Feast Week: High Motors
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The week of Thanksgiving I watched 50 teams play (48 from AZ) from Monday-Saturday at five different tournaments. I attended the Coyote Classic at Central and Camelback on Monday and Tuesday. I was at Mesa HS for the Fear the Hop tournament on Wednesday,…
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Continue ReadingThe week of Thanksgiving I watched 50 teams play (48 from AZ) from Monday-Saturday at five different tournaments. I attended the Coyote Classic at Central and Camelback on Monday and Tuesday. I was at Mesa HS for the Fear the Hop tournament on Wednesday, The Valley Christian Tournament at Seton Catholic, Welcome to the Jungle at Gilbert HS on Friday and lastly I attended the The LV8 Invitational at Chandler-Gilbert CC on Saturday.
Here are some of the top motors I viewed:
Aligo Banja Aligo Banja 6'6" | PF Central | 2024 State AZ Central (Pictured)
Their post player is a rim runner who dunks it effortlessly and plays with a big motor. He spring up so quickly to dunk it and moves well in space to cut off his opponents. He will block shots in his area and score. He can post up a little and go to work. He tends to favor his right hand, but he very is efficient with it.
Nolan Kramer Nolan Kramer 6'5" | PF Gilbert | 2025 State AZ Gilbert
A power forward who will score on offensive rebound put backs. He has a great motor to keep plays alive on the glass. The lefty is a little undersized but has good length sprinkled in with some athleticism. He will dive on the floor for loose balls. He makes multiple moves in the post and boxes out on defense. He will also score with up and under moves and runs the court for easy points.
Demetrius Malone Demetrius Malone 6'4" | PF Dobson | 2024 State AZ Dobson
A good sized post player who can score on jump hook shots and is very effective near the basket. He runs the court well for loose balls and will get on the glass to rebound. Around their talented guard quartet, he is a perfect compliment for them.
Amir Brown Amir Brown 6'4" | SF Peoria | 2024 State AZ Peoria
A newcomer is a long wing forward who plays the 3-5 for the Panthers. He is a good rebounder with his length and covers a lot of ground on defense to collect steals and block shots. He will score it around the basket and brings a little size to the undersized team.
Jay Olson Jay Olson 6'4" | PF Casa Grande | 2024 State AZ Casa Grande
A burly frame post player with broad shoulders and long arms. He has good touch around the basket and sets strong picks. He plays hard inside the trenches versus bigger players plus will take charge and will grab the 50/50 loose ball. His motor and effort keeps him on the court.
Desean Middlebrook Desean Middlebrook 6'3" | SF Mesquite | 2026 State AZ Mesquite
A high motored wing forward is handling the ball more and can make plays. He will pull-up from mid-range, which looks to be his sweet spot. He will throw it down on the break and he rebounds like a madman in and out of his area with a huge motor.
Taimari Jones Taimari Jones 6'6" | PF McClintock | 2024 State AZ McClintock
A long forward is a great rebounder and has a big motor. He runs the floor, scores it in transition, can face-up to the three and will defend in space and inside the paint. He catches the ball well in heavy traffic and goes up quickly. He rebounds as a true chaser and will attack the ball at at its highest point. He will also block shots in and out of his area.
Brock Steele Brock Steele 6'1" | SF Seton Catholic | 2026 State AZ Seton Catholic
A high motored wing forward’s catch three keeps improving to go along with already athletic gifts. He is a very good out of area rebounder. He runs the court and makes himself available. He can dribble drive to the basket and score with good body control.
Nate Barlow Nate Barlow 5'10" | CG Maricopa | 2024 AZ Maricopa
A combo guard who is very athletic. He can catch and shoot from the three point line and is a stud on defense with a great motor. He will collect steals and rebounds well despite his size and seems to be near the ball often.