4A Underclassmen POY Candidates: AIA
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As the regular season starts this week with the Thanksgiving holiday tournaments behind us, I want to give my conference underclassmen of the year predictions for 4-6A. What freshman or sophomore will impact their varsity team the most. Here are my…
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Continue ReadingAs the regular season starts this week with the Thanksgiving holiday tournaments behind us, I want to give my conference underclassmen of the year predictions for 4-6A. What freshman or sophomore will impact their varsity team the most.
Here are my underclassmen player of the year candidates for 4A:
Dylan Novak Dylan Novak 6'0" | PG American Leadership Academy-Gilbert North | 2025 State AZ ALA-Gilbert North (Pictured)
Already their team leader as a sophomore. The lefty guard is a very good passer in transition and the half court plus he can shoot. He is volleyball line range and a good feel for the game. He carried his team during many stretches to win last weeks Fear the Hop tournament at Mesa HS and is now the odds on favorite.
TJ Harris TJ Harris 6'0" | PG Paradise Honors | 2026 State AZ Paradise Honors
A jet quick scoring point guard is a tough one to defend. His speed with the ball is what stands out and then he flies in the open court. He is good defensively, he can shoot and will make his teammates better.
Caden Bass Caden Bass 6'4" | CG Paragon Science Academy | 2026 State AZ Peoria
A bigger sophomore combo guard can be that second or third option this season behind Camacho. He can shoot, he likes attacking, but he will provide defense with his length and quicks, which will be needed versus the top teams.
Caspian Jones Caspian Jones 6'7" | SF St. Mary's | 2025 State AZ St. Mary’s
A bigger wing forward will fit right in with the Knights. His size, above the rim athleticism. length for defense and feathery touch from the perimeter will play perfectly off of their star PG Phipps.
Uriah Tenette Uriah Tenette 5'10" | PG Prescott | 2025 State AZ Prescott
An athletic stud is tough and fearless. He sees the court and can thread the needle. His pull-up is polished from mid and he will hit triples as well. He is highly competitive on defense.
Zane Gaul Zane Gaul 6'10" | C Prescott | 2025 State AZ Prescott
The soph big man provides a physical presence in the paint. He will bang with anyone in 4A and score around the rim. He is also stepping out and shooting it from the three.
Jaden Blasczyk Bradshaw Mountain
A fluid sophomore post player moves well end to end. He protects the rim, grabs rebounds, scores on hook shots, dunks and put backs and will occasionally step out to the perimeter.
Donovan Dabney Donovan Dabney 6'4" | SF Higley | 2025 State AZ Higley
A cerebral soph lead guard is smart and very skilled. He has good size and can spray the ball around to open shooters or cutters. He can pull-up, get to the rim and he is probably best as a three point shooter.
Desean Middlebrook Desean Middlebrook 6'3" | SF Mesquite | 2026 State AZ Mesquite
A physical hard nosed freshman will come right into the starting line up and immediately help the Wildcats. He brings his lunch pail to every outing, as he crashes the glass, scores through contact with his toughness and grit. He can shoot it from the perimeter a bit but currently likes his post game. He will be back in the lineup next week.
Michael Payne Michael Payne 5'9" | PG Cholla | 2025 State AZ Sahuarita
A two-way soph scoring point guard impressed recently at the TOP 250 EXPO. He is a very good up the court passer, he gets into the teeth of the defense and will kick it to a shooter. He likes getting downhill with his stocky frame and can pull-up from mid to the three.