The Hidden 20 Exposure Showcase was a hit today with nearly 100 student athletes competing in front of numerous college coaches (Eastern Arizona, Phoenix College, Glendale College, Scottsdale College, Arizona Western, Nelson College, Justice College, Salt Lake City College, Southern Nevada College, Park University, and Ottawa University) as well as local scouts Jason Fleegle (Fleeezeee), Cedric Cobb (Prep Hoops) and national scouts Dinos Trigonis (Pangos American Camp), Chad Groth (Area Codes), Lew Roberts (Big City Hoops), Ronnie Flores (Ball is Life/Cal-Hi Sports), and myself (GC3 Hoops).
Since the other scouts will most likely write up the top performers regardless of class, I decided to navigate a different angle and cover the 2025s who are under the radar sleeper prospects that JUCOs, small colleges, and d2s may want to put on their radar. Here are the few that caught my attention:
Janessa Barcello 5’11 F Sandra Day O’Connor (AZ)
Barcello is a versatile and athletic forward who leverages her physical attributes to excel in multiple facets of the game. Her size and athleticism make her a strong presence in the paint, where she excels in shot-blocking, rim protection, and securing rebounds. Offensively, she demonstrates a strong finishing ability around the rim, using her agility and strength to score effectively. In addition to her inside game, Barcello is capable of hitting mid-range jump shots. A tremendous forward with solid upside. I expect her to help her team make a deep playoff run and defend their 6A State Title.
Victoria Ballard 5’5 G Cesar Chavez (AZ)
Ballard is a dynamic and agile slashing guard known for her exceptional finishing skills. Her athleticism allows her to drive aggressively towards the basket, where she displays a remarkable ability to convert challenging shots and navigate through defensive traffic. Ballard leverages her high basketball IQ and rapid reflexes to excel as a tenacious defender, often disrupting opponents’ plays with her persistent on-ball pressure and quick lateral movements. Despite flying under the radar, she possesses significant potential and upside.
Cecillia Burrell 5’5 G Nogales (AZ)
Burrell is an exceptional combo guard with significant potential and a sharp basketball IQ. Her ball-handling skills are precise and controlled, allowing her to navigate defenses effectively and create scoring opportunities. She excels as a three-level scorer, demonstrating the ability to score efficiently from beyond the arc, mid-range, and at the rim. Defensively, Burrell is reliable, showing a solid understanding of defensive schemes and the ability to disrupt opponents’ plays. Her decision-making on the court is consistently sound, as she consistently makes the right play in various situations. Burrell will turn heads and I expect her to be a big part of the Lady Apaches deep playoff run.
Michelle Kogbara 5’10 Post Peoria (AZ)
Kogbara is a dominant presence in the paint, excelling in defensive and offensive rebounding, as well as scoring close to the basket. Her exceptional strength and surprising athleticism make her a formidable challenge for opponents. On defense, she effectively protects the rim and deters opposing players from scoring in the paint. Offensively, her power and agility enable her to finish plays strongly around the basket, making her a key asset in the low post. Kogbara’s physical attributes and ability to utilize them in both defensive and offensive situations make her a significant problem for her opponents.
Kamara Moss 6’0 Post Sandra Day O’Connor (AZ)
Moss is an impressive post prospect with considerable size and potential. She excels at rim protection, effectively deterring opponents from scoring near the basket. Her rebounding skills are solid, as she consistently secures boards on both ends of the court. Offensively, she demonstrates the ability to score efficiently in the paint, using her size to her advantage. Remarkably nimble for her stature, Moss combines agility with her physical presence, which enhances her effectiveness in various situations. Given her promising attributes and current performance, it is anticipated that her recruiting stock will continue to climb.
Marianna Vega 5’10 W Cibola (AZ)
Vega is an emerging prospect with significant untapped potential. As a versatile slasher, she excels both on the wing and in the paint, showcasing strong finishing skills and a knack for effective rebounding. Her ability to drive to the basket and score around the rim makes her a dynamic offensive threat. If she develops her shooting range, particularly from beyond the arc, it will further elevate her game and greatly enhance her recruiting appeal. With these improvements, Vega’s stock is poised to rise.
Kamilyah Williams 5’4 PG Basic High School (NV) Williams stood out as the most athletic and powerful prospect in the gym. Her exceptional physicality and athleticism enable her to effectively lock down opponents defensively, making her a significant asset on that end of the court. Offensively, she excels in both facilitating plays and scoring, demonstrating the versatility of a big guard. As a point guard with impressive size and skills, Williams showcases immense potential and upside. Her ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor positions her as a highly promising prospect with considerable future growth.
