Preseason All-State Teams: First Team
Preseason Player of the Year
JJ Rhymes 6’3″ G 2016 Shadow Mountain
Rhymes will team with Michael Bibby on what we believe will be the top team in the AIA this year. JJ’s versatility and activity makes him such an important piece to the Matadors’ puzzle. He often defends the opponents best player (no matter the position), leads in rebounding and other defensive statistics, and is usually the top scorer for his team. When Shadow is in a pinch, Rhymes always seems to make a play on either end of the floor. He may be the most productive player in the state.
First Team
Alex Barcello 6’2″ G 2017 Corona del Sol
Last year’s Arizona Player of the Year, Barcello enters this season with a much bigger role. Bagley, Kuiper, and Peat are gone which puts a lot more focus on him. While he has help, he will see many double teams and defenses focused on solely stopping him. Alex has shown the ability to lead a team and score the basketball. He will face different challenges this year but he has always risen to the occasion.
Michael Bibby 6’1″ G 2016 Shadow Mountain
There’s no question that Bibby was missed late in the year for Shadow. Like Rhymes, he fills up the stat sheet, especially on the offensive end. His ability to make plays for himself and, more importantly, his teammates is unmatched.
Tommy Kuhse 6’1″ G 2016 Mesa Mountain View
There may not be a better leader in the state of Arizona. Kuhse is a big time playmaker that understands how to make his teammates better. He is very good at running a team and also has the ability to be a big time scoring threat. While he has talent around him, he is the engine that make to Toros go.
Mitch Lightfoot 6’8″ F 2016 Gilbert Christian
The state’s top senior will pose a lot of problems for defenders this season. There are few that can matchup with his size, skill, and explosiveness. Combine that with the fact that he has two 6’7″ perimeter oriented four men with him along with some outside shooting threats at the guard positions and it makes it hard for anyone to help on him.
Omitted
The following players were worthy of First Team accolades but were omitted from consideration because they do not compete in the AIA with the rest of the players.
DeAndre Ayton 7’1″ C 2017 Hillcrest Prep – A dominating and imposing presence, there are not many players that can matchup with DeAndre Ayton. Considered the #1 player in the country by most national outlets, DeAndre’s mix of frame, athleticism, and skills is unmatched by any player in the country. He is, without question, the most dominant post player in the state of Arizona.
Marvin Bagley 6’10” F 2018 Hillcrest Prep – The most versatile player in the country and, arguably, the top overall prospect in the country. There is not another player in the country with Marvin’s rare combination of size, skill, touch, and feel for the game. He fills up the stat sheet with big time numbers each and every time he steps on the floor.