Arizona MLK Classic Recap: Top R&J Athletes

<p>The MLK Classic took place at the Arizona Grand Ballroom from January 16th through January 18th. Hosted by recruiting legend, Gerry Freitas, the event featured grassroots programs from Washington, California, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. It also featured several guys with the ability to get up and get out. In this article, we take a look at some of the top Run and Jump athletes from the event. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="947816" first="Miles" last="Byrd"] <em>6’6 SF Port City (CA) (#70PHNC 2022)</em> - Byrd is aptly named. He soared through the air all weekend. The long-legged Junior gobbles up real estate when he runs. He gets off the floor effortlessly and displayed a good 1st and 2nd jump. </p> <p><strong>Ariya Briscoe</strong> <em>6’0 PG Team Lavine 2021 (WA)</em> - Anyone walking in the gym can tell that Briscoe belongs on a run and jump team. Mr quick twitch muscle, Briscoe explodes to the rim and finishes over defenders. While he didn’t have a ton of dunks, his speed allowed him to get out in transition and his leaping ability allowed him to get it high above outstretched arms. </p> <p><strong>James Freemen</strong> <em>6’4 SF Capital City Cougars 6’5 PF 2022 (CA)</em> - Freemen used his bounce to grab boards. BouncyJ is the perfect IG handle for him. Freemen gets off the ground off two feet. He had several monster putback dunks during the weekend. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="843735" first="Jalen" last="Barbee"]</strong> <em>6’5 SF Washington Supreme 2021 (#47PHW 2021)</em> - Saw Barbee about a month ago, he was good but he didn’t look like this. One of the more dominant players on the weekend, he used his explosive leaping ability to impact games with his out of area rebounding and rim protection. </p> <p><strong>Noah Thomas</strong> <em>6’2 CG Nor Cal Ducks 2022 (CA)</em> - When I first started at PH one of the writers told me "walk the floor until someone makes you stop". Thomas made me stop. Good lateral quickness, combined with above-average vertical. The 6’2 guard got out in the open floor, throwing down several dunks. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1111518" first="Malik" last="Madison"]</strong> <em>6’9 C Ascending Life 2021 (CA)</em> - Whoa. Madison definitely looked the part this weekend. Bigs are at a premium, add in his ability to grab out of area boards and block shots and you’ve got something. A clear sleeper, Madison used his quick first jump ability to swat anything close to the rim.  </p> <p><strong>Derajae Agboasi</strong> <em>6’6 PF PHH Prep 2021 (AZ)</em> - Agboasi is a physical specimen. He has terrific foot speed and gets off the ground immediately. He was not playing around when he caught it down low. He got off the ground and at the rim. Agboasi is starting to gain interest from some low majors. </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/7outzbballclub1">Follow Prep Hoops</a></p>