RELATED: Southwest Camp Top 30 Player Rankings

It was only fitting the Top 20 All-Star Game reserved for the camp’s best performers came down to overtime to decide, because the talent level at the 2024 Southwest Basketball Camp was arguably the most balanced in the camp’s seven-year history. According to camp director Gregg Rosenberg, the Top 20 All-Star game was the best played game ever in the camp’s history in terms of talent level and intensity. The Top 20 game quickly displayed who the camp’s elite talent was, and a group of roughly 15 players out of the approximately 115 showed themselves as true D1 prospects in a time when it’s clearly not easy for a high school player to earn a D1 college scholarship.

According to Rosenberg, the camp was created to showcase players from Arizona who normally don't get an opportunity to be invited to elite summer camps; it was designed for the region’s players to be seen in front of lower level coaches who are looking for quality players for their programs. Players that are serious enough and good enough to play after high school. "Many players will be going to a junior college or to NAIA schools, and it’s important to get them seen in front of college coaches that are able to attend,” Rosenberg said.

After each camper participated in five, running-clock games, 60 were chosen to one of the camp’s three all-star games. A couple of campers who were not necessarily D1 prospects were rewarded for their outstanding play with a Top 20 selection, but once the ball was tipped, it was evident the camp’s elite prospects had separated themselves from the pack. It resulted in a well played game with defense on both sides. The on-ball defense in the closing minutes was good and the game went into overtime. That's when Deshawn Gory, a post-graduate 6-foot-7 wing from Phhoenix Prep in Phoenix, hit a deep 3-pointer in the closing seconds to seal the win for his team, 76-73. Gory finished as one of three players on the winning team to score in double-digits, scoring 15 points.

He was joined in the double-digit scoring column by Adam Hubbard, a 6-foot-4 2025 from AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.) with 17 points and by leading scorer Mason Magee, a 6-foot 2026 guard from Basha (Chandler, Ariz.) with 23 points. Hubbard set the tone for the game by nailing five 3-pointers in the early going, and from that point on, both teams ratcheted up the intensity. Magee is one of the nation’s best point guard prospects in the 2026 class and is sorting offers from Arizona State, Washington State and UNLV with other high majors taking serious looks.

The leading scorer from the losing team with 27 points was Jaylon Dean-Vines, a 6-foot-3 2025 shooting guard who plays for a talented Phhoenix Prep team, including a group of players who will play on the Overtime Elite (OTE) circuit. Dean-Vines is one of the most athletic players in the 2025 national class and at this camp his outside shot was on point. He was excellent in both the half court and in transition. He currently holds offers from Oklahoma, Tulsa, UT-Arlington and Vanderbilt. Elijah Hayeems, a 6-foot-6 2025 forward, and Dean-Vines’ Phhoenix Prep teammate, also netted double figures for the losing club with 13 points.

Magee and Dean-Vines were not only the Top 20 game’s leading scorers, they were deservingly named co-MVPs of the entire camp.

Gerron Graham Jr., a 6-foot-2 2026 guard from Premier Prep (Gilbert, Ariz.) was named the MVP of the Top 40 all-star game.

RELATED: Southwest Camp Top 30 Player Rankings

Ronnie Flores is the national Grassroots editor of www.ebooksnet.com. He can be reached at?[email protected]. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter:?@RonMFlores

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I learned some things from my time in Dallas and here are my three main takeaways:

W.T. White Can Win It All in Class 5A This Year
The Longhorns may have the tallest team not only in Texas, but possibly in the Southwest Region. With a galore of big men and big wings, their length and size cause problems for the majority of teams White plays against. 2025 Isaiah Kalala provides adequate athleticism, mobility and mid-range shooting. 2026 DJ Ogoemeka is 6’11 with a 7’6 wingspan and he alters any shot at the rim and is a problem on the offensive glass. He’s already received high major offers and I can see why. Ben and Jonathan Price are 6’6 twins that jump out the gym and can defend three or four positions in high school. Their contributions go beyond the stat-sheet. Khadim Diongue is a 6’5 wing that’s versatile. I can go on and on with their roster.
The X-factor to me is the backcourt play. Senior Steven Cruz is a fearless shot-taker that’s efficient from three. He produced 18 second half points to lead W.T. White to the win. 2025 Jamison Thrower is a 6’4 guard with some real shot creating and playmaking substance to him. He hasn’t put it all together just yet, but he goes on runs by himself where he breaks the defender down, gets to the rim and generates a clean look for himself or others. Senior Maxwell Chambers is a floor manager and a pesky defender. I like his leadership qualities and he gives a timely jolt to the squad’s energy.

5A is wide open again this year and I believe about seven or eight teams have a chance to win it. The Longhorns are in that mix. They have the pieces, just have to see if the group can peak at the right time.

Buy Stock in Lance Carr
Kimball’s 2025 forward Lance Carr is an interesting one to evaluate. Good size at 6’7, athletic, runs the floor, can shoot it from deep and from the mid-range area. He checks several boxes. He’s not the most physical of players, but I do think Carr's a legit wing-forward prospect with tremendous upside. He was blocking dunk attempts Wednesday night, finishing above the rim and flashed his shooting, making a catch n shoot three from the wing. Carr can sometimes float around in games and I think if he stayed active, he can really make his presence known in games. I’ve seen noticeable improvements in the skill since the fall and he’s going to continue to get better. I think Carr has a chance to blow up this spring and summer.

Kimball Can Be A Dangerous Team Come Playoff Time
Albeit taking the loss, I do think the additions The Knights added to the core they already have, can result in a playoff run. I talked at length about Lance Carr but the addition of senior Lekendric Taylor will add another big that can jump out the gym and be mobile. He didn’t play tonight, but I think once he’s fully integrated and locked in, Taylor can provide a stable interior presence.

2025 Jaylon Dean-Vines is a 6’4’ish wing with a big-time vertical leap and can make deep threes. He’s a prospect that higher-end D1’s have called about. 2025 Rico Aguilar is a steady guard that makes the right play and freshman (2027) Marri Wickware can be a national level prospect if he puts it all together. He's a mismatch wing-forward with adequate perimeter skills. He’s just adjusting to the varsity speed and physicality.

Also to note 2026 Jaylin Hancock and Kayden Gray. This Kimball group is mainly young with 3 seniors generating rotation minutes, but if the young guns step up their play, they can make some noise in the coming weeks.

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