5A: Wing Watch List
5A has a number of wings who are capable of playing this game at the next level. The length and skill level in this group is high. Further, multiple of these prospects bring a lot of versatility and athleticism in addition to their skill sets. Obviously, solid point guard play is a must. However, look for the wings to be the X-Factor in some of the top teams in 5A.
5A: Wing Watch List
Kyle Fischer 6’5 2018 Sunnyslope
Fischer is one of the biggest keys to Sunnyslope’s success. He does so many different things for this group. He is a high level rebounder who has a good basketball IQ. Moreover, he has a consistent mid-range jumper and good passing abilities.
Emmanuel Taban 6’7 2019 Apollo
Taban is one of the most improved players in the entire state. “E” as many refer to him, is capable of playing 1-4 at the high school level. Most notably, the lengthy shooter has improved his ball handling skills and added a number of moves to his game.
Josh Baker 6’1 2019 McClintock
Baker is without a doubt one of the top shooters in the state. He has a quick release and shoots it with unbelievable accuracy. Baker and McClintock look poised to have a solid season despite being in one of the toughest conferences in 5A.
Jaret Allen 6’4 2019 Deer Valley
Speaking of most improved players, Allen was extremely solid this off-season. His length mixed with his skill set is a game changer. He brings a lot of versatility to the floor that makes Deer Valley dangerous. Deer Valley has talent at every position. However, Allen is the X-Factor for this group.
Daniel Foster 6’0 2018 Agua Fria
Foster is capable of scoring in a hurry. When he gets a rhythm, he scores the basketball as well as anyone in the state. He has a confident stroke and will let it fly from anywhere on the floor. Moreover, he is capable of putting the ball on the floor and attacking the rim.
Quentin Guliford 6’4 2018 Liberty (Montana State)
Guliford is yet another example of a skilled wing who improved greatly this off-season. He is capable of impacting the game as much as any player in 5A. He is lengthy, athletic, and has a great feel for the game. Moreover, he has an improved handle. Look for Guliford to play a huge role for Liberty this year.
Koby Jones 6’4 2018 Centennial
Jones is one of the best athletes in 5A. He gets up and down the floor quickly and has a good vertical. Moreover, he has improved his ability to shoot the basketball from deep. Centennial returns a number of their players from last years team that showed a lot of promise. Jones will be a key part of whatever success this team experiences.
Jaden Lee 6’2 2018 Mesquite
Lee is one of the best athletes in the entire state. There is no question that he has NCAA Division-I athleticism. At times, his decision making could use improvement. However, he has a number of tools and abilities that will make him a key factor for Mesquite.
David Exline 6’4 2018 Mesquite
Exline has been Mr. Mesquite for the past couple of seasons. Despite only being 6’4, he is a double-double machine. He plays the game extremely hard and has improved his ability to shoot the basketball from deep. He is without a doubt the X-Factor for this group who will be one of the key reasons that Mesquite is successful this season.
Donovan Reagan 6’4 2018 Fairfax
Reagan is one of the most underrated players in the state. He does a little bit of everything for Fairfax. He gets on the glass extremely well and plays tough defense. Further, he has a high basketball IQ and scores the basketball very efficiently. Reagan is definitely worthy of being on our wing watch list and should be player to watch in 5A as well in general.
Isaiah Rhymes 6’5 2018 Carl Hayden
Rhymes is another prospect who has gone relatively under the radar. He is long, athletic, and has a great feel for the game. His ability to play inside and outside makes him a tough match-up for anyone in the state. Rhymes is definitely a next level caliber player and is a high caliber wing.
Emad Elniel 6’5 2019 Independence
Elniel is lengthy and can shoot the basketball at a high level. He should have a much bigger impact this upcoming season than he had last year. He has improved his athleticism and ball handling. Defensively, he is solid on the basketball as well.
Dominic Gonzalez 6’3 2020 Ironwood
Gonzalez was one of the leading scoring freshman in 5A last year and one of the highest percentage shooters from the 3. This summer, Gonzalez looked like a prospect capable of leading this team in scoring. His lengthy also enables him to be a solid defender on the wing.
Ajang Aguek 6’7 2018 Ironwod
Aguek is a like a number of the other athletic wings we mentioned earlier who have blossomed as of late. He plays the game as hard as anyone and is constantly finding a way to make game changing plays. Offensively, he has added a number of moves to his game that will assist him in doing more than being a knock down shooter.
Blaise Threatt 6’1 2019 Chaparral
Threatt is one of the best shooters in the state as well. He played solid minutes last year as a Sophomore. With a number of voids appearing in the group and Threatt continuing to improve, I expect that he will play a much bigger role for this group in the upcoming season.
Skyler Certo 6’3 2019 Notre Dame Prep
Certo was one of the big reasons that Notre Dame Prep was able to have a much improved season this past year in comparison to the previous season. He brings a year of experience back with him to a group at Notre Dame Prep that is going to surprise a lot of people this season.
Jordan Morris 6’2 2018 Paradise Valley
Morris and Tashon Brown will largely share the backcourt this upcoming season. Morris is physical and capable of extending the floor due to his shooting abilities. With all of the returning talent at Paradise Valley, I expect this group to be extremely solid this upcoming season.