The 2nd Annual GC3 Hoops Spring Warm Up is quickly gaining recognition as one of the premier preseason events for club basketball teams. This year’s showcase drew strong attendance, including national scout Chad Groth of Area Codes, myself representing GC3, and college coaches from programs such as Phoenix College and Nelson University. The event featured a solid pool of talent across all levels of competition, with several standout performances that caught the attention of those in attendance. While the high school action was impressive, what truly stood out to me was the energy, skill, and potential displayed by the younger athletes—especially those at the middle school and grade school levels. It was exciting to see so many promising young players take the court and make their mark. Below are a few of the rising stars who truly stood out during the event:
Claira Begay 2030 Forward Young Hoops
Begay is a promising wing prospect with a well-rounded skill set and intriguing versatility. She demonstrated the ability to be effective both around the basket and on the perimeter, showing comfort scoring inside and knocking down outside shots. Her blend of size, skill, and adaptability makes her a valuable asset on the floor. With continued development, Begay has strong potential and upside to grow into a dynamic two-way player.
Naleiah Bowler 2031 Guard Humble Savage
Bowler is an athletic and explosive guard who thrives in the open floor. Her speed and body control make her a constant threat in transition, where she excels at pushing the pace and finishing strong around the rim. With her ability to change gears quickly and attack downhill, Bowler consistently puts pressure on defenses. Her finishing ability, especially in fast-break situations, adds a valuable dimension to her game.
Arianna Clark 2029 Wing AZ Grind
Clark is a tall, versatile wing prospect with immense upside and untapped potential. With her unique physical tools and developing skill set, she has all the makings of a standout player at the next level. As she continues to grow and refine her game, it’s clear that her best basketball is still ahead of her.
Katelyn Harris 2030 Guard AZ Grind
Clark is a skilled and promising guard prospect with great length and a high ceiling. She has the ability to score at all three levels, create opportunities for others, and make smart plays on both ends of the floor. Her combination of size, skill, and basketball IQ makes her a dynamic presence with significant long-term potential.
Peyton Hatathlie 2029 Guard Young Hoops
Hatathlie is a steady and poised floor general who brings strong ball-handling skills and a high basketball IQ to the court. She does a great job of controlling the tempo, reading defenses, and making smart decisions with the ball in her hands. Her leadership and feel for the game are well beyond her years, and she shows flashes of creativity as a playmaker. With her foundation and natural instincts, Hatathlie has tremendous upside and the potential to become a standout lead guard in the future.
Valeria Illingworth 2030 Post AZ Grind
Illingworth is a highly underrated post prospect with significant long-term upside. At 6 feet tall, she possesses the size and physical presence that immediately stands out, along with the raw tools to develop into a real impact player. With continued growth in her footwork, touch, and overall feel for the game, Illingworth has the potential to become a standout in the post. She’s definitely a name to keep an eye on as she continues to develop.
Maya Millage 2032 Guard Aloha Elite
Millage, the daughter of Scottsdale Community College Head Men’s Basketball Coach Curtis Millage, brings a unique blend of pedigree and natural athleticism to the basketball court. Though her primary sport is soccer, she seamlessly translates her elite-level agility, coordination, and footwork to the hardwood—making an immediate impact. Her defensive tenacity is unmatched; she applies relentless full-court pressure, guarding 94 feet with intensity and discipline. Millage possesses a high basketball IQ, allowing her to anticipate plays, read the floor, and make smart decisions on both ends. Her ball-handling skills are solid, and she uses her quickness and lateral speed to disrupt passing lanes and create transition opportunities.
Lexi Nesland 2031 Guard Aloha Elite
Nesland is a highly intelligent player with an exceptional basketball IQ, which she consistently uses to make smart decisions in fast-paced situations. Her ball-handling skills are advanced for her age, allowing her to control the tempo and navigate pressure with ease. As a true two-way playmaker, she impacts the game on both ends of the floor—facilitating the offense, efficiently converting field goals from all three levels, creating scoring opportunities for her teammates, and actively disrupting the opposing team’s rhythm on defense. What truly sets her apart is her leadership: she’s a vocal presence on the court, constantly communicating, directing traffic, and setting the tone for her team. With her natural instincts, work ethic, and leadership qualities, Nesland has a very high ceiling. If her current trajectory continues, she has the potential to surpass even her talented older sister, Dom.
Angelina Nosie 2029 Guard Desert Stars
Nosie’s game really grew on me. She brings great size to her position, along with a strong basketball IQ and a natural feel for the game. She’s a two-way threat who can score efficiently and defend at a high level, using her instincts and physical tools to make a consistent impact on both ends of the floor.
Mykhal Patten 2029 Guard Desert Stars
Patten is a true gamer—she can flat-out play. Her high basketball IQ and sharp instincts consistently put her in the right place at the right time. Whether it’s making a clutch pass, hitting a key shot, or locking in on defense, she has a knack for making the right play when it matters most. With her poise and feel for the game, she’s poised for a standout high school career.
Zora Vassall 2031 Guard Humble Savage
Vassal is an athletic and dynamic guard with tight handles and the ability to score at all three levels. Her quickness and control with the ball allow her to create space, break down defenders, and make plays in a variety of ways. Whether she’s finishing at the rim, knocking down perimeter shots, or setting up her teammates, Vassal consistently finds ways to impact the game. She’s the kind of player who brings energy and playmaking every time she steps on the court.
Twyla Williams 2028 Guard AZ Grind Williams is a dynamic scorer with the ability to put up points from all three levels—whether it’s knocking down threes, pulling up in the midrange, or finishing at the rim. Her advanced feel for the game and strong basketball IQ allow her to read defenses and make smart decisions with the ball. With her skill set and high ceiling, Williams has all the tools to develop into a high-level prospect. She’s definitely one to watch as she continues to grow and refine her game.
