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SPECIAL EDITION of AREA & STATE REPORT II

By: Jeff Meadows

Arizona’s class of 2014 "PLAYER SPOTLIGHT"

When you’re 6’11, VERY ATHLETIC, RUN THE FLOOR WELL, BLOCK SHOTS, and REBOUNDS WELL and CAN SCORE EFFECTIVELY FROM THE POST, you would be almost certain to receive a college basketball scholarship to some college (if not offered by most) and Isaac Allen out of Mesa HS is all of those things I described. Isaac has STEADILY IMPROVED over the past four years and continues to improve. I look for Isaac to have a very productive season this year and to have a national coming out party this upcoming spring & summer. Isaac is currently ranked #61 in Hoopsreport’s class of 2014 National Player Rankings. 6’9 (PF) Elston Jones out of Millennium HS HAS ARRIVED! Elston had his coming out party this past September at the FULL COURT PRESS ALL-FROSH/SOPH CAMP where Elston made the Top 20 All-Star game and got the attention of top national scouts. Elston has a COMPLETE OFFENSIVE GAME to go along with great footwork and knowing how to use his body and position himself near the basket, makes him a rare commodity. I’m really looking forward to seeing what kind of season Elston has this year as he makes his run at the top spot in Arizona’s class of 2014. This next prospect (like Kodi) came out of nowhere and burst on to the scene this past fall when he participated in Chad Groth’s Areacodes ALL-FROSH/SOPH SHOWCASE where this young prospect PUT IN MAJOR WORK ALL DAY LONG and a couple of weeks later, he had another going showing, this time at the top freshman/sophomore camp in the west coast the FULL COURT PRESS ALL-FROSH/SOPH CAMP where he made the Top 40 All-Star game, hence is why 6'7 (W) Jose Bussamonte out Peoria HS is now rated a top 5 prospects in the state of Arizona’s class of 2014 by Hoopsreport. Bussamonte has all of the tools that could make him a HIGH MAJOR RECRUIT AS WELL AS a NATIONAL TOP 100 PLAYER IN HIS CLASS, the only thing that Bussamonte lacks that his four counterparts have is the EXPERIENCE OF PLAYING IN BIG TIME NATIONAL CAMPS and PLAYING ON THE NATIONAL SPRING and SUMMER CIRCUIT. I will be watching Bussamonte closely this upcoming season as I EXPECT for him to continue his improvement. Next up is a YOUNG TOP PROSPECT who was literally an UNKNOWN until last July when Hoopsreport covered the 4^th of July "SUMMER SIZZLE" where this young prospect averaged 32pts a game and single handedly took his team the 17U Division semi only to fall short to a loaded Las Vegas Prospect team and the rest history, his name: Kodi Justice out of Dobson HS. Kodi is a 6’5 (PG) who possesses a NATURAL FEEL FOR THE GAME. Kodi is a MAJOR THREAT FOR OPPOSSING DEFENSES WITH OR WITH OUT THE BALL DUE TO HIS UNLIMITED RANGE and with the ball, there’s no difference due to his EXCEPTIONAL BALL HANDLING ABILITY, SPEED and QUICKNESS. For now, Kodi is my choice as Arizona’s top prospect in the class of 2014 and with this class being as good as it is, the question becomes, can Kodi remain at the top? And if so, For long? Kodi has verbally committed to Arizona State University and is also ranked #34 in Hoopsreport’s 2014 National Player Rankings. 6’2 (PG) Casey Benson out of Corona Del Sol HS has been playing at a HIGH LEVEL FOR QUITE SOMETIME NOW and out of the 5, Casey had the best HS season last year. Casey is a very solid (PG) who offensively, takes what the defense gives him and defensively, he’s able to stay in front of the opposing player. If there’s any knock on Casey, it’s that I have yet to see him perform at a TOP NATIONAL CAMP OR TOURNAMENT which is what I’m waiting to see before CONSIDERING giving him the nod as the top prospect in Arizona’s 2014 class.  

Arizona’s class of 2015 "PLAYER SPOTLIGHT"

If you haven’t heard of him before, now you have, 6’3 (G) Jalayn Jenkins out of Mesa HS is Hoopsreport’s UNANIMUS choice as the TOP PROSPECT IN THE CLASS OF 2015 IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA. Jalayn is a SPECIAL PLAYER who can score with the best of them, plays big in big games, locks down on defense and is very athletic. Jalayn has the on court presence of an older more mature player which he has consistently displayed each time that I’ve watched him play. Jalayn is a HIGH MAJOR PROSPECT and I would be very surprised if he is not able to hold his current position as the top prospect in his class. 6’4 (W) Dakota Kordsiemon out of Catalina Foothills is a VERY SKILLED, RUGGED, STRONG and ATHLETIC TOP PROSPECT who have played well in every event that I’ve watched him play for the past two years. Dakota has big game experience as he’s constantly participating in top national events which in my opinion, is largely the reason for his continued improvement. I’m going to enjoy watching the devolvement of this young TOP PROSPECT OVER THE NEXT 4 YEARS. 6’2 (PG) Chris Akemili out of North Point HS had his coming out party at Chad Groth’s "Phoenix Fall Showcase" where Chris caught my attention by displaying very good QUICKNESS, COURT VISION, COURT AWARNESS and the ABILITY TO GET TO THE BASKET AT WILL. Chris has SUPERIOR (PG) SKILLS and is sure to have a very productive freshman season. 6’4 VERY ATHLETIC (W/F) Felipe Valasco out of Mesa HS (like a couple of the others) introduced himself to the basketball community this past fall by playing very well at Chad Groth’s "ALL-FROSH/SOPH SHOWCASE" where Felipe displayed EXEPTIONAL ATHLETICISM by frequently finishing with THUNDEROUS DUNKS THROUGHOUT THE SHOWCASE. Felipe is a talented young prospect but in order for him to remain a top 5 prospect in Arizona’s class of 2015 he MUST improve areas of his game. Last but not least is the 5’11 (PG) Trey Hoebee out of Sunrise Mt. HS. Trey is a QUICK, FAST, TOUGH, HARDNOSED, ATHLETIC (PG) that possess a very good outside shot as well as being a very good penetrator. Trey’s work ethic and skills will always give him a very good chance at remaining a top 5 prospect in Arizona’s class of 2015 and just like the others; I’m really looking forward to watching Trey’s development over the next four years.     

We hope you enjoyed our AREA & STATE REPORT of Arizona’s class of 2014 & 2015 “PLAYER SPOTLIGHT”. Be sure to stay logged on to Hoopsreport as we will be posting our EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE of the 1^st Annual Adidas Middle School "EXPLOSION" Camp which will be in our EVENT REPORT section as well as our Preseason Top 25 National High School Teams Rankings.