FIVE POTENTIAL PLAYERS OF THE YEAR FOR 2023

Introduction: There are many outstanding seniors in the class of 2023 but five potential candidates to be Player of the Year. Here's a profile of each one:     [player_tooltip player_id='208264' first='KYAH' last='WYNN'] - is a 5-9 power forward for Cactus Shadows High School. She recently transferred to Desert Mountain High School in Scottsdale. As a junior, she averaged 6.2 points per game along with 6.3 rebounds. Her team finished with an overall 9-18 record and 3-6 in their division. Although they lost a game to Ironwood Ridge this past season, Kyah had four steals in the game. She also had a double-double against Valley View - 17 points and 10 rebounds. As a sophomore, because of an injury, she only played in four games, averaging 4.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. She had three blocks in a game against Horizon McClintock. One scout commented on her game: "She has a high basketball IQ, and is a force on the court. She is a talented player who is a good defender, has post moves, and a strong mid-range jump shot." Kyah has a 3.70 GPA and was selected to the Honorable Mention All-Region Northeast Valley team.   EVALUATION: Kyah is ready for a breakout season in 2022-2023. Her offensive game has improved year by year while also playing consistent team defense. She is a strong rebounder on offense and defense and her quick hands make for lots of steals. Her team should be markedly improved in 2023.     MALIA LENZ - is a 5-10 forward who plays for PHH Prep in Phoenix. As a junior, Malia averaged 9.6 points per game, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.5 steals. Playing a national schedule, PHH Prep finished with an overall record of 38-4. They lost in last season's state tournament to Central Pointe Christian Academy, 56-40. She had three three-pointers against Dream City Christian Academy and seven steals in a game against Southern Arizona Volunteers Prep. She also plays for her club team, Arizona Stars GBB. One scout's evaluation of her play: "She has strength and will play at the college level. Malia has a high-level catch-and-shoot technique, is a gritty defender, and the definition of a gym rat." She is considered a selfless teammate and is a very physical player. Playing for Head Coach Isaac Hymes, she also led her team in assists. PHH Prep returns a number of players and should have another outstanding season in 2022-2023.   EVALUATION: Malia is considered a physical guard. She has improved her shooting significantly over the last year including shots from beyond the arc. She is also thought of as a great teammate while she gets the entire team involved in the PHH Prep offense. But she stands out as a defender, having seven steals in one game and six in another. She should have a great senior season.     [player_tooltip player_id='208236' first='REESE last='SELLERS'] - is a 5-6 point and shooting guard who plays for Yuma Catholic. She has a 4.00 GPA and, as a junior, was selected to the All-Region team. One scout commented on her game: "She can do it all. She can handle pressure, finish at the rim and knock down shots from the perimeter. Reese had a breakout AAU season over the spring and summer and is beginning to attract attention from college coaches all over the nation." As a junior, she averaged 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 steals per game. Another scout commented on Reese's game: "Look for her to have a huge senior season and continue to grab offers from college coaches. To date, she has offers from Presentation College (NAIA), University of Southwest (NAIA), Lake Forest College (D-III), and Northland College (D-III). Reese also plays soccer, volleyball, and track and field. In 35 soccer games, she has 72 goals and as a member of the volleyball team, she has a total of 396 career kills.   EVALUATION: A versatile four-sport athlete, Reese has great court awareness and is a natural leader. She is a gritty defensive player and leads her team in steals. Offensively, she has improved both her shooting and ball-handling skills. She runs the fast break well and gets all of her teammates involved in the Yuma Catholic offense. She should have an outstanding senior season.   [player_tooltip player_id='138094' first='BELLA' last='BARRETT'] - is a 6-0 small forward who plays for Arizona Elite Prep in Buckeye. One scout's evaluation: "She is an elite size for a guard, good length, has a mature game but needs improvement in both her confidence and understanding the speed of the game. She now plays for Verrado High School. Another scout commented on Bella's game: "She is a finesse guard and developing a perimeter skill set. She shoots for range and can handle the ball. Her motor and competitiveness were called into question early but she quickly made adjustments and improved very much in these areas. Camp, for first-timers, can be intimidating but I was impressed by how well she took to instruction, coaching, and skill development. Bella averaged 11.1 points and 8.4 rebounds as a sophomore with Verrado going 18-2 overall. She averaged 7.9 points and 8.2 rebounds as a freshman. As a sophomore, she was selected as Player of the Game by Max Preps a total of seven different times. Her coach, Vernon Beard. had this to say about Bella: "What I appreciate more than anything is her basketball IQ. We talk the game and about certain situations, and why we do the things we do."   EVALUATION: Bella has an outstanding work ethic and is improving every year as both an offensive and defensive player. She is extremely coachable and her confidence in her athletic abilities continues to grow. Bella is also an outstanding rebounder on both ends of the court and plays a strong team defense. She should be ready for an outstanding senior year.     [player_tooltip player_id='208030' first='MIYAH last='VERSE'] - is a 6-0 senior wing who plays for Mountain Ridge High School. A scout commented on her game: "Her small quick-twitch shooting stroke is a problem for defenders. She carries a high-level offensive versatility for her team and can be a dynamic player at the next level. As a freshman at Flagstaff High School - before transferring - she averaged almost a double-double - 13.5 points and 9.7 rebounds. That season she hit on 49% of her two-point field goal attempts. Another scout had this to say: "She can really do it all. She uses her strength and speed to get by defenders and finish through contact. She also has a very good feel for the game and is an exceptional passer as her team won the 2022 Summer Classic. Miyah is an all-around talent capable of playing many positions at the next level. Look for her to be a standout player in 2022-2023." To date, she has had a number of college scholarship offers. The schools include Syracuse, Washington State, Penn State, Michigan State, Marquette, Grand Canyon, Illinois, Mississippi State, Colorado, Georgia, and Illinois. There clearly will be more throughout her senior season.   EVALUATION: Miyah is a bonafide Division I prospect that has had double-digit offers from colleges across the country. She is an outstanding talent at both ends of the floor and can play multiple positions. As a freshman, she nearly averaged a double-double. She has a real feel for the game, plays well on the defensive end, and should be ready for an outstanding senior season.