Arizona's Top 25 high school boys basketball players: 2014-15
The Arizona high school boys basketball season is upon us.
Here is a look at Richard Obert's top 25 basketball players in Arizona, regardless of division and class.
Super 25:
No. 1 Markus Howard, Gilbert Perry, 5-11, PG, Soph.
He made a big splash last year, leading the Pumas in scoring and into the Division I semifinals, making azcentral sports' All-Arizona team. Since then, he had a strong and summer run in national events, competed in the USA Junior Basketball camp in Colorado Springs, Colo., and committed to Arizona State University. He will move from shooting guard to point guard after his brother Jordan graduated and is now at Central Arkansas. But don't expect his scoring numbers to drop off. Coach Joe Babinski believes people will be amazed how good a distributor Markus is, as well as a scorer.
No. 2 Dane Kuiper, Tempe Corona del Sol, 6-6, F, Sr.
This New Mexico commit sacrificed offense last season in order to become the team's best lock-down defender. Watch for this smooth swingman to take on a greater offensive role with the graduation of point guard Casey Benson and forward/center Connor MacDougall. Kuiper can drain it from 3-point land as well as he can swoop in and take the ball to the rim. He is the consummate team player who has only lifted Corona del Sol to new heights.
No. 3 Marvin Bagley III, Corona del Sol, 6-10, F/C, Fr.
Yes, he's only a freshman but arguably the best freshman in the nation. Time will tell. But if the summer was any indication, Bagley looks like a dominant player already in the state. Watch him dazzle with the ball in his hands, moving from outside to the inside with athletic gifts maybe never seen by a big man in this state. It's a lot of hype to already put on him, but his work ethic is second to none. And he still finds balance with his music.
No. 4 Michael Bibby, Phoenix Shadow Mountain, 6-1, PG, Jr.
The strides the son of former Arizona and NBA guard Mike Bibby made from his freshman to his sophomore season were off the charts. His confidence showed in the Division II tournament, when he kept making clutch shots to lead Shadow Mountain to the state championship. It earned him a spot on the All-Arizona team. Knee surgery, however, kept him off the court last summer. How well his knee comes around will be key to his success and continued maturation process on the court.
No. 5 Sammy Barnes-Thompkins, Phoenix Sunnyslope, 6-2, G, Sr.
This guy is built like a linebacker and plays with fearlessness on the court, taking the ball hard to the rim. He also can light it up from outside. He won't have big man Michael Humphrey this year to take some of the scoring load off, but he is up for the task of more responsibility. He put up 38 points last year against California team Serra. One of the best guards who will find leading the break.
No. 6 Alex Barcello, Corona del Sol, 6-2, PG, Soph.
Corona del Sol won't have any drop-off on floor direction after 2013 state Player of the Year Casey Benson led the Aztecs to three Division I titles in a row. Watch Barcello take off in Benson's role and knock down jumpers with great precision. He is a tough, gritty players who defends, sees the court well, gets the ball to open teammates and isn't afraid to take the tough shots.
No. 7 Craig Randall, Shadow Mountain, 6-3, G, Sr.
He was one of the top players in Ohio last year, averaging 20 points for Medina. His transfer helps fill the void left by the loss of forward Carlos Johnson, who moved to the Bay area for his senior year. Shadow Mountain could have three point guards on the floor at the same time. They'll just have to borrow a page from the Suns. Randall is explosive off the dribble and adds another dimension to complement Bibby.
No. 8 Marcus Shaver, Phoenix St. Mary's, 6-1, PG, Soph.
Might be the fastest player in the state. He was a blur on the court last year when he averaged 23 points and five assists. With a more seasoned team this year, watch his numbers increase while making players around him better. His ceiling is very high.
No. 9 Kenzo Nudo, Scottsdale Chaparral, 6-3, G, Sr.
Hard-nosed guard who doesn't want to be looked at as purely an outside shooter, although his jumper is pure as any in the state. He has committed to Grand Canyon University. His scoring will increase with a good, balanced team that will leave egos in the locker room. Great team guy, leader, who defends, takes charges, does the little things to help his team win.
No. 10 J.J. Rhymes, Shadow Mountain, 6-4, G, Jr.
He may have to fill much of the responsibilities left by Johnson, but this jumping-jack is capable. Great handles, defender who can get to the rim quickly. He is an unselfish player who could average 30 points on most teams. He is a peer to teammates Bibby and Randall.
No.11 Jaden Lee, Gilbert Christian, 6-2, PG, Fr.
This is the second freshman to make the top 15. That just shows how much talent is coming up through Arizona. It won't take long for people to realize that this kid is the real deal. He already has interest from Arizona State, Grand Canyon University, not to mention UCLA, lighting it up in big national showcases.
No. 12 Mitchell Lightfoot, Gilbert Christian, 6-8, F., Sr.
He was a force at Oro Valley Ironwood Ridge last season. He is part of a few transfers that the Arizona Interscholastic Association is looking into with Gilbert Christian administrators. He appears a go. If so, Gilbert Christian will give Shadow Mountain a big challenge in Division II with a strong mix of inside and outside players who are athletic.
No. 13 Famoun Miller, Phoenix Central, 6-7, F, Sr.
Multitalented. He can shoot from outside and go inside and dominate the paint at both ends of the country. Unlimited potential starting his third season on varsity.
No. 14 Bryce Cheney, Phoenix Moon Valley, 6-6, F, Jr.
He has grown at least two inches since last season when he averaged about 11 points for a 10-win team. His game has grown considerable since then. He plays much like Dane Kuiper, not quite at that level. But he is still growing and developing. He is getting on colleges' radar.
No. 15 Terrence Johnson, Vail Cienega, 6-4, G, Sr.
A talented receiver and defensive back in football, Johnson is equally dynamic on the basketball court. He has a tremendous first step, great hops. Cienega lost six seniors from last year's strong Division II team, but with Johnson and 6-3 Darren Biggs back, Cienega will be more than a handful for most teams. Johnson is as versatile and athlete in Southern Arizona.
No. 16 Brock Gardner, Tri-City Christian Academy, 6-7, G/F, Jr.
His name may not surface playing in the Charter Athletic Association, but college coaches know him and what he can do with a basketball. He picked up summer offers from Central Arkansas and Air Force. He would be the superstar at Gilbert High, but the family is entrenched in their church, and they know his club exposure has helped him with recruiting.
No. 17 Cameron Satterwhite, Gilbert Christian, 6-4, G/F, Jr.
He averaged 11 points and four rebounds last season. Those numbers will go up as his role increases. He is a smooth, athletic scorer who has a good shooting range. Long and bouncy with a 7-foot wingspan. He is sensational in one-on-one matchups and out in space.
No. 18 Tyrell Henderson, Corona del Sol, 6-3, G, Jr.
A bit player on last year's championship team, Henderson's game has been the talk this summer. It has gotten so good that the junior has offers from Northern Arizona, Portland State and Weber State. He will emerge this year as one of the state's top break-out performers.
No. 19 Amiri Chukwuemeka, Tempe McClintock, 5-11, G, Jr.
He led last year's sophomore class in the state with 21.8 points a game. He is a dynamo with the ball, who can penetrate and dish. He also averaged 4.6 assists. And he's not afraid to mix it up on the glass. Averaged 3.1 rebounds.
No. 20 Brandon Clarke, Phoenix Desert Vista, 6-7, G/F, Sr.
He has grown a couple of inches, and, under new coach Tony Darden, Clarke's game will open up more. Great in transition, Taylor is a beast on the boards and clutch in the paint with the ball in his hands. When the game gets bigger, Clarke's game elevates.
No. 21 Jalen Jenkins, Mesa Red Mountain, 6-4, G, Sr.
This will be Jenkins' team, as he moves into a greater leadership role. He is one of the more athletic players in the state with an improved jump shot and a knack to knock down big shots in traffic. He is only getting better under the tutelage of coach Todd Fazio.
No. 22 Ben Wahlberg, Phoenix Pinnacle, 6-6, F, Sr.
Big voids with graduation of Dorian Pickens and Trey Ingram. But Wahlberg has the ability to pick up the scoring and rebounding slack left by Pickens, the state's Player of the Year last season who is now at Stanford. Wahlberg is a blue-collar worker who will mop up on the glass and muscle up and hold his own against most big men in the state.
No. 23 Devin Kirby, Chandler Basha, 6-10, F/C, Jr.
He started every varsity game as a sophomore. Has an offer from Grand Canyon. He is even more athletic than his big brother who starred a few years ago at Basha. He is a strong rebounder and post players who runs the floor well.
No. 24 Delano Jones, Tempe, 5-11, G, Sr.
He led the Buffaloes with 21 points a game last season. Speedy, explosive guard who can stop on a dime and fire up 3s. Good passer and ballhandler who is surrounded by good athletes. Will be the catalyst on a team that could give Shadow Mountain and Gilbert Christian a run in Division II.
No. 25 Cedric Jacobs-Jones, Paradise Valley, 6-4, G/F, Sr.
He easily passes the eye-ball test with a muscular frame. He plays much bigger than his height. He is an enforcer on defense and has very good touch from both outside and in the paint. He averaged 17 points and eight rebounds on a 21-team last year.