With the AAU live evaluation period set to begin for NCAA Division coaches on April 21st, many programs have used the first few weekends of April to fine tune their games and rosters alike before they have to begin playing for scholarships. There is fluidity in rosters, rotations change, and different concepts are utilized in early April. With myself being out on the west coast for the NBA Playoffs, it was only appropriate to spend some time at the West Coast Elite Arizona Preview.

Founded by Ryan Silver, WCE is far more than an AAU program (though it is a very successful one in the Under Armour Association). WCE has events all throughout the western part of the states, ranging from high school showcases to AAU previews to live period AAU events. Given the quality of events that WCE has put on over the years along with the massive amount of talent that The Copper State has to offer, the WCE Arizona Preview was a must attend event.

Here are a number of the standouts from the West Coast Elite Arizona Preview:

Cameron Holmes, 6’6, SF, Arizona Unity 16U, 2026
One of the best wings in the class of 2026 nationally, Holmes showed why blue blood programs such as Kansas put scholarship offers on the table for him before he even entered high school. The athletic lefty was an explosive straight line driver, finished with creativity in transition, and appeared much more confident shooting the ball from beyond the arc. Making it even scarier is that he’s likely not done growing, given that his older brother is 6-foot-10 Dayton NBA Draft prospect DaRon Holmes.

Jekhi Gupton, 6’7, SF/PF, Arizona Select 17U, 2023
A player that I wasn’t familiar with going into the event, Gupton showed why he’s going to be an interesting name for college coaches to watch this weekend in the Under Armour Association. The lanky senior is a quick leaper who plays above the rim, is an outstanding cutter, and has the raw talent on the perimeter to break people down. While he’s definitely more of a wing, the versatility that Gupton offers will allow him to play a multitude of positions at the next level.

Brandon McCoy, 6’4, SG/PG, Arizona Unity 16U, 2026
Fresh off of an appearance in the CIF Southern Section title game for FAB 50 ranked St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), McCoy transitioned perfectly to playing against older foes on the AAU circuit at the WCE Arizona Preview. The slender guard used his explosive athleticism to convert above the rim, displayed vision that you’d hope to see out of an emerging combo guard, and changed speeds to continually apply pressure to defense. Having already been invited to a USA Basketball mini-camp, Brandon McCoy has firmly established himself as one of the names to remember for the class of 2026.

Anthony Batson, 6’4, SG, Arizona Select 17U, 2024
An absolute Swiss army knife on the court, Batson brought the type of positional fluidity that you love to see in today’s game. The powerfully built guard was a great finisher in transition, kept a ton of plays alive with offensive rebounds, and defended a multitude of positions. A high academic student athlete, Batson will be attracting attention from no shortage of colleges this weekend at the Under Armour Association.

Jovan Milicevic, 6’9, PF/C, Arizona Unity 17U, 2024
One of the more offensively skilled 2024 bigs on the west coast, Milicevic showed why he’s exactly what college coaches look for in today’s game. The burly big man has picturesque form on his jumpshot, is an outstanding passer, and has an old school craftiness to his game. The Canadian junior was very productive for Dream City International (Ariz.) this past season and should do so again in the EYBL.

Jaion Pitt, 6’8, PF/C, Arizona Unity 16U, 2025
Pitt has shown for a while now that he is one of the most productive bigs in the class of ‘25 and kept that up at the WCE AZ Preview. He used his grown man frame to punish opposing players in the paint, provided a high level of activity on both ends of the court, and punished the rims. Already owning a number of high major offers, the Canadian big man will be the focal point next year for Dream City Christian’s International squad.

Uriah Tenette, 5’10, PG, The Factory 16U, 2025
Setting the gym on fire with his electric style of play, Tenette was the fan favorite of the event at Phoenix’s KROC Center. The lefty guard had the crowd going wild with his two handed ally-oop, easily created separation to get his own shot off, and used his athleticism to convert at the rack. Tenette is the catalyst for a super talented sophomore group at Prescott (Ari.) High School.