Top All-Around Players to Watch

<p>Ah yes, the lovely game of basketball. So many play, yet so few are truly great. In the beautiful state of Idaho, many players enjoy using basketball for a recreational sport, as a way of satisfying their competitive desires, and some use this sport in order to perpetuate their social standings in hopes of gaining friends, colleagues, or supporters. However, all of these groups may seem different, yet they are all connected by the beautiful game created by Dr. James Naismith not too long ago. Continue reading for a look at some of the top all-around players ahead of the 2021-22 season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="921076" first="Jack" last="Payne"], Boise:</strong> Payne is one of the best players in the state thanks in large part to his unique skillset and size for his position. Payne is athletic and can guard 1-5 on the defensive end, while also playing any position on the offensive end with ease. He is a skilled shooter with extended range who is a tough cover for taller defenders. He also has great ball handling skills and has shown a great passing ability that pairs well with his other offensive strengths.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1171710" first="Gatlin" last="Bair"], Kimberly:</strong> Bair is a great talent who can score at all three levels and has already proven himself to be one of the best players in the state at a young age. Bair plays at a high level on both ends of the floor and the upcoming seasons of prep basketball will only provide him with an opportunity to improve his comfortability and standing in the rankings. Gatlin has an elite skillset and has been working hard this summer in order to truly hone his skills and prove that he is one of the best in the state.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="923086" first="Kolton" last="Mitchell"], Lake City:</strong> Mitchell has the skills and abilities to be one of the best players in the state so long as he stays healthy. Kolton is an excellent shooter who can stretch the floor and make defenders pay heavily for failing to close out properly. Mitchell is a great passer who always puts his teammates in positions to succeed with great backdoor passes or post entries in the correct locations. Mitchell understands the game at a high level and plays with an unrelenting motor on both ends of the floor.</p>