On July 24-28 ArizonaVarsity.com attended Hal Pastner's BigFoot Las Vegas Classic. Here are some of Arizona's players from the 2015-17 classes that played well.
Top Performers
6-foot-6 SG 2015 Dane Kuiper (16U AZ Power Black) attends Corona del Sol. Kuiper was terrific in the hardest game of the year versus the Houston Hoops. He looked like the best prospect as he was all over the court on defense and offense. Kuiper is actually the tallest player on his team and gave them some much needed rebounding. He was successful attacking the glass with 12 rebounds. He also facilitated for his teammates with 4 assists and grabbed 3 steals. Offensively, he hit floaters, mid-range jumpers, tip-ins, came off screens and finished through contact on a couple of plays with his left and right hand. He ran the court exceptionally well with the ball in his hands and hurt the defense with his versatility. The recent New Mexico verbal commit is still improving his game.
6-foot-9 SF 2016 Wyatt Lowell (17U AZ Stars Ekmark) attends Gilbert. Lowell is very talented and he showed much of his skills in the game I saw. For a six-foot-nine player he is extremely graceful, shoots threes easily, he's a great passer, handles the ball like a guard and is getting tougher. He also brought out a new weapon to score with a very quick spin move down low, which he used twice and it was impressive. He can handle behind the back and cross you over and holds a high IQ which make him dangerous. He won't win any races for you, but he is crafty and goes at his own pace efficiently. He looks like he is putting on some muscle, which is needed with his slight frame. Lowell is already garnering interest from Iowa and some other Division-1 schools.
6-foot-2 SG 2016 Tyrell Henderson (15U AZ Power Black) attends Corona del Sol. Henderson was special all week with his defense and offense. He guards the toughest player on each team in every game and either shuts them out or slows them down. He has tremendous lateral quickness and long arms to bother his opponents. He grabs steals, blocks shots and is a good rebounder down low for a guard. On offense he has a smooth shot out to the three-point line. He is a killer from the corner three and loves the mid-range jumper. He has trouble finishing off his lay-ups through contact due to a lack of strength. He already holds a NAU offer and other Division-1 schools are keeping a close eye on him.
Stock Rising
6-foot-8 C 2015 Truman Moore (17U AZ Stars Ekmark) attends Gilbert. Moore struggled in some recent games in June with his conditioning. He looked a little leaner this week and had some more pep in his step. He blocked or altered many balls and rebounded well. His outside shot wasn't falling as much as he liked, but his passing, defense and scoring down low had improved with more energy. Moore just received an offer from Weber State along with a few other Division-1 schools looking at him.
6-foot-6 F 2015 Deion James (17U AZ Stars) attends Empire. James has been transitioning to the small forward position this summer and he showed flashes of that this week. He still does most of his damage down low, but he is improving. He showed off his handle, outside shot and blew-by some defenders. He also showed his natural IQ to make some nice passes to teammates. He is attracting some Division-1 schools like Boise State and Cal State Davis with no official offer yet.
6-foot-3 F 2016 Kevin Mack (15U AZ Power Red) attends Desert Edge. Mack was picked up for the week and didn't disappoint. He was a load inside to deal with his high motor and strength. He plays football and he has that kind of attitude on the court. He doesn't back down to any challenge defending anyone inside the paint or on the perimeter. His shot outside is streaky, but scores most of his points inside with his effort, timing and touch.
6-foot-3 PF 2016 Malik Simmons (15U AZ Rebels) attends Greenway. Simmons played at a non-AIA school last year so he wasn't noticed. It took me about 5 minutes to realize this prospect has potential to be good. He is very strong down low in the paint and loves to bang inside for rebounds. He has a non-stop motor and loves to compete. He is a tad raw, but has a developing game down low.
Quick Hitters
5-foot-7 PG 2017 Holland "Boo Boo" Woods (15U AZ Future Legends) attends Apollo. Woods showed his quickness with the ball in his hands, three-point shot and passing ability playing up one level.
6-foot-5 W 2015 Rees Plummer (17U AZ Stars Ekmark) attends Deer Valley. Plummer has been transitioning to the wing position as he has been playing down low most of his life. The lefty has a streaky three-point shot and solid mid-range game. He will have to improve his handles moving forward, but holds a high IQ and good work ethic to make the switch.
6-foot-7 PF 2015 James Sosinski (17U AZ Stars Ekmark) attends Hamilton. Sosinski first sport is football, where he plays quarterback, but he is a very good basketball player as well. He is very strong down low banging with anyone and has a smooth jump shot out to 12 feet and in. We will monitor him to see which sport he dedicates most of his time to.
6-foot-3 W 2015 Dakota Kordsiemon (17U Aim High) attends Catalina Foothills. It's been a long time since we have seen him play, but it's hard to miss him with his chiseled body. He has terrific body control going to the hole and a decent stroke from the outside as he is playing on the perimeter. Like Plummer, he is switching positions, but still gets most of his points inside the paint. He will have to become more consistent on the outside if he wants to switch full time. He competes very hard on every possession and it will be interesting to see where he takes his game to the next two years.
