Report on 2016 SWS Showcase
Gerry Freitas
National High School Basketball Analyst
The Southwest Exposure Showcase was held Sunday October 2 at the KROC enter in Phoenix. Here is a report on the event.
Top Prospects (*indicates highest consideration for this category)
6’0 PG Jovan Blackshear of Shadow Mountain HS 2019 (Powerhouse 16U)
Blackshear is an athletic one man who excels in an up tempo game. He is a solid ball handler and a real good passer who pushes the break consistently. He can finish in transition and get to the basket on the drive in a half court setting. He could use a little more feel in the decision- making process. Blackshear is a low major prospect currently.
*6’5 SF Majok Deng of Salpointe Catholic HS 2019 (Powerhouse 16U)
Deng continued to demonstrate why he is one of Arizona’s top prospect in any class with his play at this event. He has a very versatile skill set and finds different ways to score. He can score some in the post, he shoots it ok with 3-point range and he is an excellent driver who gets to the basket consistently well. But his best asset is his motor- he plays in attack mode at all times. Deng lies somewhere in the mid to high major range.
6’0 PG Miles Gantt of Cholla HS 2020 (Tucson Spartans)
Gantt is a promising young prospect in the 2020 class. He’s athletic, has long arms and has some burst with the ball in his hands. He pushes the break well and is efficient making plays in transition for himself and others. He has a nice first step and he finishes well. Gantt will be a division I prospect at some level.
*6’7 C/F Jason Harris of Desert Ridge HS 2020 (Powerhouse 16U)
Harris showed why he belongs high on the radar in the class of 2020. He’s an athletic postman with long arms and fairly good strength. He is a decent ball handler who has an ok short drive. He can dribble operate on the block and score some around the basket. He is also a capable rebounder who uses his length to get to the ball. Harris is a very nice young prospect with a bright future and has high-level potential!
6’4 CG Alec Hickman of Eleate Prep, CA 2017 (Eleate Prep)
Hickman is an athletic combo guard with solid ball handling skills. He shows some burst with the ball in his hands and is able to get in the lane and make plays. He pulls up nicely in the half court and can get to the basket on the drive. Hickman recently de-committed from Cal and is back on the market and will likely end up as a mid major signee.
6’7 F/C Nikc Jackson of Sunnyside HS 2018 (Powerhouse 17 Black)
Jackson is a combo postman who can influence the game at both ends. He’s a good passer, he shoots it ok with 3-point range and is a decent post up scorer. He has long arms which helps him be a solid shot blocker inside and he is a capable rebounder. Jackson is likely a low major prospect.
6’7 F/C Jok Jok of Moon Valley HS 2018 (Powerhouse 17 Black)
Jok stepped up in this event and showed he belongs on the 2018 radar. He’s a fairly athletic combo postman with long arms. He has a nice one-bounce drive and a solid jump hook inside. He can rebound the ball but does need to pursue it more consistently. He is thin and needs to develop some bulk/strength. Jok is an upper level low major prospect worth a higher look.
*6’6 CF TJ Jones of Chandler HS 2018 (AZ Team Flight 2019)
Jones had a cut-above showing in his event! He is an athletic combo forward who is physically impressive with real long arms and wiry strength. He handles it, is a real good passer and is a nice all-around scorer. He has a nice first step on the drive, can pull up in the half court, has a turnaround jump hook on the block and shoots it ok with 3-point range. Jones, who has multiple division I offers, has high major potential.
6’4 G/W Carlos Montilla of Elite 1 Prep 2018 (Elite 1 Prep)
Montilla is a fairly athletic guard/wing who shows some versatility. He’s a solid ball handler and passer who can make plays in transition. He moves fairly well without the ball and shoots it ok with 3-point range. He’s also a capable rebounder. Montilla is a division I prospect – just a question of what level.
6’4 G/W Genuwine Powell of New Way Christian HS, TX 2019 (NW Eagles)
Powell is an athletic guard/wing with a versatile skill set. He’s a confident ball handler, a solid driver with a nifty hesitation move and ok shooter with 3-point range. He is also a capable rebounder. Powell projects to be a low major prospect at this point.
6’4 SF Rashad Smith of Hamilton HS 2018 (Arizona Wizards)
Smith is an athletic three man with nice burst. He’s a capable ball handler and passer who can make plays on the fast break. His best asset is his ability to finish in transition. He can pull up in the half court and is a solid driver (has a hesitation move). He must prove himself as an outside shooter to solidify his chances to be a division I prospect.
Other Prospects to Consider: (*indicates highest consideration for this category)
6’3 PG Abdel Abdelghani of Planet Athlete Academy (Planet Athlete Academy)
Fair/decent athlete, runs well, ok strength, solid ball handler, can finish in transition, ok shooter with 3-point range, has a motor.
6’7 CF Jaxson Baker of Brophy Prep 2018 (Powerhouse 17 Black)
Average athlete, runs ok, long arms, capable ball handler, fairly good shooter with 3-point range.
6’3 CG Sam Beskind of Catalina Foothills HS 2018 (Powerhouse 17 Black)
Fair athlete, fairly good strength, handles it well, makes things happen, does compete.
6’0 PG Tyson Brown of Hamilton HS 2018 (Arizona Wizards)
Athletic, handles it well, can pull up half court, ok shooter with 3-point range, has a hesitation move, decent rebounder.
*6’3 PG Ian Burke of Brophy Prep 2018 (Powerhouse 17 Black)
Fair athlete, can run, good ball handler and passer, makes plays in transition, can penetrate, does compete.
6’3 G/W Ryan Engemann of Hamilton HS 2018 (Arizona Wizards)
Fairly good athlete, can handles and pass it, can finish in transition, ok shooter, capable driver.
6’4 CG Michael Fisher of Buena HS 2019 (Powerhouse Hoops Tucson 2019)
Average athlete, runs fairly well, can handle it, fairly good shooter with 3-point range, does compete.
6’6 CF Saikou Goueye Mountain Ridge HS 2017 (Inspire Tru Heat)
Athletic, ok strength, long arms, ok ball handler, decent driver, can rebound.
5’10 PG Joseph Gouty of Reno International Prep 2016 (Reno International Prep)
Fairly athletic, handles and passes it well, does push the break, sees the floor, penetrates effectively.
6’2 CG Deshaun Highler of Eleate Prep, CA Post Grad (Eleate Prep)
Athletic-nice burst, handles and passes it well, finishes in transition.
6’8 C Solomon Hunt of Eleate Prep, CA Post Grad (Eleate Prep)
Average athlete, big body, strong, dribble operates ok on the block, has a drop step, decent one- bounce drive, needs more consistent effort.
6’4 SF Camron Johnson of New Way Christian HS, TX (NW Eagles)
Athletic, long arms, can handle, passes fairly well, pulls up half court, ok shooter.
5’6 PG Joshuwan Johnson of Maricopa HS 2018 (Powerhouse Hoops Tucson 2019)
Good athlete, nice burst, handles and passes it well, has a hesitation move, penetrates well, has a nice first step.
5’8 PG Kameron Johnson of Tempe HS 2019 (AZ Team Flight 2019)
Fairly athletic- runs well, handles and passes it well, can make plays in transition, penetrates consistently.
6’6 PF Zach Johnson of Hamilton HS 2018 (Arizona Wizards)
Average athlete, runs ok, can dribble operate on the block, capable post up scorer, plays with his hands up, shoots it ok with 3-point range, does work hard.
6’3 SG Koby Jones of Centennial HS 2018 (Powerhouse 17 Black)
Athletic, handles and passes fairly well, sees the court, can defend, ok rebounder.
6’3 SG Deshawn Kelly of Reno International Prep 2017 (Reno International Prep)
Good athlete, long arms, can handle it, pull up in transition, capable driver- nice first step.
6’3 SF Francois Kuyo of Elite 1 Prep 2016 (Elite 1 Prep)
Fairly athletic, long arms can handle, passes fairly well, ok driver, has a floater.
5’11 PG Jonathan Lamb of Carl Hayden HS 2017 (Inspire Tru Heat)
Good athlete, runs well- nice burst, solid handler, pulls up well half court, good driver
6’2 SF David Loville of Elite 1 Prep Post Grad (Elite 1 Prep)
Good athlete, ok strength, long arms, ok ball handles, passes fairly well, can finish in transition, capable driver.
*6’1 CG Evan Nelson of Mountain View HS 2020 (Powerhouse 16U)
Athletic, solid ball handler, makes plays in transition, can defend.
5’10 CG Zach Paloma of Sunnyslope HS 2019 (AZ Team Flight 2019)
Ok athlete, runs fairly well, has some burst, handles and passes it well, makes plays in transition, gets to the basket on the drive, has a motor.
6’4 SF Elijah Smith of New Way Christian HS, TX (NW Eagles)
Athletic, runs well, long arms, capable ball handler, decent shooter with 3-point range, has a nice floater drive.
6’5 PF Isaiah Thompson of Central HS 2019 (AZ Team Flight 2019)
Ok athlete, runs fairly well, fairly big body, strong, decent ball handler, ok driver, solid rebounder.
6’0 PG Kahri White of Elite 1 Prep Post Grad (Elite 1 Prep)
Athletic, handles and passes fairly well, pushes the break, ok playmaker in transition, pulls up well half court, shoots it fairly well with 3-point range, has a floater, will defend.
Names to Note: (* Indicates highest consideration for this category)
6’3 W/G Hunter Alford of Boulder Creek HS 2017 (Aim High Elite)
6’4 PF Benson Athem of Dysart HS 2017 (Arizona Hustle)
6’1 SF Greg Butler of Central HS 2019 (Team Zona)
5’8 PG Dom Ciccagilone of Liberty HS 2017 (Relentless)
*6’2 CG Ahmire Gaines of Sierra Linda HS 2017 (Team Zona)
5’10 PG Tomari Harris of Flowing Wells HS 2019 (Powerhouse Hoops Tucson 2019)
6’0 PG/SG Roger Hernandez of Central HS 2017 (Aim High Elite)
7’0 C Trevor Irish of Planet Athlete Academy (Planet Athlete Academy)
6’7 CF Keith King of Planet Athlete Academy (Planet Athlete Academy)
6’6 PF/C Gatdoar Kueth of Elite 1 Prep Post Grad (Elite 1 Prep)
6’3 SG Preston Kuhl of Brophy Prep 2017 (Aim High Elite)
5’10 CG Sam Legleu of Nogales HS 2018 (Tucson Spartans)
6’4 PF Buka Mbegu of Central HS 2017 (Aim High Elite)
*6’0 CG DJ McNeal of Agua Fria HS 2018 (AZ Venom)
6’6 PF Josh Patterson of Liberty HS 2018 (Relentless)
6’5 CF Connor Ray of Liberty HS 2018 (Relentless)
6’0 CG Eddie Sabinbona of Elite 1 Prep Post Grad (Elite 1 Prep)
5’8 PG Mikey Silva of Sunnyside HS 2017 (Tucson Spartans)
5’11 CG Derek Williams of Tucson HS 2018 (Powerhouse Tucson 2018)
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