Way Too Early Top-50 Most Impactful next year

Before we head deep into club season I want to take a peek into the next season.   I do my official list of my top-250 or so on Thanksgiving every year. But who will be the true difference makers next year? Who will be the guys to potentially win an OPEN Chip because of them?  This is obviously before the transfer portal officially opens up :)   These are not prospect rankings but what players will lead their team to an OPEN/6A/5A/4A/Small Ball ring?   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Here is my glimpse into the future:</h2>   1. [player_tooltip player_id='1546987' first='Adan' last='Diggs'] Millennium   One of the best players this year leads a very talented 6A team next year to hopefully get back to the OPEN Final-4 but win it and hoist the trophy next year. He is the hardest guard to defend in the state and defends multiple positions.   2. [player_tooltip player_id='1555179' first='Darius' last='Wabbington'] Sunnyslope   If Diggs is the hardest guard, then Wabbington is the clear hardest forward to defend. The state champs will have a target on their backs but he is a load to handle with his sheer size, skill, touch, soft hands and passing skills for a post player. They will be one of the favorites again next year.   3. [player_tooltip player_id='1555180' first='Delton' last='Prescott III'] Sunnyslope   The top pure point guard in the state coming back for another season is the maestro of this year's top team. He guided them to a ring and looks to repeat with his speed, yo-yo handle, pinpoint passing and scoring with mid pull-ups. threes and drives.   4. [player_tooltip player_id='2370259' first='Terry' last='McKinney III'] Millennium   One of the most versatile players in the AIA can play and defend almost every position outside of PG. He will defend centers and then guards on the next possession. He can post up, shoot the three, rip thru and throw it down way above the rim. They are one of the favorites next season.   5. [player_tooltip player_id='1651788' first='Jakyi' last='Miles'] Mesa   Arguably the top scoring point guard in the AIA ended up losing to the older Liberty team in the 6A Final-4. He has that rare size, skill for days from mid to the three point line and simply just gets to his spots on the floor he wants. He can also make plays and almost the entire roster comes back.   6. [player_tooltip player_id='2146175' first='LJ' last='Diamond'] Perry   If Miles isn't the top scoring point guard in the AIA, then it's Diamond. He just may be the top athlete of any lead guard in the state or on the West Coast. He will score with the best of them from all three levels with his explosive bursts and almost his full team is all coming back. They may get back to the 6A Chip next year or make an Elite-8 OPEN run.   7. [player_tooltip player_id='2276223' first='Kingston' last='Montague'] Basha   Another top of the food chain scoring guard who plays on or off the ball. I assume he will slide over to the 1 spot but also still maintain his prolific offense and shooting from all spots on the court with deep range and a quick trigger. They will be one of the best teams in 6A next season.   8. [player_tooltip player_id='2249943' first='Lleyton' last='Leonard'] Basha   Another one of the most versatile players in the state for next season is clearly Leonard. He can play and defend nearly every position and he is scoring and shooting it better and better as he ages. He is a way above the rim athlete but his shooting has picked up a notch. They will be one of the best teams in 6A next season.   9. [player_tooltip player_id='1464983' first='Mick' last='Riordan'] St. Mary's   The shot heard around the state and maybe even the country was Riordan's epic shot at the buzzer to beat the loaded Tigers team. He has great size and one of the purest shooting strokes from mid to the three point line. He also is cerebral to make plays. They did lose some important pieces but he can lead the 4A team.   10. [player_tooltip player_id='1873684' first='Tyson' last='Crandall'] Highland   They made an Elite-8 OPEN run and only lost to St. Mary's by 8. They did lose some important pieces and Crandall will have an even heavier load to handle by trying to maybe score 25ppg nightly with his deep shooting from the volleyball line and tough pull-ups. They will still be a tough out in 6A.   11. [player_tooltip player_id='1956218' first='Marcus' last='Isaac'] Mountain Pointe   The say bigs take the longest to develop but you saw some flashes of brilliance during the season and in the 5A Chip with his next level two-way play. He is a top rim protector and he is polishing up his skill with mid-range jumpers, threes and hook shots inside. They will once again be one of the better teams in 5A.   12. [player_tooltip player_id='2412268' first='Maurice' last='Carter II'] Willow Canyon   One of the best scoring point guards in the state could have been in the finals versus the Pride with their 1-point loss. He has next level speed, athleticism and skill that are hard to contain night in and night out. He makes shots from all levels and can still make plays. They may either be in the Elite-8 or in the 5A Chip next year.   13. [player_tooltip player_id='2759176' first='Trevin' last='Davis'] Liberty   The MVP of the 6A Chip was Davis. He had breakout games in the playoffs and in the Championship. He has a stronger frame then most with plus athleticism. He has the skill and size to play inside and the touch to shoot the three easily. They have some size and good older players to make another run at 6A.   14. [player_tooltip player_id='2386978' first='Jaydon' last='Hayes'] Willow Canyon   Carter's partner in crime is definitely Hayes. He has that strong college frame with skill, feel and toughness. His skill is super polished with mid-range pull-ups to threes with some range. He can make players around him better when needed and defends. They may either be in the Elite-8 or in the 5A Chip next year.   15. [player_tooltip player_id='2194808' first='Carter' last='Bagley'] St. Mary's   Another super strong framed scoring guard will be the 1A and 1B scorers for the Knights next season. He has one of the top mid-range pull-ups in the class and will rattle in triples off the catch. He had a big game of 48 points this season and him and [player_tooltip player_id='1464983' first='Mick' last='Riordan'] can win 4A or make it to the Elite-8 of the OPEN.   16. [player_tooltip player_id='2552733' first='Donovan' last='Palmer'] Chandler    One of the top post players in 6A is a true inside and out threat. He has the hands and post moves to score it inside but the touch to extend it out to the three point line or from mid-range. He rebounds and blocks shots in bunches. He can take them deep in the playoffs next year.   17. [player_tooltip player_id='2337274' first='Brig' last='Bowden'] Mesa   If the Jackrabbits make a deep run led by Miles, Bowden will definitely have his imprints on the results for them. He is an inside and out threat with a nice looking stroke from mid to the three point line but also has the footwork in the paint to score. He rebounds and will help them make a deep run.   18. [player_tooltip player_id='1873639' first='Grant' last='Mattingly'] Central    A two-time champion both his high school seasons as he was the Robin to John's Batman. It will now be his team the next two years and will facilitate to make players around him better but he will most likely score more with threes and slick drives to the basket. They will once again be a contender for a 5A Chip.   19. [player_tooltip player_id='2194805' first='Marquice' last='Pless'] Higley   The dynamic duo will have a bigger workload. He is one of the tougher covers with playing and defending multiple positions. He can score with threes, dribble drives, rip thrus and his competitiveness is off the charts. Depending on who else shows up, they can make a deep run in 6A.   20. [player_tooltip player_id='2194474' first='Isaiah' last='Rider IV'] Higley   A defensive point guard who guided the team this season to an elite-8 finish and almost upset Millennium in the process. He is a good passer with two-way abilities, as he can defend a couple positions. He also has a nice looking three point stroke. Depending on who else shows up, they can make a deep run in 6A.   21. [player_tooltip player_id='2767903' first='Jacobi' last='Thompson II'] Arcadia   The MVP of the 4A Chip will once again try to lead his team back to the 4A Chip. He is one of the top two-way wings in 4A and maybe in the AIA. He defends nearly every position but showed his improving skill in the finals with multiple threes and driving layups or dunks in traffic.   22. [player_tooltip player_id='2146267' first='Micah' last='Andrews'] Deer Valley   The top defensive point guard in 4A will terrorize his opponents all year long and most likely be in the hunt for the 4A Finals again. He is scoring it more and will be asked to score even more next season with threes, blow by's with his breakneck speed and tough pull-ups.   23. [player_tooltip player_id='2457665' first='Viktor' last='Babic'] Perry   LJ's right hand man is definitely Babic. If they are going to make a deep run, their big window of opportunity may be next season with a nice 2027 and 2028 core.. He scores it with threes off the catch or pull and long striding takes to the basket. They may get back to the 6A Chip next year or make an Elite-8 OPEN run.   24. [player_tooltip player_id='2407206' first='Cameron' last='Hurt'] Pinnacle   One of the top pure point guards in 6A makes players around him better and will defend on the ball with his quicker feet and hands with length. He will also score with threes off the catch, downhill bursts to the basket and guide the Pioneers on a deep 6A run next season.   25. [player_tooltip player_id='2301235' first='Rhys' last='M. Robinson'] Pinnacle   One of the their top scorers coming back is a long wing forward with a whole lot of skill. He uses his size and length to rebound but he is a bucket from mid to the three point line with a quicker trigger. He will rip thru and go to work in the paint. He is another reason three Pioneers could make a deep 6A run.   26. [player_tooltip player_id='1555181' first='Adrian' last='Higuera'] Millennium   A strong season for the scoring point guard guided his talented team to the final-4. He has control of the game and the pace of most outings. He has a nasty mid-pull-up off the dribble and will hit the three and score in transition. They are looking to get back to the OPEN Final-4   27. [player_tooltip player_id='2427680' first='Conner' last='Tefteller'] Campo Verde    One of the top pure point guards in 5A next year will definitely be Tefteller. He sees the court with pinpoint passes and next level court vision. He will also score with threes off the catch or pull, bursts towards the basket with his left hand and they will be in the mix again as one of the top 5A teams.   28. [player_tooltip player_id='2133646' first='Myles' last='Godfrey'] Cactus Shadows   One of the top pure point guards in 4A guided his team to the final-4 of 4A this season and looks to get his team over the hump his pivotal senior season. His pace, feel and pinpoint passes are a thing of beauty. He will also score with pull-ups from mid to the three and hesitates to the basket.   29. [player_tooltip player_id='2266384' first='Aiden' last='Williams'] Brophy Prep   A ton of seniors are graduating and Williams will lead this next group of youth and some older players. He has the poise, handle and skill to handle the lead role. He is more of a natural scorer with threes off the catch and pull-ups from mid-range. The Broncos will be a tough out in 6A per usual.   30. [player_tooltip player_id='2194803' first='Pierce' last='Harrington'] Saguaro    A two-headed attack for the 4A top-tier team for next season will be Harrington and Hailey. Pierce is their top scorer making it look easy in stretches with jumpers from mid to the three and he is very elusive to the basket. He can handle some of the lead role as well.   31. [player_tooltip player_id='2386974' first='Nasir' last='Hailey'] Saguaro   A two-headed attack for the 4A top-tier team for next season will be him and Harrington. Nasir is their powerful guard who handles the lead role most of the time and will make plays, defend and score getting downhill plus he will hit perimeter jumpers.   32. [player_tooltip player_id='2533651' first='Bentley' last='Elrod'] Sunnyslope   Bentley made the move to Sunnyslope and will slide in perfectly as an inside and out threat with some size. He rebounds at a nice clip in his area and will score it with threes off the catch, dribble drives, rip thrus and will even dunk it on the break.   33. [player_tooltip player_id='2466075' first='Jayvein' last='Moody'] Mountain Pointe   One of their top scoring guards who has been in the 5A state finals both years in high school. The lefty scores it from all three levels with dunks on the break, mid-range pull-ups and threes. He is quick on the ball defensively and they will once again be one of the better teams in 5A.   34. [player_tooltip player_id='2194481' first='Justin' last='Kimbrough'] Mountain Pointe   The point guard for the Pride has been in the 5A state finals both years in high school. He has that rare yo-yo handle and next level speed combined with next level passing skills to make them go. He will also score with tough pull-ups from mid and threes.   35. [player_tooltip player_id='2282925' first='Jacob' last='Hunter'] Liberty   The senior leader for the team next year will clearly be Hunter. He has two way abilities to rebound and defend. He will score it from all levels with threes, mid pull-ups, post ups and drives. They have some size and good older players to make another run at 6A.   36. [player_tooltip player_id='1986796' first='Peyton' last='Lubash'] San Tan Charter   The top 2A team is once again the heavy favorites to win the Copper Championship next season. Between him, Street and Vargas, they will be a tough out all year long. A potentially undefeated season led by the sharp shooting of Lubash with his volleyball line range and passing skills.   37. [player_tooltip player_id='1950104' first='Jonathan' last='Mercado'] Chandler    The leading scorer next season will most likely be Mercado. The lefty is a natural scorer from all levels with tough downhill takes, tough pull-ups off the dribble and threes. He can also thread the needle. He can take them deep in the playoffs next year.   38. [player_tooltip player_id='1956217' first='PJ' last='Nowlin Jr'] Canyon View   The Swiss Army Knife will have a lot on his shoulders next season. The West Valley 5A team should be back in the mix of things again but in the tough 6A. He will defend, score from all three levels and make players around him better with an unselfish attitude.   39. [player_tooltip player_id='2291976' first='Collin' last='Kvamme'] Campo Verde   Another top notch point guard for the Coyotes is Kvamme. He can make plays for his teammates but he is mostly looking to score. The lefty has unlimited range it seems combined with a quicker trigger from beyond the arc. He will also pull-up from mid and get to the basket. They will be in the mix again as one of the top 5A teams.   40. [player_tooltip player_id='2146268' first='Brock' last='Knee'] Arcadia     Thompson II and Knee will try to lead their team back to the 4A Chip. Knee will have more on his plate without Kendrick. He will score it from deep with his super quick trigger but also take it to the basket more and defend a couple positions for the Titans.   41. [player_tooltip player_id='3143427' first='Myking' last='Marfell-Williams'] Westview   Kind of a sleeper team here with the Knights. They had a great year and were ranked 6th in 4A with many of their top players coming back including their top player with Myking. He shoots it with deep range and has the court vision and feel to make plays.   42. [player_tooltip player_id='2297438' first='Oliver' last='Burbach'] Brophy Prep   Burbach steps into a big role this upcoming season. Him and [player_tooltip player_id='2266384' first='Aiden' last='Williams'] will both take on a big workload for the Broncos. He has the feel to play on or off the ball to make plays but he has a pretty shooting stroke from the three point line.   43. [player_tooltip player_id='2834414' first='Jackson' last='Moore'] Cienega   One of the top players in all of Tucson next season will be Moore. They were the 5 seed in 5A this year and really only lost 1 player (1 of their best) but their main core is coming back led by Jackson. He will make everyone around him better, defend and score it from all levels.   44. [player_tooltip player_id='2759167' first='Taylan' last='Owens'] Canyon View   The West Valley team brings back a lot of pieces back along with [player_tooltip player_id='2754862' first='Anthony' last='Stokes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='3259747' first='DJ' last='Charles'], but [player_tooltip player_id='1956217' first='PJ' last='Nowlin Jr'] and Owens may prove to be the most pivotal in determining some outcomes. Taylan facilitates better then most from his class and he can score it from mid to the three.   45. [player_tooltip player_id='2434650' first='Ashton' last='Havvard'] Dysart   A steady West Valley program in 4A has quietly put together multiple good years in a row. They were the 10th seed this season and have a chance to crack the top-5 next season with some older players and youth. Havvard may lead the charge with his versatility playing from inside and out, passing skills, rebounding and playing any position needed to win that game.   46. [player_tooltip player_id='2759173' first='Jordan' last='Cruz'] Dysart   A steady West Valley program in 4A has quietly put together multiple good years in a row. They were the 10th seed this season and have a chance to crack the top-5 next season with some older players and youth. Cruz may lead the team in scoring next year with his polished pull-ups, threes and slick drives to the basket.   47. [player_tooltip player_id='2533594' first='CJ' last='Johnson'] Desert Edge   The young upstart team is clearly led by Johnson. He was one of the best freshmen in the AIA with his passing, scoring from all three levels and his team around him is getting better to lead them to a potential deep 5A run next season behind his leadership.   48. [player_tooltip player_id='2432574' first='Terrance' last='Byrd'] Sandra Day O'Connor   The Eagles graduated almost a full team of talent but left a couple pieces plus really good JV and freshmen teams. They most likely will be led by top-20 2028 talent with Byrd. He has the unique ability to play and defend multiple positions and will score it at or above the rim, rebound and block shots.   49. [player_tooltip player_id='2552772' first='Tre' last='Terry'] Hamilton     A somewhat younger 6A team most likely will be led by Terry. He keeps showing some glimpses of how good he can be and with MJ Cole graduating, Tre will have a ton of responsibility to lead the Huskies next season with scoring from all levels and making plays for his teammates to lead them to a deeper 6A run.   50. [player_tooltip player_id='2552787' first='Landen' last='Martineau'] Casteel   They have some nice underclassmen coming back but without their pure point guard it will be hard for them to make a deeper run in a stacked 6A. He will facilitate as he uses pinpoint passes to make players around him better and score with threes and quick drives.

Before we head deep into club season I want to take a peek into the next season.