Year in and year out as the talent pool in both the state and throughout the AIA grows, the amount of impactful incoming freshmen grows.
Last season, Jakyi Miles helped lead Mesa back to the 6A championship game, Adan Diggs led Williams Field to the Open Division, and the duo of Maurice Carter II & Jaydon Hayes led Willow Canyon to the top seed in the 5A conference bracket.
The 2029 crop of talent may not have two top five prospects nationally in its class like the 2028 class had, but it may be deeper with players ready to make an impact throughout the state.
Lead Guards
Led by one of the top prospects in the nation in the 2029 class in Isaiah Rider IV who’ll be leading the way at Higley, there’s the potential for multiple division one caliber guards in this group. Rider has a smooth game as a floor general with control as if the ball is on the string for him with a tight handle and a great playmaking ability.
Carl Hayden has been known for stellar guard play in recent years and guard Remy Rose looks to carry that baton into the future. This season, he’ll be the ultimate sixth man for Hayden. Rose is one of the most pure point guards in the 2029 class as his playmaking is elite and his ability to get into the paint with ease and score or kick it out to the perimeter is great.
Desert Edge is known for its football and track programs, but under new head coach Cameron Johnson, the Scorpions are ready to become a contender in basketball. Helping lead that charge is freshman guard CJ Johnson. A three-level scorer who can play both on and off ball and showcases a high motor as one of the best rebounders at the position fighting with bigs to pull in boards. His ability to jump passing lanes and get on the fast break will be key for Desert Edge’s success.
Guards to watch
- Taylan Owens, Canyon View
- Cruz Kazmierski, Gilbert
- Malik Frazier, Bourgade Catholic
- Jordan Cruz, Dysart
- Brexton Quinet, Desert Mountain
- Turner Armstrong, Coolidge
- Kha’leal Brown, McClintock
Wings/Bigs
When Jacobi Thompson II made the move from California to Arcadia prior to Section 7, the ceiling of the Titans went to another level. An athletic slashing wing that can play out on the perimeter or above the rim and possesses some of the best defensive skill for any incoming freshman in the state. He can guard anyone 1-5 on the court and knock down shots throughout the floor making him a dangerous two-way threat for Arcadia.
Another piece of the Fab Four at Higley is Marquice Pless, the crafty wing for the Knights.He doesn’t always play flashy, in fact he specializes at doing the dirty work of crashing the glass, slashing and attacking the rim and finishing strong and defending with his length. Yet, he also shows off an ability to knock down tough shots from deep and off the dribble in the mid range.
To play at Liberty, you need to have a certain level of toughness, and Trevin Davis possesses that. Another athlete that plays bigger than his 6’5” frame, the wing shows off with one of the best rebounding skills of anyone in the 2029 class, and the defensive chops to go with it. He can guard both on the perimeter and in the post and his evolving shooting ability makes him a two-way threat.
Wings/Bigs to watch
- Innocent Onwo, Mesa
- Azariah Reetz, Carl Hayden
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