Vegas offered an early look at what Arizona’s top programs are bringing into the season. From established names carrying bigger responsibilities to emerging contributors making their presence felt, there was plenty to take away from the state’s teams.
Tigers (Millennium, AZ)
The Tigers' backcourt has real talent and wants to attack. Their guards break defenders down off the dribble, get into the paint, and make the extra pass to open shooters. Shot-making at all three levels gives them several ways to score. They also compete hard on defense, with guards who take pride in guarding the ball and get the stops that decide close games.
Adan Diggs - Class of 2027 / Combo Guard
Diggs is a true three-level scorer who can carry an offense. He shoots it with range off the catch and off the dribble, and his step-back creates clean separation even against length. His hesitation and change of pace get him to his spots in the mid-range, and he's athletic enough to finish above the rim in traffic. He reads help defense well and makes the right play when the defense loads up on him. He also brings a competitive edge and takes over when the game is on the line.
Trey McKinney - Class of 2028 / SF
A versatile scorer who can score inside and out. He can knock down perimeter shots and also score with his back to the basket, which creates mismatches. He reads cutters well as a passer, and he plays with toughness, diving on loose balls and staying attached to scorers on the perimeter.
Gabe Coronado - Class of 2027 / SG
A 6-3 shooting guard with a confident, ready-to-fire stroke, Coronado gives the Tigers a legit perimeter threat next to their high-end creators. He's at his best spotting up and punishing defenses that collapse on the ball, and he's capable of getting hot quickly from three. He has good size for the position and plays within the offense, which makes him a valuable floor-spacer.
Myles Scott - Class of 2030 / CG / SG
Scott already plays with poise beyond his age. His quick first step and tight handle let him break down defenders and get to the rim, and he changes speeds well to keep defenders off balance. He competes on defense, picking up full court and staying in front of the ball. He can also space the floor from the wing. As his frame fills out, his ceiling will keep rising.
AZ Compass Prep
Compass is built on high-end length, athleticism and wing talent. They want to defend, turn you over, and get out in the open floor, where they play above the rim and put a ton of pressure on the basket. Their size and length across the frontline let them dominate the glass and erase mistakes on the back end, and their best players can create on their own when things break down. When they're sharing it and getting stops, very few teams in the country can match their talent.
Demarcus Henry - Class of 2027 - SF
One of the elite wings in the country, and you can see why every time he touches it. At 6-7 with a long frame and a 6-11 wingspan, he's a lefty who gets downhill in a hurry, covers ground in a stride or two, and finishes through and around bodies with real body control. He's a natural scorer in transition and attacking closeouts, and his length makes him disruptive on the other end. He's got high-major tools across the board with a pro-level ceiling.
Zion Green - Class of 2027 - PF
Green is a long, active 6-9 forward who makes his living around the basket. He plays above the rim, runs the floor hard, and does a lot of his damage on lobs, put-backs and second-chance plays. His motor and athleticism give him a high floor right now, and his versatility to play either forward spot is what makes him so attractive at the high-major level.
Kur Lual - Class of 2027 - SF
Lual is a big, long wing-forward who plays hard and gets to the rim. He runs the floor, finishes in transition, and uses his size to score on drives. He's an athletic, physical forward with real utility on both ends.
Jimmie Haywood III Class of 2027 -SG
A 6-3 guard who's comfortable playing off the ball. He moves well without it, can hit shots off screens, and keeps it moving. He's a valuable complementary guard who spaces the floor next to Compass's high-end talent.
Sunnyslope Vikings (Phoenix, AZ)
Sunnyslope is about as disciplined and connected as it gets at the high school level. Everything runs through their big man at the high post and on the block, and the guards around him know exactly how to play off of him by cutting, relocating and spacing the floor the right way. They're patient in the half court, take good shots, and don't beat themselves. Defensively they're gritty and talk on every possession, and they win the effort plays and loose balls that swing tight games. It's a well-coached group with a culture you can see from the opening tip.
Darius Wabbington - Class of 2027 - C
One of the best passing big men in the country, the 6-11 Indiana commit is the engine of everything Sunnyslope does. He sees the whole floor from the post, punishes double-teams, and puts the ball right where his cutters need it. He has polished footwork, uses shot fakes to get defenders off their feet, and can finish with either hand around the rim. He has clearly transformed his body, and he's a vocal leader who directs traffic on both ends. He's a skilled, cerebral big with real high-major value.
Delton Prescott - Class of 2027 - PG
A quick, crafty guard, Prescott knows how to play off a dominant big. He has a soft floater in the lane, he's a reliable catch-and-shoot threat when he's given space, and he's a sharp off-ball cutter who can finish with creativity at the rim. He's a confident scorer who carries a big part of the offensive load.
Donovan Palmer - Class of 2028 - PF
A 6-8 frontcourt piece with a Weber State offer, Palmer embraces the dirty work and makes winning plays without needing touches. He plays well off of Wabbington, sealing and cutting to the rim for easy finishes, and he's active on the offensive glass. Defensively he has good awareness and hands in the post. He has a strong, ready-made frame for his age, and there's real upside as his skill game develops.
Coverage note: Evaluations are based solely on games I watched at Border League. Teams and players are featured in no particular order. This article is not a team ranking or a list of each roster’s best players.
