, snagging multiple steals, going up for blocks and fighting hard on the defensive glass. A spark plug on that end of the court with a big motor behind it. Had some strong takes to the basket as well, finishing coast to coast through contact and using step-through moves to get himself easier looks.

I attended the 1st Annual Hoopers Club West Valley ID Camp, put together by Aaron Villa and hosted at Independence High School in Glendale, AZ. The event drew players mostly from the West Valley, but we still got to see a handful of guys from different areas of the state. It was a well-organized camp that allowed these young men to compete in front of coaches and scouts, and it was a high-intensity, high-character group who played with a ton of energy, which made every game enjoyable to watch. With this event, plenty of unranked players impressed and made their case for why they belong on people's radar for the upcoming season. These are the ones that caught my eye.