Brophy Basketball – College Alumni
Connor Fitzgerald ’23 – Pomona College (Claremont, Calif.)
In his four years in the Brophy basketball program, including three at the varsity level, Connor Fitzgerald established himself as an accomplished shooter and scorer. His three-point shooting was particularly prolific, and he finished his varsity career with a 42.7% average from behind the arc. Beyond his ability to stretch the floor, Connor brought a competitive spirit and even-keeled demeanor that were equally important to his team’s success. Those traits helped Connor to be at his best in big moments throughout his career. At the start of his junior year, Connor hit the go-ahead three pointer with a little bit more than a minute left on the clock to beat longtime rival Saint Mary’s at the Hoophall West. Later that season, Connor’s defense helped to key a come from behind win over Pinnacle in the 6A Quarterfinals. Connor was named a Premier Region Honorable Mention following his junior year. In addition to his many accomplishments on the court, Connor also tackled a rigorous academic schedule that included more than fifteen Honors and AP classes.
Conner Ivy ’23 – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Prescott, Ariz.)
Over his four-year Brophy basketball career, Conner Ivy was a mature leader who set a tone of excellence and a standard for hard work that served as a terrific example for all of Brophy’s basketball players. On the court, Conner was an incredibly versatile player known for his ability to play multiple positions on the offensive end and affect the outcome of the game on the defensive end. He took particularly pride in his defense, and he adeptly guarded all five positions on the floor. During Conner’s senior year, he led the team in total charges taken, deflections, steals, and blocks while finishing second in overall rebounds. Conner embracing filling the stat sheet with those types of competitive plays was a big part of the 2022-2023 team’s overall success. Not surprisingly, his teammates voted him the Defensive Player of the Year for the 2022-2023 Brophy basketball team. Conner was also selected as a member of the 6A All-Premier Region Second Team. Conner continued his playing career at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Prescott, AZ) where he planned to pursue his goal of becoming a pilot.
Arman Madi ’23 – Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff, Ariz.)
A four-year varsity player, Arman Madi combined dynamic scoring abilities with terrific court vision during his Brophy career. He was a prolific scorer with elite three-point range and led the Brophy basketball team in scoring over his three years as a varsity starter. Yet, at the same time, he was able to use his size and abilities as a facilitator to locate his teammates with pinpoint passes. The most memorable moment of his Brophy career, however, was undoubtedly his 35-foot buzzer beater to win the 2023 6A State Semifinal against Boulder Creek. Dubbed “the Madi Miracle,” the highlight ended up at #3 on ESPN’s Top 10 Plays of the Night and catapulted Brophy into the 2023 6A State Championship game. During Arman’s career, he was named a first team All-Premier Region selection as a sophomore, Premier Region Player of the Year and 1st Team All-6A Conference as a junior, and 1st Team All-Premier Region and 1st Team All-6A Conference as a senior. In addition, Arman was recognized as a member of the 2022 VisitMesa.com Basketball Challenge All-Tournament Team.
Patrick Chew ’22 – Murray State University (Murray, Ky.)
During Patrick’s three years at Brophy, he was one of the top two scorers on the team each year, and he led the team in rebounding as both a junior and senior. That type of offensive production combined with his defensive versatility was a big part of why Brophy’s varsity basketball team went 51-11 with Patrick on the floor over his three seasons. In addition to the team’s overall record, Patrick left an indelible mark as a leader and teammate both within the basketball program and the wider Brophy community. Patrick was named the MVP of the 2021 Father Barry Classic after a 24 point outburst in the semifinals against Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, CA) and a 16 point and 11 rebound performance in the championship versus Jesuit (Sacramento, CA) en route to helping Brophy to win the tournament for a second time in five years. In addition, he was recognized as a member of the 2021 VisitMesa.com Basketball Challenge All-Tournament Team. Patrick was also named to the Premier Region First Team and 6A All-Conference Second Team during both his junior and senior years.
Miles Nash ’22 – Pacific Lutheran University (Tacoma, Wash.) and Illinois Wesleyan University (Bloomington, Ill.)
For three years, Miles was Brophy’s starting point guard, and he was a huge catalyst in two consecutive trips to the 6A state semifinals during his junior and senior years. He was a tenacious defender who loved to pick up opposing guards early and pressure them in the backcourt, and he had a knack for attacking the paint off the dribble and finishing at the rim or kicking it out to one of his teammates for an open shot. That passing ability resulted in Miles leading the team in assists during all three of his varsity seasons. During his senior year, Miles was named to the 2021 Father Barry Classic All-Tournament Team, and he was an All-Tournament Honorable Mention at the 2021 VisitMesa.com Basketball Challenge. Following the season, Miles was named to the Premier Region First Team. In addition to his abilities on the court, Miles was also a superb student, and he was honored with the Scholar Athlete Award at Brophy’s Awards Assembly in April 2022. This Magis Award is bestowed upon one Brophy senior each year who has demonstrated excellence in both academic and athletic pursuits. Following his freshman year at Illinois Wesleyan, Miles transferred to Pacific Lutheran University.
Vance “Trey” Phillips ’22 – Southern Nazarene University (Bethany, Okla.)
One of the most vertically dynamic Brophy basketball players in recent memory, Vance “Trey” Phillips brought Brophy fans to their feet with his play on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he finished alley-oops and fast break opportunities with thunderous dunks, and, defensively, he protected the rim with his shot blocking abilities. Trey’s versatility on both ends of the floor were huge catalysts toward his team’s success. During his senior year, Trey was selected as the MVP of Brophy’s victory over Saint Mary’s in the Hoophall West and as an All-Tournament Honorable Mention at the 2021 VisitMesa.com Basketball Challenge after averaging 14ppg and 8rpg over four games. Following the season, Trey was recognized as a member of the All-Premier Region Second Team. After graduating from Brophy in May 2022, Trey completed a postgrad year at The Winchendon School in Winchendon, Massachusetts where his leadership abilities helped him to earn a role as a team captain. After completing his postgrad year, he signed with Southwest Nazarene University.
Desi Burrage ’21 – Cal Lutheran University (Thousand Oaks, Calif.)
Desi Burrage joined the Brophy basketball program as a junior after spending his first two years of high school at Jesuit High School in Carmichael, California. From the moment that he joined his first practice, Desi set a terrific example for his teammates through his exceptional work ethic, and he became an important team leader during his two years with the varsity team. Desi also had a tremendous impact on team success with his strong shooting. An 83% career free-throw shooter, Desi was often called upon to make pressure free throws late in close games, and he also proved a formidable threat from behind the three-point line. Along with his superb shooting, Desi’s toughness and “team first” approach were hallmarks of his play for the Broncos. He led the team in charges taken during both his junior and senior year. In addition to his offensive abilities, Desi was a superb defender who frequently guarded the opposition’s best perimeter scoring threat. Not surprisingly, he was named the Premier Region Defensive Player of the Year as a senior.
Jaxson Baker ’18 – University of New Hampshire (Durham, N.H.) and University of Central Arkansas (Conway, Ark.)
A prolific shooter from the time that he arrived at Brophy, Jaxson Baker finished off a terrific three-year varsity basketball career with a fantastic senior season. Averaging 13 points and 6 rebounds per game, he provided a scoring mentality and vocal leadership to a team returning only two players with significant varsity playing experience. Throughout his Brophy career, Jaxson performed at his best in some of his team’s biggest games, and that was certainly the case during his senior year as well. In the championship game of the 2017 Father Barry Classic, Jaxson finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds in route to being named to the All-Tournament Team. Perhaps most memorable, however, was his 28 point and 7 rebound performance against Pinnacle on February 2nd, which was capped off by Jaxson’s three-pointer at the buzzer to defeat the eventual state champions 62-60. This shot, made in front of a raucous Hoopcoming crowd of 3,000+, later aired on ESPN’s SportsCenter telecast. Following the season, Jaxson was named to both the Premier Region First Team and the 6A All-Conference First Team. Jaxson graduated from Central Arkansas in 2022, and then transferred to University of New Hampshire to continue his playing career and pursue a graduate degree.
Ian Burke ’18 – Portland State University (Portland, Ore.) and Seattle University (Seattle, Wash.)
Ian was a three year starter for the Brophy varsity basketball team, and he served as one of two team captains during his senior year. A hyper-competitive player, Ian’s floor vision and unselfish style allowed him to make all of his teammates better throughout his four years of Brophy basketball. During his senior year, Ian led the Broncos in all three major statistical categories with per game averages of 16 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists. He had numerous highlights throughout the season including a game-winning assist against Mountain Pointe in the first game of the year and several timely three-pointers late in close games. Ian was named the MVP of the 2017 Father Barry Classic, which Brophy won for the first time since 1981, and a member of the all-tournament team at the 2017 VisitMesa.Com Basketball Challenge in route to helping to lead the Broncos to a 26-2 overall record and a place in the state semifinals. He was recognized as the Premier Region Player of the Year and a member of the 6A All-Conference First Team. A fantastic student, Ian was also recognized as a member of Sports360AZ’s All-Academic First Team. He began his collegiate playing career at Seattle University, and then transferred to Portland State University in the summer of 2019.
Sean Dunn ’17 – Cal State San Marcos (San Marcos, Calif.) and Point Loma Nazarene University (San Diego, Calif.)
Sean started every single game during his two years on Brophy’s varsity basketball team, and at 6 feet,10 inches and 250 lbs. he provided a strong presence on the interior throughout that time period. Opposing players often struggled to attack the basket with Sean providing an intimidating presence at the rim. Highlight games for Sean during his senior year included a 15-point and 15-rebound performance against Liberty and a 16-point and 13-rebound performance against Mountain Ridge. Sean was often at his best when competing against the toughest individual and team competition on Brophy’s schedule. He averaged 9 ppg and 5 rpg during his career at Brophy, earning an Honorable Mention for Division I, Section II his junior year, followed by selection to the Premier Region First Team his senior year. After a year at Point Loma Nazarene University, a Division II school in San Diego, Sean transferred to Cal State San Marcos, a Division II school in the Los Angeles area, to continue his playing career.
Carlos Saucedo ’17 – Graceland University (Lamoni, Iowa) and Mesa Community College (Mesa, Ariz.)
One of Brophy’s best ball handlers throughout his four years in the basketball program, Carlos played for two years on the varsity basketball team. Selected by his teammates to be a captain his senior year, during that final season at Brophy he led the team in free throw shooting percentage at 81.5% and was second on the team in three-point shooting percentage at 42.9%. Carlos was known for making clutch shots throughout his playing career. As a freshman, he hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to defeat Boulder Creek, and as a senior, Carlos hit a jump shot from the elbow against Westview to give Brophy a 50-49 win in a game at Talking Stick Arena. His success in the biggest moments was the result of his tremendous work ethic throughout his career. Following graduation from Brophy, Carlos continued his playing career at Mesa Community College where he scored a career high 20 points against Chandler-Gilbert during his sophomore year. After MCC, Carlos played for Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.
Drew Shear ’17 – Benedictine University (Lisle, Ill.)
During Drew’s two-year varsity career, he exemplified many of the qualities promoted within the Brophy basketball program, including all-out effort, selflessness, and mental and physical toughness. Not surprisingly, his teammates voted him to be a team captain during his senior season. As a senior, Drew was one of the team’s most prolific shooters, knocking down 43.2% of his three pointers while averaging 7.8 points per game. At the conclusion of both his junior and senior seasons, Drew’s teammates voted him to be the recipient of the annual “Toughness Award”. This award recognized Drew’s physical play on both ends of the floor as well as the 38 charges that he took during his two varsity seasons. Drew’s teammates also voted him the 2016-2017 Most Improved Player, which was the result of countless off-season hours spent in both the gym and weight room. At the end of his senior season, Drew received Premier Region Honorable Mention recognition.
Michael Kempton ’15 – Williams College (Williamstown, Mass.)
A 6-foot-10 post player, Michael was a strong contributor to Brophy’s varsity basketball team during his junior and senior seasons. Along with his size and length, Michael’s competitive nature really helped him to become an impact player on the defensive end of the floor by altering or blocking shots and gathering up rebounds. On the offensive end of the floor, he played with a mature feel for the game. He was a very unselfish player and possessed a natural ability to read passing lanes as a facilitator from the post area. In addition to his skills on the basketball court, Michael was also a superb student. Following his four years at Brophy, Michael moved on to Williams College, a perennial Division III title contender. Williams made the Division III national tournament during Michael’s sophomore, junior, and senior seasons, which included a run to the Division III Final Four in 2017. He also helped lead Williams to winning the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) tournament in 2018.
Steven Stanley ’14 – Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff, Ariz.)
Steven Stanley played four years of basketball at Brophy including his last two years on the varsity team. A 6’6″ lefty, Steven’s size and skill set made him a difficult match-up for opposing big men. When guarded by bigger post players, Steven was able to take his defender outside and use his quickness to get to the basket. Conversely, when he was guarded by smaller wings or guards he could post up inside and use his strength and vertical explosion to finish at the rim. With his midrange shooting ability, Steven was also able to score from the free throw line at a high percentage. On the defensive end of the floor, Steven used his length and jumping ability to protect the rim and track down rebounds on the defensive glass. Following his Brophy basketball career, Steven moved on to Northern Arizona University where he earned a spot on the Lumberjacks’ roster as a walk-on in both the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 seasons.
Tim Kempton ’13 – Lehigh University (Bethlehem, Pa.)
Tim Kempton graduated from Brophy as one of the best players in the school’s history. As a sophomore, Tim came off the bench for the 2010-2011 Brophy team that made it to the state championship game before falling to Mountain View. The following season, Tim averaged 16 ppg and 10 rpg, a performance that helped lead Brophy to the state quarterfinals. As a senior, Tim averaged 25 ppg and 16 rpg and was named the 2013 Arizona Preps Boys Player of the Year. After Brophy, Tim followed up a fantastic high school record with a dazzling four-year career at Lehigh University which saw him improve his scoring and rebounding average every single season. In his first season at Lehigh, he was named the Patriot League Rookie of the Year and was a finalist for the Kyle Macy National Freshman of the Year Award. Tim earned the Patriot League Player of the Year Award as a sophomore and junior, becoming just the third player in league history to be named POY twice before his senior season. As a senior, Tim averaged 20.4 ppg and 10.4 rpg and was named one of five finalists for the Kareem-Abdul Jabbar Center of the Year Award and one of ten finalists for the Senior CLASS Award. He finished his career as the all-time leader in career rebounds (1,095) for both Lehigh and the Patriot League. In addition, he finished third in school history and fourth in Patriot League history in career points (2,043). Following his collegiate career, he played professional in Spain, Israel, and Greece.
James Harper ’12 – Chaminade University (Honolulu, Hawaii) and Houston Baptist (Houston, Tex.)
James Harper was a three-year varsity player who left a trail of career highlights with his three-point shooting and dunking. He was a starter on the 2010-2011 Brophy team that finished second at state. During his senior year, he averaged 18 ppg and 6 rpg, and was named to the Arrowhead Classic All-Tournament Team (Thanksgiving) and was the McClintock Holiday Shootout MVP (Christmas). After graduating from Brophy, James went to Division I Houston Baptist where he made seven starts and averaged 4.4 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. Following his freshman season, he transferred to Chaminade University in Hawaii where he earned PacWest All-Academic honors during his sophomore, junior, and senior years. He started 12 games as a sophomore, 22 as a junior, and 16 as a senior, finishing with career averages of 7.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, and a 41.3% 3-point field goal percentage.
Sai Tummala ’11 – Hawaii University (Honololu, Hawaii), Arizona State University (Tempe, Ariz.), Salt Lake Community College (Salt Lake City, Utah), and University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
Sai Tummala was a three-year varsity player at Brophy who averaged 17.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg, and 2.2 bpg as a senior, helping to lead the Broncos to the 2011 5A state title game. He was named first-team all-Metro, first-team all-Fiesta Region, and first-team academic all-state following his senior year. After a highly successful prep career, Sai started his collegiate career at Michigan where he redshirted during the 2011-2012 season. He then spent one season at Salt Lake Community College where he was a third-team NJCAA All-American and first-team all-region pick for the 2012-2013 season, averaging 14.8 ppg and shooting 41% from the 3-point line. From there he moved to Arizona State University for the next two seasons before completing his playing career at University of Hawaii. In his lone season at Hawaii, Sai averaged 6.3 ppg and 2.9 rpg while shooting 39.4% from the 3-point line. He helped Hawaii win the Big West regular season title as well as the conference tournament. After making the NCAA tournament as a No. 13 seed, Hawaii upset No. 4 California 77-66 in the first round before losing to No. 5 Maryland.
Ryan Milne ’10 – Colorado College (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
Over his three-year varsity career at Brophy, Ryan Milne was the very definition of a high school point guard. He was a vocal leader who used his exceptional quickness, ball handling skills, and passing abilities to set-up his teammates for scoring opportunities. In addition, Ryan stretched the defense with his shooting ability and deep range. He was an honorable mention all-region and all-state selection as a senior when he led the team in assists and steals and was named the team’s MVP by his teammates. In addition, he was an all-tournament selection during both the Arrowhead Classic (Thanksgiving) and McClintock Holiday Shootout (Christmas). Ryan went on to have a fantastic career at Colorado College where he was named the conference Newcomer of the Year as a freshman and was a first-team all-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference selection during his sophomore, junior, and senior years. By the end of his four years at Colorado College, he ranked fifth in all-time career points (1,575), second in assists (458), fifth in steals (143), sixth in 3-point field goals made, and fourth in games played (101).
John LaVanway ’10 – Trinity University (San Antonio, Texas)
John played on Brophy’s varsity basketball team during his junior and senior years and helped provide a physical presence inside. During his senior season, he helped lead the Broncos to a top-15 finish in 5A – Division I. Post-high school, he played four years at Trinity University in Texas where he averaged 3 ppg and 4 rpg as a senior.