Former Arizona high school basketball players in March Madness
Arizona has produced great high school basketball talent over the decades, from Fat Lever and Sean Elliott in Tucson, to Mark Alarie, Brad Lohaus, Mike Bibby and Richard Jefferson in Phoenix, players have used their high school success to catapult them into standout college careers, some getting to the top.
Here is a list of former Arizona high school basketball players who are part of teams playing in the NCAA Tournament this week. Six of them play for Grand Canyon, the No. 12 seed in the West, which opens Friday night at 7:05 against No. 5 Saint Mary's College at Spokane Arena.
Noah Amenhauser, Grand Canyon
The 7-foot freshman from Goodyear Estrella Foothills has been a Havocs favorite, getting the biggest ovations during mop-up time of home games. He was coming off knee surgery his senior year in high school. He's a work in progress whose heart and passion for the game is infectious.
Dylan Anderson, Arizona
The two-time All-Arizona 7-footer from Gilbert Perry is part of the No. 2-seed Wildcats team that is headed to Salt Lake City to play No. 15 Long Beach State in the first round of the West Region on Thursday.
Josh Baker, Grand Canyon
Starred at Tempe McClintock, the senior has played key roles, if only briefly in games, for the Lopes this season. He's known for his tough defense and ability to hit 3-pointers.
Jovan Blacksher Jr., Grand Canyon
The senior guard, who won four state championships at Phoenix Shadow Mountain, has had an uphill battle to get back to playing the way he once had after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL that wiped out the second half of last season. He didn't play his first game until mid-December, and, at times, his minutes were sparse and was rarely on the court at the end of games. But Blacksher was on the court late in two nail-biting WAC Tournament wins, including a 14-point performance in the win over UT Arlington for the school's third championship in four years. He has always been very good in tournament games.
Kylan Boswell, Arizona
The point guard came from AZ Compass Prep, where he was part of a program challenging for a national high school championship. When he's on, the Wildcats can flat blow teams out.
Duke Brennan, Grand Canyon
The former Gilbert Perry and Hillcrest forward has started every game for the Lopes since transferring after his freshman season from Arizona State. His toughness in the paint has been crucial for GCU to pull out some gritty wins on its way to a Division I-record 29 victories.
DaRon Holmes II, Dayton
He's maybe the best of the high-flying Flyers, leading Dayton to a No. 7 seed against No. 10 Nevada in the first round of the West Region in Salt Lake City. He was the Gatorade Arizona Player of the Year during his sophomore and junior seasons at Goodyear Millennium, before playing his last year at AZ Compass Prep during the COVID year when, for a while, it was in doubt whether there would be an AIA season.
Jaelen House, New Mexico
He led the Lobos to four wins in four days, capping it with 28 points and three steals in an upset of San Diego State for the Mountain West Conference championship, earning MVP honors. He teamed up with Blacksher in the Shadow Mountain backcourt during the Matadors' dynasty run of four straight state titles. They've been best friends since AAU youth days.
K.J. Hymes, Nevada
He is one of the best comeback stories in the tournament. The former Phoenix St. Mary's and Hillcrest Prep player overcame a back injury that almost ended his career to help the Wolf Pack gain a No. 10 seed in the West Regional. The pain was so excruciating it led to sleepless nights and the 6-foot-10 forward wondered if it was worth coming back to play. But he averaged 16 minutes and six rebounds, a key member in its run to the NCAA Tournament.
Isaac Hymes, Nevada
He played two years at Millennium under coach Ty Amundsen. The 6-9 guard and K.J.'s brother is a freshman on the Nevada roster.
Oso Ighodaro, Marquette
The 6-11 junior forward led Phoenix Desert Vista to the 6A state championship in 2020. He is now part of a No. 2 seed from the South, starting for 25-9, averaging 14 points and 6.9 rebounds.
Gabe McGlothan, Grand Canyon
He is a sixth-year graduate forward, the heart and soul of GCU's team, heading into his third NCAA Tournament for the Lopes. He led Chandler Basha to its only state championship in 2017.
Malcolm Flaggs, Grand Canyon
He came with his best friend Brennan from ASU in the offseason transfer move. He's been like a coach on the bench for Brennan, and gets into games late during blowouts.
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Grant Weitman, Arizona
The 6-4 guard who played at Tucson Salpointe Catholic has appeared in 17 games this season.
Will Menaugh, Arizona
The 6-10 center arrived as a walk-on from Tucson Catalina Foothills, where he was a force. He has appeared during blowouts at the end of games.
Elijah Saunders, San Diego State
The former Phoenix Sunnyslope star, who led the Vikings to a state title as a junior, has been a big factor for the Aztecs as they try to make another Final Four run.
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Tru Washington, New Mexico
He is a part of the Lobos' roster as a freshman, after playing in his prep career at Laveen Cesar Chavez, Phoenix Mountain Pointe and AZ Compass Prep.
Cody Williams, Colorado
The 6-8 true freshman who helped Perry win the Open title in 2023 has been so good that NBA draft experts have him as a lottery pick this summer.
To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @azc_obert
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Former Arizona high school basketball players in March Madness
