BigFoot LVC 2014 player takes for Arizona only

On July 24-28 ArizonaVarsity.com attended Hal Pastner’s BigFoot Las Vegas Classic. The games were held in various gyms throughout Las Vegas over the 5 days. With the largest amount of teams attending and the utmost importance of trying to make that last impression to the college coaches, here are some of the Arizona players that played well from the 2014 class.

6-foot-5 SG Dorian Pickens (Oakland Soldiers) attends Pinnacle. Pickens once again showed why he is one of the most coveted Arizona unsigned prospect. His offensive game was on display over the week. He scored in a variety of ways with quick pull-up jumpers, floaters over the defense, finishing lay-ups through contact on either side, hitting the deep ball and coming off screens to score. He isn’t just a scorer, as he brings a high IQ to facilitate the ball when needed. He also looked better on defense overall. He slimmed down his body and is moving quicker laterally. He will never be the lockdown defender, but he is improving. He recently just picked up an offer from Oklahoma State to go along with his many PAC-12 offers.

6-foot-8 PF Connor MacDougall (AZ Power Black) attends Corona del Sol. MacDougall has steadily improved all summer and still is expanding his game. The strong true power forward has improved the consistency on his face-up jumper, added a nice jump hook and is getting better with his drop steps to score. When he gets space to score down low, he takes his time and feels the defender and goes to work with his hook or drop step moves. He also sets a mean pick up top and has solid hands to catch the ball in traffic to score a pick-and-roll. He can pick-and-pop and is improving his timing defensively on the glass to block shots. He can be explosive at times, but it would help him to explode underneath the basket and dunk the ball instead of lay-ups or jump hooks. The ASU verbal commit is still on the rise.

6-foot-9 PF Payton Dastrup (California Supreme) attends Mesa Mountain View. Dastrup was up and down in the 6 quarters that I saw him play. He had some special moments with spin moves to the paint for thunderous dunks, hit some deep face-up jumpers, made some clutch free throws when the team was down and rebounded well in his area. He did struggle against the strength of some of his opponents. He got pushed out of the paint and was forced to shoot jumpers from the perimeter. This is where we feel he will score the most for the next level. He is a tough and rugged player, but doesn’t have the strength of others yet. Dastrup is a fundamentally sound defender who can time the ball from the weak side to block or alter shots. He just picked up an offer from Ohio State plus has Kansas, Florida and most of the PAC-12.

6-foot-3 PG Casey Benson (AZ Power Black) attends Corona del Sol. Benson was steady all week long with either scoring or passing. He either scores from deep, uses the floater, goes by his man and finishes with either hand or passes to an open man. He is a true team leader and has a passion to win all games he plays. He also wants the ball in his hands in crucial moments and is not afraid to fail. His defense is improving on the ball and he puts his body on the line to take a charge. One of his best skills is changing speeds keeping the defense off-balance trying to defend him. The Oregon verbal commit is one of the better point guards on the West Coast with his skill, craftiness and IQ.

6-foot-5 SG Jake Toolson (AZ Power Black) attends Highland. Toolson has been up and down during the live period, but was truly special over the week. He consistently hit the deep ball and competed harder then anyone. Many were impressed with him all week long. He rebounds better then most guards and can guard 3 positions fairly well. He is extremely confident in his abilities and shows that in every game while he hits big shots and makes game changing plays around the court. He can be a point forward at times since he has a high IQ to make plays for others. He will have to keep his body in shape so he doesn’t lose any speed or quickness long term. The BYU verbal commit is playing his best ball right now.

Stock Rising 

6-foot-4 SG Roberto Reyes (AZ Power Black) attends Gilbert Christian. Reyes is another player who has been up and down during the live period, but showed off a lot of attributes he brought to the table this week. He is an athletic, quick defender on the ball and is terrific scoring in transition. He also rebounds extremely well for a guard or keeps balls alive on the glass. He has an improved jumper out to the three-point line and in, but he will still need to work on this moving forward. He was recently offered by Northern Colorado.

6-foot-3 SG Will Goff (AZ Power Black) attends Desert Mountain. Goff has been almost non-existent during the live period. He either didn’t produce or get the proper touches. This wasn’t the case this week. In the biggest game of the year versus Cali Supreme he scored 12 points on only 6 attempts. He continued his strong play over the next few games and had coaches checking out who he was. He is a sturdy defender with a solid frame who can hit the mid-range ball or the three-point shot. Division-1 and Division-2 schools were looking at him.

6-foot-2 SG Austin Witherill (AZ Power White) attends Highland. Witherill is a volume shooter with immense confidence. He has been getting more and more consistent over the last few weeks and has a decent frame to finish off his lay-ups. He won’t wow you athletically, but he competes on the defensive end and has a good IQ to help out in all facets of the game. Some Division-2 and Division-3 schools were monitoring him.

6-foot-5 SF Bailey Stephens (AZ Rebels) attends Flagstaff. Stephens is a crafty wing player who can handle the ball like a point guard. He won’t blow by anyone with his speed, but he puts defenders on his hip and gets into the lane with his solid handle and craftiness. He has an extremely high IQ and facilitates to his teammates. He has a decent body to bang inside for a wing and can move his feet well defensively. He has a streaky outside shot and has an old-school game to find ways to score from different spots on the floor. He has a 3.7 GPA and a few Division-3 schools are after him.

Quick Hitters 

6-foot-9 PF Quinn Price (AZ Stars) attends Vista Grande. Price was a terror on the defensive end with 6 blocks and 12 rebounds. He showed great timing and used his athleticism and length to rebound the ball. His outside shot was off, but he has range to the three-point line. His post moves are still a work in progress at this point. Price just received his first offer from the University of Minnesota Duluth.

6-foot-2 SG Calvin Outlaw (AZ Rebels) attends Arcadia. Outlaw is a true scorer that can put up points in a hurry. He rises high on his jumper and can use the floater to score. His true range is from around 15-feet, but he can hit the three-ball as well. He will have to get his handle tighter to further his game.