Unheralded Freshmen Under the Radar for 2026

INTRODUCTION: Arizona has a number of outstanding freshmen that played under the radar in 2023. Here's a profile of five of them.   [player_tooltip player_id='594258' first='Cierra' last='Willis'] - is a 5-6 freshman point guard for American Leadership Academy - Ironwood High School. She had three 3-pointers in one game, three steals in another, and a double-double vs. ALA Anthem South. In 21 games, she averaged 12.2 points per game, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 steals. The Warriors were blown out in one game against Valley Christian (79-28) but one scout was impressed with her play: "Willis, as a freshman, led the Warriors with 16 points and was the go-to player when it came to offense." Head Coach Rose Peterson had this to say about her point guard: "As a freshman, she has been a nice addition to our program. We're trying to give her the support she needs to elevate her and then elevate the other players."   EVALUATION: Even as a freshman, Cierra is both a vocal and team leader for ALA. She improved her offensive game as the season went on and ended the season averaging over 12 points per game. Offensively, she has become the go-to person, and defensively, her anticipation has made all of her teammates better. She is now ready for a breakout sophomore season.   [player_tooltip player_id='594251' first='Alaysia' last='White'] - is a 5-6 freshman shooting guard for Coolidge High School. In 24 games last season, she averaged 9.2 points along with 6.3 rebounds and 2.9 steals. She also plays on the Coolidge volleyball team. She had four fast-break baskets against American Leadership Academy, a double-double vs. San Tan Foothills, and six steals in a game against Florence. As a freshman, she was selected by Max Preps as Player of the Game three different times during January and February. She led her team in field goal percentage (45%) and was second in steals. Playing in the 3A South Central Conference, Alaysia made All-Region first team and Honorable Mention, All-Pinal County. She also recorded 32 kills while playing in 34 sets for the volleyball team.   EVALUATION: Even as a freshman, Alaysia showed strong leadership skills as she developed both her offensive and defensive game. She averaged over nine points a game on offense and, on defense, she had six steals in Coolidge's game against Florence. She also had a double-double in another game and four fast-break baskets vs. ALA. Her overall game is only going to get better as she becomes a sophomore in August.   [player_tooltip player_id='588554' first='Emma' last='Slack'] - is a 5-5 freshman shooting guard for Dream City Christian High School. Emma played parts of a varsity season while a seventh and eighth grader and was selected three times by Max Preps as Player of the Game in December, 2019. She is ranked as the #5 shooting guard at her position as a freshman. Emma plays in the Canyon Athletic Association and averaged 21.9 points per game this past season and was ranked ninth among Arizona high school scorers. DCC won the 2023 CAA Open State Championship. Her DCC Head Coach, Alan Mitchell, commented on her game: "She is clutch, fearless, tenacious, and coachable. She makes her teammates better and is the loudest one on the bench." A scout commented as well: "She was a reliable shooter all year but really caught fire in the playoffs. She was a strong contributor to DCC's Open Championship."   EVALUATION: Emma had an outstanding freshman season for DCC, averaging over 21 points per game and helping her team win the Canyon Athletic Association Open State Championship. She is skilled as both a shooter and ball-handler and gets all of her teammates involved in the game. Her coach commented that she is both a clutch shooter and a very coachable player.   [player_tooltip player_id='598326' first='Markayla' last='Shirley'] - is a 5-4 freshman point guard for Chandler High School. In 30 games last season, she averaged 9.7 points per game along with 2.4 assists and 2.3 rebounds. Chandler lost in the AIA state tournament last February to Sandra Day O'Connor, 67-48. During the season, she had four three-pointers against Maricopa and four steals in a game against Mullen High School. As a freshman, she was selected as Player of the Game by Max Preps a total of 11 different times. As an eighth grader, her middle school team - Fountain Hills - went undefeated for the entire season.   EVALUATION: Markayla finished an outstanding season as a freshman for the Lady Wolves. She averaged nearly 10 points a game and played a key role for Chandler as both a scorer and playmaker. She also played tough team defense and has become a leader for her team, both on and off the court. She should have three more outstanding years for the Lady Wolves.   [player_tooltip player_id='489170' first='Brooke' last='Nowak'] - is a 5-9 freshman point guard for both Notre Dame Prep and her club team, AZ Elite. She is second on her team in three-point field goal percentage. In 28 games as a freshman, she averaged 7.7 points per game, to go along with 2.7 rebounds and 2.1 steals. Playing in the 5A Northeast Valley Section, ND Prep finished with an overall 19-9 record and 7-1 in their conference. Brooke is ranked as the second-best freshman in the state at her position. With a 70-inch wingspan, she is becoming a national prospect and recruiting should begin at the start of her sophomore year.   EVALUATION: Brooke had a tremendous freshman year for the Lady Saints, averaging nearly eight points a game. She is currently the second-ranked freshman at her position in the state. With a 70-inch wingspan, she is a near terror on defense, causing both turnovers and deflections. Brooke is only going to get better and she will begin to be nationally recruited this coming season.

INTRODUCTION: Arizona has a number of outstanding freshmen that played under the radar in 2023. Here's a profile of five of them.