Top 2025 Newcomers in the AIA viewed

Gregg Rosenberg February 24, 2023 @ 08:41 AM

As we head into all the final-4 in many of the conferences and OPEN playoffs, I wanted to look back at some of the top newcomers that I did not see last year. Many of them I mentioned along my trek around the state. Some of them will definitely break out for their respective teams next year! Some are only on Junior Varsity and will look to break out next season.   <h2>Here are some top sophomore newcomers I viewed this season</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='1756480' first='Desean' last='Goe'] Moon Valley (Pictured)   A thicker wing has incredible strength for position. He has nice court vision and power to go coast to coast. He rebounds, makes plays, defends multiple positions and scores. He can hit the three plus get to the basket with his gifts scoring thru contact.   [player_tooltip player_id='1698856' first='Velijah' last='Miller'] Chandler   The younger brother of AZ Compass Prep stud VJ Miller has a good look too. He is a fluid combo guard who has a nice burst to get into the paint. He is a long defender to play the passing lanes to collect steals and will block shots.   [player_tooltip player_id='1674466' first='Connor' last='Morris'] ALA- Gilbert North   A good sized scoring guard keeps growing in size and game. He is a sharp shooter with a pretty stroke from mid to the three point line. He uses his size and length in the passing lanes and can rebound inside. Once he fills in more, he will be tougher to handle.   [player_tooltip player_id='1674465' first='Lamar' last='Anderson'] Dysart   The third brother of the Anderson family may be the most fluid of the trio. He glides effortlessly around the court and can get to the basket in very few strides. He is not the deep shooter yet but is very effective near the rim. He will grab offensive rebounds to score on put backs and run the court in transition for layups. He can defend multiple positions and he has a chance to breakout next year.   [player_tooltip player_id='1607055' first='Braden' last='Moore'] Yuma Catholic   The 3A Region Player of the Year is kind of the mystery man of the class. Since he lives far out, not many have seen him play. I had the luxury of watching him compete at the annual Pangos AA Camp with only freshmen and sophomores and he definitely held his own. He has advanced court vision and a tighter dribble to handle heavy pressure. He passes with either hand and gets downhill easily.   [player_tooltip player_id='1735336' first='Michael' last='Johnson'] Highland   A scoring guard who starts on a good 6A team is one of the top shooters in the class. He has picture perfect form and gets it off cleanly and quickly every release. He moves without the ball and plays a cerebral brand of ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='1571920' first='Jaden' last='Blasczyk'] Bradshaw Mountain   Bigs definitely take the longest to develop so you have to find the upside in many of them. Jaden is a perfect example of that. In his best moments, he has the potential to be a high rated player with his movements, skill, size and length. He does need to get stronger but the base is there to be successful.   [player_tooltip player_id='1674467' first='Jaxsen' last='Williams'] Willow Canyon   A thicker wing can get downhill with his build and sturdy frame and he can shoot it. He can hit from mid-range off the dribble with a compact stroke and the lefty doesn't mind the contact in the paint. He gives a good ball fake and will make plays and is tough on defense with a good IQ for the game.

As we head into all the final-4 in many of the conferences and OPEN playoffs, I wanted to look back at some of the top newcomers that I did not see last year. Many of them I mentioned along my trek around the state. Some of them will definitely break out for their respective teams next year! Some are only on Junior Varsity and will look to break out next season.