Sleepers at The Arizona Competition Classic

<p>The <strong>Arizona Competition Classic</strong> was held March 20-21 at Apollo High School in Glendale. This report takes a look at some of the sleepers in the event. In a normal world the term sleeper is a misnomer. But in the COVID era with most coaches not being allowed to be in the gym watching, many players are being over-looked. It is very common these days for a legitimate prospect to have no offers and/or, no schools talking to him…</p> <p><strong>6’4 W Michael Ajayi of Kentwood HS (WA) 2021 (2021 (West Coast Prep)</strong></p> <p>This was Ajayi second trip to Phoenix and he was equally as impressive as he was MLK weekend. He is an athletic wing who impacts the game at both ends of the floor. And he has proven himself to be a consistent shooter with long range. He gets a lot accomplished consistently. He is not very well known but he is a legitimate Division I prospect.</p> <p><strong>6’3 CG Harlan Banks of St Francis HS (CA) 2022 (Sneakersteal)</strong></p> <p>Banks had a good showing at this event and showed that he belongs on the D-1 radar in the class of 2022. He’s an athletic combo guard with a nice skill set. He can score at all three levels (perimeter, mid-range, at the rim) and he has a competitive instinct. His high school teammate Isaiah Kerr is more well known but Banks will be heard from in his own right when it is all said and done.</p> <p><strong>6’6 SF [player_tooltip player_id="1138827" first="Javonte" last="Darrett"] of Kent Meridian HS (WA) 2021 (West Coast Prep)</strong></p> <p>Darrett came through with a solid performance and proved he is a Division I player. In normal times this kid would have a few offers but these aren’t normal times (and he is without offers). He’s a three man with a versatile all-around game who is a consistent scorer. He is very efficient finishing in transition and in the half court, showing the ability to elevate over the defender. He is a pretty good (set) shooter who can nail it from downtown. And impressively, he does a nice job pursuing rebounds. Darrett IS a Division I player.</p> <p><strong>6’1 SG [player_tooltip player_id="929597" first="Connor" last="Drinkwine"] of Emerald Ridge HS (WA) 2021 (Washington Surpreme Purple)</strong></p> <p>Drinkwine “showed out” at the Arizona Competition Classic. He is a SHOOTING guard who can REALLY shoot. He put on a big-time performance and proved he is an ELITE shooter. His father is an NAIA coach in Washington and this writer indicated to the dad he has “no chance" to get his son (to his school) based on this outing. The kid has text-book form and he takes good shots. He moves well without the ball and he is a master at catch and shoot. The kid is rail thin and needs to develop some kind of build/strength. But if you need a SHOOTER, this is the guy…</p> <p><strong>6’10 C Mike Foliron of Bella Vista Prep (AZ) 2021 (The Show)</strong></p> <p>Every once in a while in the scouting world one gets an opportunity to “discover” a bona-fide prospect who was a virtual unknown. Such was the case with Mike Foliron in this event. The kid was not healthy during the season and did not get to play. The scouts at the AZ Competition Classic had a revelation on this one. A true sleeper who will make some coach very happy at the next level. He is MVP of the all-sleeper team. Foliron is a long and fairly athletic five man who brings a lot to the table. He can handle it a little and he’s a good passer. He can get to the basket on the one-bounce drive, he shoots it fairly well mid-range and he has a solid jump hook. He can also rebound and block a shot. Rip Van Winkle talk to me-this sleeper is a legit prospect who is hearing from multiple D-1 schools but has a no offers (because they have not seen him in person).</p> <p><strong>6’0 PG [player_tooltip player_id="940526" first="Jerry" last="Hayes"] of Emerald Ridge HS (WA) 2021 (Washington Supreme Purple)</strong></p> <p>Hayes is the type of players who “grows on you” each time you watch him. He has certainly put himself in the Division I conversation with his play. He’s a real athletic one man who makes plays in transition and in the half court. He has an excellent first step and he gets by defenders consistently. He clearly proved he can shoot the ball (with 3 range) and he has a solid pull-up game. Word to the wise coaches- don’t sleep on this kid...</p> <p><strong>6’7 SF Zion Sensley of Riordan HS (CA) 2024 (Sneakersteal)</strong></p> <p>Give the coaches ONE day out on the road and Zion Sensley will be done being a sleeper. He has the potential to play basketball for many years. The only reason the whole world is not on him is because they have not seen him. He’s an athletic three man with long arms who has impressive skills. He shoots it well with LONG range, he has a solid pull-up game and a nice floater drive. He can also rebound and block shots due to his unique length. If I am an agent, I am going to get to know this kid and his family.</p> <p><strong>6’8 PF/C Robert Vaihola of Riordan HS (CA) 2021 (Sneakersteal)</strong></p> <p>Vaihola has been written up in numerous articles previously and he is a charter member of the all-sleeper team. Mr Prep Hoops- Bruce Williams, continues to be perplexed by the lack of offers for this kid and understandably so. He has a good hands and he is a very accomplished post-up scorer. He has a face-up drive and he can shoot it mid-range. He’s also a solid rebounder in his box. Simply, he’s a division I player who coaches don’t know about. They NEED to find out about him…</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>