MESA, AZ - The youth movement was on full display on Saturday at the Cactus Classic. Who were some of the standouts in match-up and bracket play? We continue our dive into the 2024 and 2025 classes.

Preston Lee, AZ Legacy- The class of 2024 point guard was playing up an age group today and did more than hold his own.  Lee is a strong lead guard that can really quarterback a game.  Works well off the pick and roll and can finish a bucket from all 3 levels.  He has a nice burst on his first step and really competes on the defensive end. 

Archie Graves III, Legion of Hoops- The 2025 lead guard was a straight up floor general in both of his team's victories today.  He is a really good facilitator and playmaker with the ball in his hands and has a real ability to get to the rack.  He gets downhill in a hurry and has a nice change of pace to his game.

Ayden Madi, Uptempo Hoops- The class of 2025 sharpshooter can really get hot from deep.  While you would like to see him get that shot off a little faster and a little more often, when he lets it go it always looks like it’s good.  

Nate Parras, AZ Firestorm 16U- The class of 2024 forward has some stuff to him that coaches at the next level love.  He has length at about 6’7” and has mobility and good feet to go with it.  He finishes good around the rim and has some sneaky athleticism.  Those good feet allow him to be a really versatile defender and switch off screens.  He is not lost defensively out on the perimeter and holds the paint down as a pretty good shot-blocker

Rhyss Walcott, Uptempo Hoops- The class of 2025 combo guard is a straight bucket.  The kid has some mamba mentality in his DNA.  A super competitive kid that seems to thrive off of getting the best of defenders and causing opposing coaches to call for defensive switches.  He gets to the rack with ease and has a strap from the outside.