Vail’s Cienega High School defeats Tempe’s McClintock to earn one of six qualifying spots for the Section 7 boys basketball tournament at Arizona Athletic Grounds on June 18, 2025. (Photo by Payne Moses/Cronkite News)

Cache AI, an evaluator tool driven by artificial intelligence, gives players a 0-100 rating based on what they offer as an athlete and person. (Photo by Payne Moses/Cronkite News)

Players on Tucson’s Sahuaro High School’s basketball team watch from the bench against Phoenix’s Arcadia in a Section 7 tournament qualifying game at Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa on June 18, 2025. (Photo by Payne Moses/Cronkite News)

Arizona high schools from across the state competed for six spots in the Section 7 boys basketball tournament on 16 different courts at Mesa’s Arizona Athletic Grounds on June 18, 2025. (Photo by Payne Moses/Cronkite News)

Mesa’s Arizona Athletic Grounds is host of the Section 7 high school basketball tournament for the first time this year. (Photo by Payne Moses/Cronkite News)

MESA – Each coach and team has their needs, but in today’s athletic climate of NIL and revenue sharing, it’s hard to tell an athlete’s value.

One startup online platform is hoping to make that confusion a thing of the past.

Cache AI, an athlete evaluation tool powered by artificial intelligence, was launched on June 6 and its first athletes in the system are participants of the Section 7 high school basketball tournament in Mesa. In April, Section 7 announced Cache AI as its presenting partner for 2025.

“Not only can we help (coaches’) players understand their brand as part of their development … we can help with both NIL value and revenue value,” said Kobi Wu, founder and CEO of Cache AI.

Cache AI is designed to help coaches to identify talent in an unbiased way, with nothing to gain and nothing hidden under the table.

All boys and girls were given a CacheScore, which is a 0-100 rating that is optimized by the tool’s AI-infused algorithm and an accompanying athlete profile with their GPA, social media presence, sport skills and more such as community service efforts. Every player entered with a “pre-generated” profile which they can then improve with their personal input, according to Wu.

The 2025 edition of Section 7 – first introduced in 2019 by Matt King, University of Arizona’s president of basketball operations – moved to Mesa following three years at Glendale’s State Farm Stadium.

If 12 simultaneous basketball games wasn’t enough, Arizona Athletic Grounds allows for 16. With 96 Arizona teams battling for tournament entry over just two days, the chaos may be overwhelming for first-timers but it has license to unfold.

As Section 7 benefits the host venue, hosting partners and the statewide economy, its slogan is undeniably player-first: “Where talent meets opportunity.”

The massive showcase is making efforts to expand its pull even further with the event’s founder, Arizona Basketball Coaches Association, partnering with the Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission.

Wu said she met up with ASEC executive director Nikki Balich in February to discuss the mutual partnership after Balich expressed her belief in the service over the phone.

“(Balich said) ‘I want to do something great for the kids in the tournament,’” Wu said. “And I said, ‘That’s why we’re here.’ That’s why we exist. … We’re athlete-first. We want the kids to have an understanding of their value always. Things shouldn’t just be put upon them.”

Without the burden of curating their overall value, athletes like Jackson Moore of Vail’s Cienega High School can focus on their play.

In the midst of officials blowing whistles left and right, hundreds of fans roaming about and cheering and basketballs taking liftoff on Wednesday, Moore and Cienega punched one of six tickets into the weekend’s Section 7 tournament at Arizona Athletic Grounds.

“To qualify is amazing because we get to play in front of all (these) college coaches, scouts, everything,” Moore, a rising junior, said. “We’ve been in this environment before. We were able to qualify last year, made it, won a game (after) qualifying last year, so it was an amazing experience.”

For Nick Springer, a rising senior at Scottsdale’s Chaparral High School, college basketball is a goal of his. And he has the chance to increase his exposure to college-level coaches this weekend with his team defeating 5A rival Desert Mountain to qualify for the tournament. El Mirage’s Dysart, Tucson’s Salpointe, Phoenix’s Arcadia and Peoria’s Centennial rounded out the Arizona qualifiers.

“I’ll see how the year goes, but (college) is definitely an option,” Springer said.

This year, coaches from 261 universities, including Arizona State, Arizona, Grand Canyon and Northern Arizona, will be in attendance, according to Balich. They already witnessed about 2,200 girls play and, once this weekend concludes, about 3,840 boys.

Just because the NCAA sanctions this event, that doesn’t prevent NAIA coaches, especially local ones, from coming out.

Tyler Ojanen, Ottawa University Arizona men’s basketball coach in Surprise, said he will be present for all five competition days. Though he’s “taking it all in,” Ojanen said he is looking to add a point guard for this upcoming season.

Ben Olesen, a second-year assistant for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, said his team is on the lookout for “bigs” as most of their seven freshmen last season were guard-type players.

In the early years of NIL activation, college programs have witnessed athletes receive money, but money of arbitrary value. As the House v. NCAA case reached an initial settlement on the same day Cache AI launched in Mesa, Wu said she wants to be in on the conversation to aid schools with understanding where NIL funds are streaming from.

Wu added she thought Cache AI’s start would be directed at college athletic directors – with the tool being in direct communication with colleges – and “a few elite high school programs,” but Section 7 came knocking.

Balich said she had conversations about the new tool at a Power Four school three weeks back and the school had a false perception of the service.

“‘(Cache AI) is all biased, right?’ Balich said the school asked her. “Cache AI doesn’t represent any student. They will never represent any athletes. … Cache doesn’t care who picks the students up. They’re just offering the thing. … You know, Kenny (Dillingham) you make the decision.”

The tool has the potential to be a game-changer, according to Balich.

“I know that if people take a look at it and stop thinking that they know everything about AI, and what this could be, dude, this thing’s bomb. This is Nike before Nike,” Balich said.

Besides a free CacheScore, Section 7 participants will have access to the whole tool until a few days after the tournament and the option to continue using it, according to Wu. The key: players aren’t the ones that pay, but rather the schools.

“Players should be able to know how their brand is pacing and they should be able to have control or some transparency in that,” Wu said.

Beginning Friday, 166 high school teams from the following states will compete for sectional glory: Arizona, California, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii and Florida.

Teams will win and teams will lose. Individuals will prove their skill and individuals will perhaps have eyeballs on their craft for the first time.

But with the unique opportunity to develop athletic branding, coaches and players may leave Mesa empowered beyond a significant yet fleeting tournament.

Cesar Chavez boys basketball coach Marcus Wright, who played collegiate basketball at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, said some of his players are considering the next level but need to “match the work ethic and energy level” required.

This scholastic showcase and new tool are designed to spark those aspirations and, more importantly, shine light on life skills.

“Three pillars we are focusing on beyond the CacheScore and CacheValue is financial literacy, community service leadership and the third is brand and career development,” Wu said.

“(Players) are going to get recruited. Yes, that is the focus,” Wu said. “But it’s also for development.”

It’s not exactly the spotlight Shedeur Sanders had in mind.

Just days after being cited for driving 101 mph in a 60 zone—which is apparently his second speeding ticket in less than two weeks—former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders finally broke his silence.

But it didn’t come in a press conference or through a team-issued statement. It came in a softball dugout.

At David Njoku’s Celebrity Softball Game in Eastlake, Ohio, Sanders turned a lighthearted exchange with rapper Doe Boy into something deeper.

“I’ve made some wrong choices,” Sanders said, smiling, but not ducking. “I can own up to it. I learn from them.”

It was a shift in tone—something that felt needed after a rough couple of weeks for Sanders’ image.

Because let’s not sugarcoat it: this isn’t a good look.

Sanders is in the middle of a three-way quarterback competition in Cleveland. He’s a fifth-round pick trying to earn a spot in a room that already includes Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel.

Every rep matters. Every impression matters.

And now, instead of the media focusing on whether Shedeur’s talent will translate to Sundays, the conversation has veered off the road entirely—literally.

More details have been coming out due to court records becoming public. He’s had, not one, but two speeding tickets, and even worse, he missed a court date for one of them. His first ticket, 91 mph in a 65, came on the final day of Browns OTAs. The second, 101 in a 60, happened during rookie orientation.

That kind of pattern raises questions, not just about maturity, but about commitment—fair or not.

As someone who just this week defended Sanders against early OTA overreactions, this is frustrating.

I wrote that we shouldn’t read too much into June minicamp reps. That it was far too early to crown Dillon Gabriel or count out Shedeur Sanders.

But you can’t afford two high-speed citations and off-the-field distractions when you’re still earning a spot.

To Shedeur’s credit, he seems to understand that. And you could see it on his face during the softball game. The smile was there, sure. But so is the weight. This was a young quarterback trying to own it and move forward.

And to be fair, it wasn’t all bad news in Ohio.

Sanders was swarmed by fans, including one young voice yelling, “You’re QB1! Nobody else but you!” Sanders smiled and replied, “I need him to be my motivator.” He laughed, signed autographs, and even knocked in an RBI double—showing off a bit of the two-sport DNA he inherited from his Hall of Fame father.

This is still the same Shedeur Buffs fans remember. The young man who made Colorado football matter again.

But if he wants to win over Cleveland—and win this quarterback battle—he has to prove more than just talent. He has to prove he can be trusted.

Right now, the Browns are saying very little publicly. According to reports, they expect Sanders to “take care of” the tickets. But there’s no doubt the coaching staff is watching closely.

They have to. In the NFL, your off-field decisions matter just as much as your arm strength, availability and accountability.

There’s still time for Shedeur to right the ship. Rookies report to training camp on July 18. Between now and then, Sanders has to show growth—off the field, in the playbook, and in his daily discipline.

One quote won’t erase his two speeding tickets. But maybe, just maybe, it’s the start of a better chapter.

— Want more stories like this? Follow us on X for all things Colorado Football and Basketball. 

The latest first has come to the current era of college football, with name, image and likeness (NIL) reigning supreme.

Now that we’re a quarter of the way through the 21st Century, it’s time to look back at the past 25 years of Carolina basketball.

The UNC basketball program has had some elite talent come through Chapel Hill, making it extremely difficult to name an All-Quarter Century Team. In fact, you probably could identify quite a few players who missed our list but would’ve made the squad for most other college basketball programs.

As difficult as it was, we came up with our team, comprised of 13 players.

How did we decide on 15? Well, we know that Division I programs have 13 scholarships to work with every year, but rosters are typically as many as 15 (with walk-ons). So, we took the liberty in using the spots wisely, as we all know there are more than 15 Tar Heels that could make a strong case to be on this list!

When compiling our roster, we considered several areas. Obviously, you’re not making this squad if you’re not talented, but there are other variables we considered, such as (but not limited to):

-College Production
-Team Success (during their time in Chapel Hill)
-Overall Legacy
-Years Spent at UNC (yes, long-term players benefited more than one-and-dones, but there is at least one exception)

As you probably already expected, this wasn’t an easy task! However, we’ve come up with our team, and we want to hear what you think!

Without further adieu… here’s your UNC Basketball All-Quarter Century Team.

Starters

Point Guard: Ty Lawson (2006-2009)

The point guard position was arguably the toughest to figure out, as both Ty Lawson and Raymond Felton are very strong options to start on this squad.

Lawson gets the edge based on a more decorated resume, as his Consensus All-American nod and ACC Player of the Year Award gave him the edge over Felton, a player who earned three first-team All-ACC selections.

I mean, this is a really good problem to have, even though the choice is a difficult one to make!

Shooting Guard: Wayne Ellington (2006-2009)

You could make the case that the 2009 Tar Heels don’t win the national championship without Ellington. The sharpshooter knocked down 7 of his 10 shots from beyond-the-arc during the Final Four, earning Most Outstanding Player honors.

Ellington was never afraid of the big moment, putting together his best performances in ACC and NCAA Tournament play. He was an NCAA All-Tournament and All-Region selection, and was named to the All-ACC Tournament team on three separate occasions.

When you put on the Carolina blue, you must be ready for the big-time spotlight. Wayne Ellington was more than ready for it.

Small Forward: Harrison Barnes (2010-2012)

Still to this day, Harrison Barnes is the highest-ranked recruit that the UNC basketball program has landed. Fortunately, he lived up to the hype, earning ACC Rookie of the Year honors (becoming the ninth player in program history to do so).

He followed his stellar rookie season up by leading the Tar Heels to the ACC regular-season title, the ACC tournament finals, and the Elite 8 of the NCAA tournament.

Power Forward: Tyler Hansbrough (2005-2009)

Without a doubt, Hansbrough was the easiest pick for this team. The 2008 National Player of the Year, “Psycho T’s” jersey isn’t retired by coincidence: he left the program as the all-time leading scorer and rebounder and led the UNC basketball program to a national championship.

Even considering all the elite players who have worn the Carolina Blue over the years, it’s hard to find a player (or players) with a better college career as a Tar Heel than Hansbrough.

Center: Sean May (2002-2005)

A dominant big man in the post, Sean May is best known for leading the UNC basketball program to the 2005 national title, earning Most Outstanding Player honors for the tournament.

Let’s face it: opposing teams are going to STRUGGLE to out-rebound the duo of Sean May and Tyler Hansbrough!

Reserves (in alphabetical order)

Armando Bacot (2019-2024)

Bacot served as a dominant force for the UNC basketball program during his five years in Chapel Hill. The program’s all-time leading rebounder, Bacot was a double-double machine, playing a major role in the Tar Heels’ trip to the 2022 national championship game.

Sure, he benefitted from having an additional season of eligibility due to COVID. However, you can’t take away from the fact that he was the face of the UNC basketball program during his time on campus, putting together a career for the record books.

Joel Berry II (2014-2018)

From a guy who doubted whether he belonged in Chapel Hill to one who has his No. 2 jersey hanging in the Dean Smith Center rafters, Joel Berry II is a testament to what hard work, loyalty, and dedication can do for you.

Berry developed into an All-ACC caliber guard during his time in Chapel Hill, putting together an outstanding resume to look back on. He played a integral part in the Tar Heels’ national title team in 2017, helping avenge the devastating loss in the finals a season prior. He earned Most Outstanding Player honors for that title run, proving just how valuable he was in guiding the UNC basketball program to another title.

Raymond Felton (2002-2005)

Honestly, you could really mix-and-match with Lawson and Felton at the point guard spot among the starting unit.

Felton was a All-ACC Selection each season he spent in Chapel Hill, taking the reins of the point guard position from the moment he arrived on campus. Consistency was his biggest asset, as he provided consistent presence offensively and defensively. While he could score the basketball, one of his best traits was facilitating the rock, assisting in finding open looks for his teammates to capitalize on.

Joseph Forte (1999-2001)

Forte’s two seasons in Chapel Hill were absolutely brilliant.

As a freshman, Forte was named th ACC Rookie of the Year. He followed that season up by being tabbed as the ACC Player of the Year and a Consensus First-Team All-American, averaging 20.9 points per game while shooting 45% from the floor (including 37.7% from beyond-the-arc).

Among this elite group of talent, Forte might just be the best pure scorer that this team has to offer.

Danny Green (2005-2009)

Green might not have the individual accolades that other on this list have, but he is the definition of what an all-around “glue guy” should be.

In order to be successful as a team, you need guys like Green: someone who is willing to do whatever the team needs to succeed. This shows in his overall stats as a member of the UNC basketball program, as he is the only player in Tar Heel history to record 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 250 assists, 150 threes, 150 steals, and 100 blocks.

Green did anything the Tar Heels needed him to (whether he was coming off the bench of starting), and ended up being a major contributor for the 2009 title team.

Justin Jackson (2014-2017)

The 2016-2017 season for Justin Jackson was one of the best individual seasons we’ve seen from a member of the UNC basketball program.

Jackson took his game to a whole new level, averaging 6.1 more points per-game than he did as a sophomore. He earned the ACC Player of the Year Award and was a Consensus First-Team All-American in a season in which the Tar Heels captured their sixth national title.

Brice Johnson (2012-2016)

Johnson was dominant during his senior season at North Carolina, earning Consensus All-American honors. He finished the season averaging a double-double, setting new career highs in points per game (17), and rebounds (10.4), shooting the basketball at an elite 61.4%.

A two-time All-ACC and All-ACC Tournament honoree, Johnson was your prototypical big man to come through the program during the Roy Williams era. Williams had a knack for easing his big men into action, as the steady growth was evident over their four years with the program.

Johnson saw his role increase each season, ending his college career as arguably the country’s best big man and an eventual first round pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

Kendall Marshall (2010-2012)

Marshall was the best passer to play for the UNC basketball program over the past 25 seasons, setting the program’s single-season assist record of 351. He absolutely crushed the previous ACC single-season mark, a record that was previously set by Craig Neal of Georgia Tech (311 assists).

If it wasn’t for a cheap shot (courtesy of Creighton), the Tar Heels were in a prime position to make a deep NCAA Tournament run. However, Marshall’s fractured wrist derailed the Tar Heels’ title hopes, as they went on to lose to Kansas in the regional finals while their point guard was sidelined.

Marshall became the third UNC basketball player to win the Bob Cousy award, joining fellow All-Quarter Century team selections Felton (2005) and Lawson (2009).

Marcus Paige (2012-2016)

Paige is a guy that UNC basketball fans wish had a better ending to his career. While his acrobatic shot (followed by a heartbreaking buzzer-beater by Villanova’s Kris Jenkins) is a sequenece that haunts us all to this day, Paige was stellar in his four-year career at North Carolina.

A three-time captain, Paige concluded his career with the UNC basketball program ranking No. 11 at in scoring (1,844 points), first in three-pointers made (299), third in steals (203), fourth in free throw percentage (.844) and eighth in assists (602).

Marvin Williams (2004-2005)

Williams was a “one-and-done” in Chapel Hill, but there’s no possible way you could leave him off this list.

Serving as the Tar Heels sixth man (yes, that’s just how good that 2004-2005 squad was!) Williams earned ACC Rookie of the Year Honors. His famous tip-in against Illinois in the national championship game is a play UNC basketball fans remember fondly, capping off his tremendous lone season at North Carolina.

This dude was so good, that he went on to be the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA Draft after not starting a single game at the college level!

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Published 4:00 am Friday, June 20, 2025