POY Watchlist: Week 9

<div class="article-content"> <p>The State Player of the year is one of the most prestigious awards a prep player can take home in his career. No POY race in recent memory has had as many potential candidates as this one. Throughout the season PH will keep you updated with the POY race. In this article, we take a look at the candidates after week 9.</p> <p><em>Favorites:</em></p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mwani-wilkinson/">M’Wani Wilkinson</a> 6’6 SF Bishop Gorman 2020 (#4PHN 2020)</strong> –Ho hum week for Wilkinson he went for 20-11 and 3 with 4 blocks. One of the best 6'6 rim protectors that I've ever seen.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/julian-strawther/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/julian-strawther/">Julian Strawther</a></a> 6’6 SF Liberty 2020  (#2 2020)</strong> – Strawther has been his dominant self. He’s added to his game this season. He’s faced so many double teams he has learned how to get teammates involved with his passing.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/daishen-nix/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/daishen-nix/">Daishen Nix</a></a> 6’5 PG Trinity International 2020 (#1 2020)</strong> – Another week another tournament Championship for Nix. He led Trinity to the Alaska Airline Classic back in his home state.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaden-hardy/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaden-hardy/">Jaden Hardy</a></a> 6’4 PG Coronado 2021 (#1 2021)</strong> – Hardy is a legitimate candidate that has led the Cougars all season.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/zaon-collins/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/zaon-collins/">Zaon Collins</a></a> 6’1 PG Bishop Gorman 2021</strong> <strong>(#2 2021)</strong> – Collins has been the engine for Gorman all season. He helped them pick up another National win over Harvard - Westlake this weekend at the Nike Extravaganza.</p> <p><em>Contenders:</em></p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/milos-uzan/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/milos-uzan/">Milos Uzan</a></a> 6’3 PG Desert Pines 2022 (#3PHN 2022) – </strong>Uzan has put together a great season leading DP in points and assist while helping them to an undefeated conference record.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/will-mcclendon/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/will-mcclendon/">Will McClendon</a></a> 6’4 SG Bishop Gorman 2021 (#3 2021)</strong> – The Gorman star has committed to play at UCLA.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mason-whittaker/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/mason-whittaker/">Mason Whittaker</a></a> 6’5 PG Spanish Springs 2020 (#44 2020)</strong> – Spanish Springs is rolling into playoff form thanks to the play of Whittaker. The Cougars have won 6 in a row, Whittaker put up 25 and 8 in a W over Reed.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ethan-speaker/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ethan-speaker/">Ethan Speaker</a></a> 6’6 SF Boulder City 2021 (#8 2021)</strong> –Speaker is the leading candidate for 3A player of the year right now. He has put together a dominant season for a Boulder City team with Championship aspirations.</p> <p><em>Dark Horses:</em></p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/anthony-hunter/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/anthony-hunter/">Anthony Hunter</a></a> 5’11 PG Durango 2020 (#6 2020)</strong> – Hunter had 3 consecutive 20 point games this week as he continues his impressive senior season.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/donavan-yap/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/donavan-yap/">Donavan Yap</a></a> 6’2 SG Arbor View 2020 (#5 2020)</strong>  – Despite being under a heavy spotlight, Yap has put together a terrific season. He currently leads the team in points, assist and steals.</p> <p><em>Long Shots:</em></p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/glenn-taylor/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/glenn-taylor/">Glenn Taylor</a></a> 6’5 SF Cheyenne 2021 (#4 2021) – </strong>Do it all stud that has Cheyenne sitting at 7-2 in the conference.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/michael-klekas/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/michael-klekas/">Michael Klekas</a></a> 6’3 SF Elko 2022</strong> <strong>(#10 2022)</strong> – Klekas is averaging 25 and 12 for a 19-2 Elko squad.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kade-madsen/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kade-madsen/">Kade Madsen</a></a> 6’2 SG Palo Verde 2020</strong> <strong>(#18 2020)</strong> – If you haven’t had an opportunity to see Madsen play, you better get over to Palo soon. Madsen is the leader of an experienced and dangerous squad. Behind his play, the Panthers are 19-5 and sit tied atop the Mountain Northwest.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/keshon-gilbert/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/keshon-gilbert/">Keshon Gilbert</a></a> 6’2 PG Durango 2021 (#7 2021)</strong> – Gilbert has put together a strong season helping Durango to a 16 win season.</p> </div>