Spring Classic: Sleepers

April 23rd-25th I attended the West Coast Elite’s Spring Classic at the Phhacility in Phx, AZ. It was an AAU event of all ages. There were a lot of top teams at the event from many states including Alaska and here were some of the sleepers of the event I viewed.   15 sleepers: (Half of them are first time viewers for me) 2021 Demarion Delaney PG 5’11 East/AK (TruGame/Alaska) -A tough on-ball defender is feisty, fast and strong. He is a good shooter and is smart off the pick and roll. He uses his strength and handle to get into the lane and score it. He was one of the catalysts for the Alaskan team winning the OPEN division Chip.   2022 [player_tooltip player_id="826997" first="Foune" last="Doucoure"] (AZ Supreme) -One of the stronger forwards in state who is becoming a capable perimeter shooter. He can make them from mid to the 3pt line. He will block shots, rim run above the crowd and rebounds better then most in the state. He can rip through and score it with a quick move to the cup. He is fairly new to the game and can improve his feel. [player_tooltip player_id="968093" first="McCoy" last="Langston"] SF 6’6 Copper Hills/UT (Utah Premier Elite) -A bigger winged shooter was one of the better shooters off the catch. He has range and catches and shoots quickly. He can create a little off the dribble but is clearly best off the catch. He has that picture perfect high shot release. (Pictured below) <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/IMG_E0421-crop-2190x1438-1620588367.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1188839" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/IMG_E0421-crop-2190x1438-1620588367-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="936379" first="AJ" last="Riggs"] (AZ Hawks) -Another top shooter at the event. He is a catch and shoot specialist who is one of the best standstill shooters in the state from his class. He was 47% from the 3pt line and 90% from the FT line during the HS season. He gives a hard shot fake then drives it into a floater or can create the separation needed to get his 3 off. [player_tooltip player_id="973584" first="Matix" last="Arnett"] (AZ Hawks) (Pictured on left) -A tough and physical PG is crafty, smart, strong and changes speeds well. Not many in the class are stronger then Arnett. His drive and kick game is always on point. He has a nice layup package and can finish through contact with sturdy frame. [player_tooltip player_id="936759" first="Mason" last="Knollmiller"] (AZ Hawks) (Pictured on right) -A fun player to view. He has shocking open court speed and athleticism. He had a couple poster dunks on the weekend. He out races virtually most players for a layup or dunk. He has a nice crossover and can get to the cup with very few strides. He is a sneaky good passer and makes difficult shots in traffic. [player_tooltip player_id="934598" first="Jaylen" last="Wesley"] (AZ Select Contreras) -A strong rebounder is a warrior inside with a big time motor as he outworks his opponents. He can euro step and is very good with the pick and roll game. He defends bigger post players and can move out on the perimeter to defend. He handles the ball well to create his own shot in the lane and can score it through contact. [player_tooltip player_id="933539" first="Jacob" last="Estrella"] (AZ Supreme) -A scoring guard who is good defensively. He has good length and keeps his opponents in front of him. He can drive the lane and makes perimeter jumpers from mid to the 3. He is probably best from mid and is a smart passer. [player_tooltip player_id="967707" first="Yaw" last="Reneer"] CG 6’4 American Fork/UT (Utah Mountain Stars) -A big bodied combo guard can drive and kick it to an open shooter. He loves getting downhill using his build. He can euro his way to the basket and consistently makes plays for others. His body, passing and physicality make his game go.   2023 Issiac Boykin CG/PG 6’1 Desert Pines/NV (LV Punishers UAA 16) -A deep shooter reminds me of [player_tooltip player_id="701263" first="Orlando" last="Gonzales"] from Arizona. He has DEEP range from well beyond the 3pt line. He gets hots in a blink of an eye. He plays a smart floor game and makes the correct reads. [player_tooltip player_id="1009139" first="Erenzo" last="Scroggins"] (AZ Select 16 UAA) -A defensive standout for the talented club. His strength, motor and toughness are assets to the team. He defends almost every position on the court and is a highlight finisher on the break. [player_tooltip player_id="1160999" first="Devin" last="Miller"] (AZ Select 16 Wilson) -A natural downhill scorer is tough around the hoop. He also has impressive lateral quickness to defend on the ball. A sneaky good passer who hustles on defense and looks to be the glue guy next year for the Jaguars. [player_tooltip player_id="1180559" first="Max" last="Lightfoot"] (AZ Select 16 Wilson) -The younger brother of Kansas forward Mitch Lightfoot has a nice game. This was my first time viewing him and came away impressed. He can shoot the 3 and from mid-range. He runs the floor and crashes the glass. He shows good activity on both sides of the court. Like Mitch, he plays the game with a purpose and brings a high motor. [player_tooltip player_id="1180583" first="Marsai" last="Mason"] (AZ Select 16 Wilson) -Another first time viewer is currently unknown. He is a long and athletic forward and is a versatile defender. He scores it primarily inside but made a few perimeter shots including a 3. He handles the ball decently and shows natural upside. Khalon Norman W 6’2 Ironwood (Firestorm 16 Gold) -A thicker downhill wing loves attacking the basket. He is a capable perimeter shooter but is mostly a paint scorer. He brings good physicality and toughness to each game. He is the biggest sleeper on this list since he hasn’t played HS basketball yet.