After a long break from live scouting brought on by circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, Pro Insight’s Matt McKay, Jr. returned to the trail this past week at Glendale, Arizona’s ‘Section 7’ event, where the Pro Insight team had the chance to evaluate some of the best of the west in high school basketball.
In the latest edition of ‘P.I. Pulse,’ McKay details his trip, shares a glimpse into the state of the company, and outlines some of those who really caught the Pro Insight team’s attention:
Aside from one outlier weekend in which we co-hosted our own exposure event back in October, this weekend’s ‘Section 7’ event in Glendale, Arizona provided my first opportunity to evaluate prospects on such a large scale live since COVID began — and boy, did it feel great to not be squinting at my laptop, streaming another slew of games.
Since I last hit the trail pre-pandemic in March 2020, things at Pro Insight looked a bit different: we were still in our infancy as a company; the brand was still taking shape; we had no clue that the world was about to shut down and that we’d be forced to get creative in order to evolve; we had certainly never heard of Zoom.
That particular week, I had the chance to cover multiple conference tournaments as well as become familiar with some top up-and-coming Vegas prospects via private workouts. Getting familiarized with guys like 2022s Milos Uzan and Chris Dockery, 2023s Sebastian Mack, Osiris Grady, and DJ Fizer, and 2024 prospect DJ Thomas made myself and our senior recruiting analyst Tyler Glazier increasingly aware of the talent-laden pipeline in Nevada.
It came full circle this past weekend as Tyler and I watched all six of those guys show well in Glendale at Section 7.
15 months in between scouting trips, and just as every one of those players has evolved into the national recruiting conversation, Pro Insight has followed suit: we’ve increased the quantity of our staff into double-digits and have provided global event coverage; we’ve expanded our focus from simply grassroots into covering the NBA draft, as well; we’re approaching 30 clients, working with some terrific NCAA and NBA teams; we’re reaching over 3 million screens per month across our social channels; and most importantly, through our Q&A series, we’ve used our platform to share the stories of over 100 amateur prospects around the world, spanning every region in the U.S., as well as nearly 25 countries.
With that, let’s jump into some of the the prospects that caught our eye this past weekend in Glendale:
Class of 2022
Chris Dockery | Guard | Cathedral/Middlebrooks (CA)
Dockery’s combination of length, backcourt positional size, and fluid body mechanics immediately popped on the court. He gets up and down the floor gracefully, defends multiple positions, and is an intelligent facilitator. Thanks to his tools, Dockery excelled in the open court and did an excellent job making decisions with the ball on the move. We walked away pleasantly surprised by his baseline perimeter skill-set and expect him to pick up a few more offers based on his play throughout the weekend.
Jaxon Kohler | Big | American Fork (UT)
It’s easy to take Kohler for granted at this point. The 6’9 throwback post player has been so skilled for so (seemingly) long, that his ability to create something out of nothing on offense unfairly goes overlooked and under-appreciated. There’s no one at the high school level that can guard Kohler one-on-one in the post — his footwork, touch and creativity are all too good. He was up to his usual productive self this weekend in Glendale and a recent Oklahoma offer might indicate that the big fella’s recruitment will continue to gain national esteem.
Shane Thomas | Guard | Durango (NV)
Thomas was one of the most pleasant surprises of the event. A hard-nosed, tough, defensive-minded perimeter player that knocks down open shots, this 2022 guard helped himself about as much as any prospect in attendance. Thomas’ game begins with his great effort and activity level on both ends. He’s never standing still on O, and will never point the finger on D as he’s always in the middle of the action, rarely missing a loose ball or an opportunity to contest a shot. At this event, he solidified himself as a rock solid 2022 recruit. He’s made a significant jump since attending our event in October.
Milos Uzan | Guard | Desert Pines (NV)
One of the more “big ticket” names at Section 7, Uzan consistently drew large crowds of NCAA coaches throughout the event. A knack for building instant chemistry with teammates, Uzan does an excellent job of running a free flowing offense while maintaining discipline. He thrives at making quick reads on the break or taking his time to pick defenses apart in PnR. Uzan is also efficient at making and converting on correct reads when it comes to scoring or passing. Uzan holds a handful of high-major offers, but that number is likely to increase after this weekend's showing.
Class of 2023
Kylan Boswell | Guard | Corona Centennial (CA)
Fresh off a big performance against Sierra Canyon in the CIF southern section open division title game, Boswell continued his impressive play at Section 7. It was our first look at the 2023 combo guard and he didn’t disappoint in any way, shape or form. At 6’3” with a physically mature frame, Boswell was efficient using his body to get to his spots, finishing through contact, and knocking down open looks. Aside from his natural skillset, Boswell’s poise and high BBIQ also popped on the court. Overall, Boswell was one of the more impressive prospects at the event and is one of the top 2023 recruits on the entire west coast.
Sebastian Mack | Guard | Durango (NV)
Son of longtime NBA journeyman Sam Mack, the 17-year-old rising junior is really starting to come into his own as a player, himself. Wired to score and make things happen on offense, Mack doesn’t need any help generating buckets thanks to his sturdy frame, functional athleticism, wiggle with the ball, ability to create separation, creativity and confidence as a scorer, and range shooting. If Mack can approach anywhere close to his father’s height (6’7), it will be a scary sight for opponents and a welcomed bonus for his recruitment; which has already reached the national level.
Jared McCain | Guard | Corona Centennial (CA)
The best high school team in California is more than just a one-man show in Kylan Boswell. Options 1A and 1B toggle between KB and Jared McCain. Listed at 6’2, but he plays much bigger due to his strong trunk, huge hands and elite body control as an athlete. Throughout the event, McCain displayed his functional athleticism, was a ballhawk on D, and a consistently smart decision-maker on O. It’s early in our group’s evaluation process, but it was difficult to avoid the Malcolm Brogdon vibes from this 2023 two-way impact combo guard.
Jace Posey | Guard | Strake Jesuit (TX)
Posey was another 2023 prospect who caught our attention at Section 7. At a big 6’3” with room to grow in addition to a plus-wingspan, Posey has the necessary physical tools to succeed at the next level. As a combo guard, Posey was efficient at getting to the basket off the dribble or via his activity as a slasher throughout the event. Posey is also an above-average athlete due to his quick first step and vertical pop. The son of former NBA champ James Posey is one to keep an eye on in Texas as he has a solid blend of translatable traits.
Andrej Stojakovic | Wing | Jesuit (CA)
Stojakovic came into the weekend relatively unknown, but finished as one of the most intriguing prospects in the building. The 6’6 wing showcased all of his skill set, showing ability to score at every level, including the ability to take advantage of smaller guards in the post. He spent the majority of the weekend playing on the ball as a PG, highlighting his comfort in the backcourt against pressure. Stojakovic plays the game the right way — he sets up teammates, can run an offense, and has an ability to get to his spots and raise up when he wants. Given his development and growth over the last 12 months (growing nearly six inches since his freshman season), the sky certainly seems to be the limit. As he continues to fill out and gain experience, he’ll have a chance to become a priority recruit in the 2023 class.
Keyon Kensie | Wing | Compton (CA)
Kensie was one of the more intriguing long term prospects that we were able to catch at Section 7. Passing the eye test at 6’7” tall with a balanced frame, fluid body mechanics, and a budding perimeter skillset, Kensie stands out as a high-upside prospect with some elite natural tools to work with. Only a rising junior, Kensie is at the right stage of his development to take the next step. Keep an eye out for him to generate more college interest in the near future.
Dusty Stromer | Guard | Notre Dame (CA)
Stromer was perhaps the biggest stock-booster of the entire event. At 6’7” with a long/wiry frame, Stromer possesses an ideal blend of athleticism, shooting touch, and on-ball skills to get buckets for both himself and his teammates at the next level. He also did an excellent job covering ground off the ball as well as bringing energy and toughness as a defender. The 2023 prospect picked up an offer from USC before the event concluded and more schools will likely follow suit. A name to remember on the west coast.
Class of 2024
Isaac Davis | Forward | Hillcrest (ID)
Davis was a player that our group had heard a lot about, but we’d never had the opportunity to catch him in person prior to Section 7. At 6’7” with a very physically mature frame, Davis immediately passes the eye test as a 2024 prospect. Throughout the event, he did a good job playing within himself and not forcing the issue even when touches could be sparse. A man-child in the post, Davis was a handful both on the glass and the low block. He also impressed with his baseline feel as a facilitator and creator as well as his upside to stretch the floor in the near future. While the majority of his recruitment is currently centralized around Idaho and Utah, expect him to continue picking up high major offers over the coming years.
John Paul Mobley, Jr. | Guard | Bishop Gorman (NV)
Bishop Gorman was one of the more talented squads at Section 7 in big part thanks to the supremely talented 2024 combo guard John Paul Mobley, Jr. The Ohio native moved out to Las Vegas at the start of last season and has wasted little time making a name for himself out west. Mobley is an absolute sniper who isn’t afraid to launch from deep. His efficient and quick shot mechanics allow him to shoot an easy ball from well beyond the three-point line. Couple that with a shifty handle, elite dexterity and the ability to finish in the lane with touch and creativity, and Mobley does not make life easy for defenders. One of the more entertaining 2024 prospects in the country.
Jase Richardson | Guard | Bishop Gorman (NV)
Watching the young Richardson play, you might not immediately deduce that he’s the son of one of the greatest vertical athletes in NBA history, but it’s evident he’s the son of a pro. There’s an advanced nuance and pace to Richardson’s game that really jumps off the page. His ability to toggle between table-setter and bucket-getter really stands out. Gorman was playing him more on the ball this past weekend and Jase looked completely up for the challenge, despite being 2-3 years younger than some of his opponents. Throughout the weekend, this tough and cerebral prospect didn’t hesitate making his presence felt offensively any time he was on the court. Equipped with a deeper bag than most 2024 prospects, Richardson frequently made the game look easy by taking what the defense gave him. Aside from three-level scoring chops, Richardson’s fearlessness as a driver and overall competitiveness were encouraging to see.
DJ Thomas | Guard | Liberty (NV)
Thomas didn’t show anything at Section 7 that he hadn’t already displayed in the past. In fact, this was far from the best I’ve seen the freshman PG play. But even when things aren't completely clicking for him, the floor is still quite high. The ultimate floor general with a maturity well beyond his years, Thomas projects to be the complete package as a lead handler. A bad shot for his team is essentially a foreign concept and he’s just as much of a threat to thread the needle as he is to hit three in a row from 25 feet. Something is brewing in Vegas with a number of talented underclassmen guards on the rise and the conversation begins with DJ, the son of former UNLV legend Dedan Thomas, who ranked second in the NCAA in assists per game in 1992-93.
Jamari Phillips | Guard | Modesto Christian (CA)
Yet another 2024 combo guard that stood out this past weekend was Modesto Christian’s (CA) Jamari Phillips. He brings a sturdy frame to the backcourt and leverages his plus-length to his advantage. Though a relatively small sample size, he seemed more effective off the ball in this environment vs. on the ball, but just calling him ‘effective’ as an off-guard would be an understatement. Phillips has sniper-level upside as a shooter and seemingly limitless range. He has upside as a plus-defender, as well, and displayed all-around functional athleticism in Glendale. Everyone needs a shooter and in the class of 2024, it might not get much better than this.
Class of 2025
Bryce Cofield | Guard | West Ranch (NV)
Cofield showed immense promise as an incoming freshman this weekend. Despite his youth, his physical composition is what stands out immediately — he’s got a mature, physical frame paired with good size and length. He showcased his ability to slash and get to the rim, move without the ball, knock down open shots, and play above the rim. Definitely a prospect to monitor down the road.
Elzie Harrington | Guard | St. John Bosco (CA)
Harrington is a name to remember in the class of 2025. Participating with St. John Bosco (CA) at Section 7, Harrington stood out due to his poise, tight handle, shot diversity, positional size, and overall versatility. While he’s still only entering his freshman season, Harrington has an ideal blend of production and potential that makes him one of the more interesting long term prospects on the west coast.
Koa Peat | Forward | Perry (AZ)
One of the few incoming freshmen in attendance, Peat was one of the top names for college coaches to get an early feel on. At 6’8” with a thick frame, Peat does an exceptional job generating space and finishing through contact. Peat also showcased his ability to put the ball on the floor, facilitate in PnR, and knock down shots off the bounce. A rare combination of size and skill-set, Peat is currently projected by many as the top 2025 prospect in the country. His list of offers continues to grow as he picked up offers from Kansas and Texas Tech over the weekend.
Commentaires