Prep Hoops Top 250: Program Changers
Some of the prospects at the Top 250 are extremely skilled but carry a little more pressure on their shoulders than many of the other prospects at the event. These guys will be looked to in order to take their programs to another level by getting them to the state tournament after missing out last year. Needless to say the task will not easy, but if there is someone who can do it, it is these guys:
Shay Cain 6’4 PG/SG 2021 Desert Edge (Venom)
It is unlikely that Desert Edge will make the leap this year. However, after a 4 win season, Desert Edge should be prepared to have more success this upcoming season. In fact, with the amount of youth that the program has, this team could see a huge growth this year and then make the state tournament a couple of years in a row. Shay Cain will be a huge part of whatever success this team has. He is an incredible athlete who can impact the game in an array of ways.
Aidyn Parrish 6’2 PG 2019 North Canyon (Blue Chip Nation)
North Canyon is intriguing in that they have a talented team coming back with Aidyn Parrish running the show. However, their region is as tough as it gets in the 5A world. Parrish might have the toughest job out of any prospect on this list in terms of making their team a state tournament contender. However, he might be the most skilled prospect on this list.
Sunday John 6’4 SG/SF 2020 Willow Canyon (Factory)
Willow Canyon was well on their way to making it to the state tournament last year after a solid run. In fact, if they had won one more game against one of the state tournament teams that they lost to, there is a good chance that Willow Canyon would have made the state tournament last year. Sunday John and KJ Patrick look like the dynamic duo who can make it happen. John looks more athletic and confident than ever before. This group is far from a dark horse to make the state tournament this upcoming season. With that said, 5A is deeper than any class in the state.
DeOtis Nunn 5’11 PG 2022 South Mountain (Team Harden)
Can a freshman really be the game changer that South Mountain needs to get them to the state tournament? Probably not. However, the good news is that he does not need to do it by himself. South Mountain barely missed the state tournament last year. They return skilled prospects like Zay Freeney, Kyree Ware, and Fontane Ross. With that said, Nunn is able to score the basketball at a varsity level and will aid this team. Further, Nunn represents one of the strongest incoming freshman groups at South in recent memory. This team will be ready when it is time for only 16 5A teams to suit up.
Jacob Leslie 6’5 PF 2020 MALC (Voltage)
MALC goes down to 1A and will have the luxury of having Leslie for the entire season, assuming he can stay away from getting injured this fall. Leslie will not be the only prospect returning who will make an impact for the group as the team will feature two other 2020 prospects in Zach Neal and Matt Hernandez. With Leslie back, these three 2020s could be poised to make noise in 1A for multiple years.