AAU basketball: Arizona Power takes over Arizona Magic
Arizona Power Basketball Academy has taken over the Arizona Magic, making it the biggest AAU basketball program in the state.
The hope is to secure a major shoe sponsorship that in the future will keep players like Markus Howard, Carlos Johnson, Marvin Bagley III, Alex Barcello, KJ Hymes and Marcus Shaver from leaving the state to play in national showcases.
Anthony Ray, who has run the Magic for almost 20 years, will keep arizonapreps.com, and concentrate on reporting and scouting Arizona basketball prospects.
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"It's an exciting day," said Jeff Becker, who runs Power. "These guys represent Arizona the right way."
Becker said this merger has been in the works for a few weeks.
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"It came down to what is in the best interest of the kids and for the state," Becker said. "We're trying to get Arizona back on the map, give them exposure not only locally and in the Southwest, but nationally."
With the takeover, Power will have teams not only in Arizona, but in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Alaska and Canada.
It was not disclosed how much it cost the Power to have the Magic merge.
"For me, Arizona basketball has been in disarray for a number of years," Ray said. "It's been good but never fully great. The reason is you've not had people working together. To me, it's an opportunity to bring together the two best organizations, have them work together and try to do something great for Arizona.
"We don't have a shoe contract. It didn't look like there would be one in the near future. To have a chance at making that happen,we have to put our egos aside and work together."
Becker said that the Power name will remain.
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The hope is to secure a major national sponsorship, such as the Las Vegas Prospects and the Oakland Soldiers have with Nike. The Nike Elite Youth Basketball League brings the top club programs in the nation together to showcase talent in April and July to major college coaches.
It is what lured former Chandler Basha point guard Howard to the Prospects to play against the nation's top talent in front of some of the nation's biggest college coaches. That Prospects club connection also led Howard to Henderson (Nev.) Findlay Prep, where he is playing his final two high school seasons.
Hymes, a 6-foot-10 sophomore at Phoenix St. Mary's, is part of the Prospects' AAU program, which is a feeder to Findlay Prep.
Former Phoenix Shadow Mountain forward Johnson moved to the Bay Area two summers ago after joining the Oakland Soldiers. His recruiting took off, and he is now playing his final season for Findlay Prep after committing to UNLV.
Shaver, a dazzling point guard who led St. Mary's his freshman and sophomore years, transferred to a prep academy in Texas last spring.
Arizona's top two prospects, regardless of classification, are considered to be Phoenix Hillcrest Prep 6-11 sophomore Marvin Bagley III and Tempe Corona del Sol junior point guard Alex Barcello.
Bagley left Corona del Sol before the school year began to play on the new national high school team that also brought in 7-1 junior DeAndre Ayton, a transfer from Balboa City School in San Diego.
Bagley is the No. 1 prospect in the nation in the 2018 class. Ayton is regarded as the No. 1 player in the 2017 class.
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Bagley plays for his dad's club team, Phoenix Phamily. In July, Bagley joined a Nike-sponsored team in Tennessee to showcase his talents to the likes of Kentucky, Louisville, Kansas and Duke, all of which he has scholarship offers.
Barcello played last spring and summer in Adidas tournaments on NBA guard Jerryd Bayless' Adidas-sponsored team based in California. He since joined the Oakland Soldiers.
"There are always going to be more players, guys who are going to get accolades," Ray said. "We want to make sure we keep them home, play for an Arizona team, represent our state.
"We really believe we have quality basketball here. With people fighting and not getting along and working together, it's a mess. My thought was, 'Whatever it took to get guys working together.' I was willing to do it. The Magic, Power. It's a huge beginning. By doing that, we're saying to the state, 'We want something here that people can be proud.' ''
Becker said that Power is in negotiations to get a major sponsorship.
Reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-460-1710. Follow him at twitter.com/azc_obert. Listen to the Which Wich High School Football Preview Show every Friday from 6-7 p.m., on NBC Sports Radio AM 1060 with Dan Manucci and Richard Obert.