Team Previews: #1. Hillcrest Prep National
Head Coach: Kyle Weaver
Affiliation: N/A
Top Dog(s): Marvin Bagley (6’10”, F, SO); DeAndre Ayton (7’1”, C, JR);
Sleeper: Dontez Thomas (6’1”, G, JR);
Notes: It’s clear that the top two prospects on this team are Marvin Bagley and DeAndre Ayton, who also happen to be the top prospects in the country for their respective classes. The Bruins have a distinct advantage on the interior but it doesn’t end with these two. 6’10” Adilison Piedade (2018) and 6’8” Christino Gomes (2018) are legitimate Division-I prospects in their own right and may be the only in-state frontcourt that could compete with Hillcrest’s starting pair. On the perimeter, while they are not high major heavy, the Bruins have some very solid guards. Channel Banks is a 6’4” physical guard that looks to score the ball. From the point guard group former Gilbert Christian standouts Dontez Thomas and Jaden Lee. Thomas has been handed the keys to the car thus far and is doing a great job. Lee, the top prospect of all the perimeter players, has really improved his game as well. 5’9” senior Julian Payton is a quickster with confidence in his handle and the ability to set up teammates.