Five Top Small Forwards for the Class of 2024

Arizona’s prep freshman class for 2024 is loaded with versatile small forwards. Here’s a look at the top five candidates: &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="205647" first=<strong>"Maureen</strong>" last="<strong>Ulrich</strong>"] is a 5-8 small forward who plays for Xavier Prep as well as the Arizona Rebels. She played soccer before switching to basketball and is now one of four freshman guards on the Xavier team. She has played in a number of grassroots events and has been invited to a number of camps and competitions including the Rising Stars Elite Camp, the AZGR Diamond Classic, and the Labor Day Classic. Maureen, along with other players on her high school team, is taking a weightlifting class to improve her overall strength. Xavier Preps Head Coach Jennifer Gillom believes Maureen, "is starting to turn into a very good player for us. Her work ethic is impeccable." She is a good team defender and rebounder and, even as a freshman, a fierce competitor. Maureen is also a physical player and can handle, shoot the ball, and defend. She is becoming a legitimate college threat with three years to go. She received 6A Honorable Mention status from AZPreps365 for her play in 2020-2021. Maureen is also a Campus Outreach Officer and has three brothers, two of which are twins. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="205654" first="<strong>Thalia"</strong> last="<strong>Daniels</strong>"] is a small forward for Sandra Day O’Connor High School in Phoenix. She can also play point forward and shooting guard. The Eagles finished the 2021 campaign with a 12-5 record. Thalia, as a freshman, averaged 5.4 points per game and 3.5 rebounds per game. She shot 45% from the field and led the team with 43% from behind the arc. She also plays club ball with Arizona Elite and will be playing in a number of tournaments in the spring and summer - including the Southwest Showcase - later in May. She is ranked #18 among the class of 2024 by Prep Girls Hoops. Thalia is long, versatile, and athletic with a good three-point shot. She is also considered a very good shot blocker and defender and is able to rebound and then bring the ball up the floor. Her 6A Eagles return a number of players and should be able to make a run for a State Championship in 2022. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="205655" first="<strong>Madison"</strong> last="<strong>Brown</strong>"] is a 5-9 small forward for Desert Vista High School and also plays for Arizona Elite. She recently competed in the 15U tournament at the Diamond Classic. She will also be competing in the Grand Invitational in  Phoenix. As a freshman this past winter, Madison played for Head Coach David Williams. The Thunder finished with an overall 12-5 record and was 5-3 in their region. Many players return for 2021-2022 and they could make a run for the State Championship. Madison showed signs of being an offensive threat this past season. She has a strong mid-range jump shot, can hit the spot-up three, and handle the ball on the floor. She also finds ways to get open, is considered a strong rebounder, and is solid as a one-on-one defender. Madison can also slide over on defense to block shots, Her overall ability is high on the charts and can only improve over the next three years. She should be a big-time high school player very shortly. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="205659" first=<strong>"Mia</strong>" last="<strong>Burgess</strong>"] is a 5-8 small forward for Canyon View High School. She also plays for GiveNGo, her grassroots team. Mia will be playing in a number of tournaments this spring and summer including the Grand Invitational later in May and the Southwest Showcase Summer Championship. She will be playing in the 17U bracket. Canyon View made the playoffs last year in the school’s second varsity season. Located in Waddell, CVHS finished the season with an overall 9-5 record in the 5A Desert West region. While Mia averaged only 1.1 points and 3.0 rebounds per game, she showed improvement as the season progressed, both offensively and defensively. Mia made the Sports360AZ All-Academic First Team in 2021 with a weighted 4.0 GPA. With many returners to next year’s team, Canyon View should make a strong playoff run. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="263393" first="<strong>Cayci</strong>" last="<strong>Muessig</strong>"] is a 5-9 small forward for Ridgeline Academy in Phoenix. Her grassroots team is the Arizona Rebels. The Eagles finished the season with an overall 17-5 record and 6-1 in their region. As a freshman in 2021, Cayci averaged 17.7 points per game, 5.1 rebounds per game, and 4.2 steals per game. She was selected by the Canyon Athletic Association as a Division I First-Team All-State player. Cayci has been playing basketball since she was 8 and is now only 14 with a great career ahead of her. In one game last February, Cayci lit it up against Paradise Valley Prep by scoring 27 points, having 10 rebounds and 9 assists. She also had five three-pointers in that game. Against Madison Highland Prep she had 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 steals. For the 2020-2021 season, Cayci was selected Player of the Game five times -  among them against Trinity Christian, City Christian Academy, Paradise Valley Prep, and Berean Academy. The sky is the limit for her as she gets ready for her sophomore year.