MEDIA RELEASE Arizona Middle School State Championship Debuts

December 9th, 2025

Scottsdale, AZ — Arizona basketball is stepping into a new era. United Skills Academy proudly announces the launch of the First Annual Arizona Middle School State Championship, an AAU-sanctioned event that will bring together many of the state’s strongest boys and girls programs to compete for the official title of Middle School State Champion.

This year’s field features some of the most competitive and recognizable programs in Arizona. Early confirmations include gritty, high-motor squads like Valley Rise, the dynamic PHX Firebirds, and fast-emerging developmental programs such as United Skills Academy’s 2032 and 2030 teams, each eager to prove themselves on one of the state’s biggest stages. Additional programs—including the fundamentally tough WILL Trainem, the always competitive AZ Unity, the well-coached Valley Hoops, and the intense and energetic Humble Savage program—are expected to elevate the level of competition throughout championship weekend.

Together, these teams represent the depth, talent, and rising standard of middle school basketball across Arizona.

A State Championship Built for Arizona’s Next Generation

The Arizona Middle School State Championship is more than a tournament—it is a statewide platform designed to elevate competition, strengthen player development, and highlight the next wave of young basketball talent. As an AAU-sanctioned event, teams will compete under verified eligibility standards and a professional tournament structure that mirrors national-level competition.

Both Boys and Girls State Champions will be officially crowned, establishing a tradition young athletes can chase year after year.

A New Statewide Tradition Begins

Hosted at the Phoenix Convention Center, this championship will anchor a twice-annual cycle held every June and December, shaping a true Arizona state championship pathway that rewards excellence, expands opportunity, and creates a marquee stage for basketball communities statewide.

About United Skills Academy

United Skills Academy is committed to building a comprehensive basketball ecosystem that supports youth development, academic growth, and community engagement. The launch of the Arizona Middle School State Championship marks the beginning of a new tradition—one that brings Arizona’s best together under one roof to compete, grow, and inspire.

For more info contact: AAU AZ Director Gregory Strickling gstrick1980@gmail.com