Arizona Power AAU/Grassroots 2014 Season Preview

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Everyone loves a good underdog story, and that’s exactly what the Arizona Power AAU basketball program is trying to become.

Although Phoenix- where the team is based out of- is the 6th most populated city in the country, it is still not a nationally recognized city for great AAU basketball.

“We really want to do something different,” said 16u Head Coach John Ortega. “We are not respected by the rest of the country as a basketball city and we’re trying to change that.”

Last year the Arizona Power won “Newcomer of the Year” in AAU basketball, which Coach Ortega hopes can propel the program to elite status.

The continued rise to recognition starts with Marvin Bagley, one of the top eighth grade prospects in the nation. He got his first scholarship offer in 7th grade from Northern Arizona, and since then many more schools have recognized his talent, including some Pac-12 schools.

“There’s nothing on the court he can’t do,” said Coach Ortega. “He can jump out of the gym, shoot 3’s, and most importantly, he works hard. He really puts in the time to get better.”

Along with Bagley, the Power should have a great cast of supporting players. One of those players is 6’6” shooting guard Dane Kuiper, who has already verbally committed to New Mexico. He’s ranked #78 by Rivals and has an overall scout grade of 75 on ESPN.

Another player that will contribute for the 17u squad is Markus Howard out of Perry High School in Gilbert, AZ, who was 1st team all-state as a freshman and averaged 26 points for his team. He’s already getting looked at by Pac-12 colleges such as Arizona State University and University of Arizona.

Over the course of the next spring and summer, the Power will compete in tournaments such as the Double Pump Hoopfest, the Best of the Summer Double Pump tournament, and the Big Foot Classic.

More than anything, Coach Ortega wants his program to be about the kids.

“We don’t pride ourselves on getting every player to big name schools,” he said. “We pride ourselves on getting every player a scholarship to any level that they’re talent and work ethic can get them.”

The Arizona Power take pride in the team aspect of basketball, drilling the saying of “know your role, live your role, and excel in your role” into the mind of the players.

Throughout the course of the summer, look for the Power to make a push into elite territory for AAU basketball in not just the state of Arizona, but the whole nation.