Note from Adam: As the PE takeover at PrepHoops.com has happened, we’re finding more and more people who want to contribute to writing and making ungated content to help promote and share about players in the state of Utah. This site has always been free to read and share. I keep it this way because I was a dad who felt the burden of costs associated with having a player go through the gauntlet of HS hoops. So thanks to Coach Drake, Coach of PharmBoys AAU and at Viewmont, for sharing some notes on players he watched this summer. Of course, he is going to share about the players he coached and I have no problems with it! Please reach out if you want to share or contribute to support@prepbasketball.net…Here’s Coach Drake Darnell!
2028:
Alen Hadzialijagic - scores at all 3 levels as a 5. One of the best passers in the state. Played as an offensive hub for a Team Utah team that had a great spring and summer. If he gets the ball in a post up on the block he’s scoring every time. At the top of the key he can score in the midrange of the dribble as well as shoot from 3. Would not be surprised at all if he put up multiple triple double at Cyprus this year. Kid is really really good.
Easton Hansen - Offensively he is a top 3 player in the state this age (UHSAA). Yes I know there is lots of talent this age but this kid is the goods. Obviously he played for me so I watched him a ton. There was not a team that could stop him all year. Teams tried length, size, speed all of that and nothing could slow him down. Averaged 20+ this spring and summer and averaged 15 as a sophomore at Fremont. He’s a top 10 player through and through. The scoring shows it but he has a very complete game. He’s got to get better defensively but definitely isn’t a liability. As a passer and ball handler he’s incredible. Doesn’t turn the ball over and makes the right read even as a big time scorer. He will average upwards of 18 5 and 5 at Fremont this year.
Troy Kaufusi - he’s really good at everything!
Brett Tovey - I promise you this will be the second biggest riser in the state of Utah by the end of high school season. already a honorable mention all state guy at Viewmont as a sophomore and he didn’t touch the varsity floor until region play. This kid is ridiculously good. Earlier this spring him and Troy had one of the funnest matchups I’ve seen in a while. Averaged around 8 5 and 3 as a sophomore on a team loaded with seniors and senior guards at that. Has grown to 6’2 and will keep growing. Can guard all 5 positions cause of his athleticism and iq. He will be the guy at Viewmont this year. I have never been around a kid who plays with a motor like him. Shot 49% from three at the varsity level last year. Can get to the hoop whenever he wants and has some of the best vision from a guard in the state. He will give coaches nightmares. He similarly to Alen will probably also put up multiple triple doubles this coming year but Brett is a point guard. He’s smart skilled and has a motor and wants to be good. He is the starting quarterback as well so he’s an athlete but basketball will be his sport. He is on an unreal trajectory he was on the sophomore team to start this year and finished as our go to guy on varsity. He’s a top 15 player this age and if you seen him play you’ll agree.
Kingston Tapusoa - another guy I got to watch a ton on the Puma circuit from Team Utah. He is one of the most underrated pure point guards in the state. I believe he will get some good run with Corner Canyon this year. Very smooth guard who is unreal at running an offense. Finds his bigs in all the right spots and throws shooters open. He can shoot pretty well but his first step and change of speed and direction makes him a very hard cover. As a point guard he was and is one of my favorite guys in the state to watch play. He will be a stud this year.
Lincoln Zimmerman - got to watch him both with his AAU team and with AF. He is very similar to Alen. Great passer who can handle and score but his motor and defensive ability is very impressive for his build. He will be the X factor for AF but I’m a big fan of him and his play style.
Tayton Pace - one of my favorite lower classification guys. Can score at an unreal clip. Only watched him for a half but he elevates everyone around him
Hudson Fishburn - Brett will be the second biggest riser after high school season cause of Hudson being first. This kid is special. Was hurt last high school season and didn’t play till the back end but got a little varsity run at Fremont. This kid will be top 5 in the state in 3 pointers made. Led ALL of NXT and Pro16 in 3 pointers made on the circuit this year with missing a tournament cause of an ankle fracture. If he’s hitting, Fremont becomes dangerous with him and Easton. They are cousins so they have some chemistry. They both play AAU for me so I’ve seen them a lot. He’s in a system now with coach Cosby being the coach there where he has the ultimate green light and when I say this kid is in range the second he passes half court I mean that. He will average 15-18ppg this year. He has a shot where even when contested he still can and probably will hit it. He is a great defender who will probably guard the opposing teams best player every game too so he plays on both ends. Fairly unknown name now but people need to buy stock in him now cause after high school season it won’t be a surprise anymore. I’ve coached and played with a lot of great scorers and shooters. Hudson is the best of them all on that regard.
Ethan Schultz - another Viewmont and guy I coach in AAU very underrated but with his size and skill will be a nightmare for a lot of teams to gameplan against. He’s a stud of a scorer as well. Needs to put it all together still but when he does it’s gonna be impressive.
Kade Andersen - plays over at American heritage. Very very skilled player. I believe he’s played a lot of varsity last year but he’s a 6’4 ish athlete that has a smooth stroke and can guard all over the court. He is an absolute stud of a player. He will be a big factor in the state this year. He is the host family for Josue Kajinga who played with our 17u team so Kade practices with us a lot he played in one event with us before he had some ankle issues. He’s a smooth player who will be good.
Evan Willis - just moved here to go to Utah prep but he was on the Pro16 circuit with us. He played up in 17u. Kid is unreal. (Adam’s note: Evan has had the best offer posts over on X)
I tried to keep it to some newer guys that aren’t talked about as much as well as obviously the guys I watched a lot. Here’s my top 25 list:
1 Evan Willis
2 Troy Kaufusi
3 Jayden Cecil
4 Tchoyi Bryant
5 Stra Zelic
6 Josh Tolman
7 Alen Hadzialijagic
8 Oscar Keegan
9 Easton Hansen
10 Dieter Tuitavuki
11 Kalou Ruot
12 Jordan Horsley
13 Brett Tovey
14 Jack Layton
15 Lincoln Zimmerman
16 Drew Faddis
17 Jrue Miller
18 Owen Barney
19 Carson Edmunds
20 Kingston Tapusoa
21 Jackson Ford
22 Hudson Fishburn
23 Knox Westenkow
24 Kobe Ross
25 Tayton Pace