18 must-see boys basketball players in Boise area, including a Top 100 national recruit
Your memory doesn’t deceive you. Underclassmen filled an abnormally large role on Treasure Valley boys basketball teams’ stat sheets last year.
That means the region returns jam-packed with returning all-state selections and conference players of the year. Repeat awards are no guarantee, though, not with a new class of talented players flooding into the region.
We surveyed all the high school boys basketball coaches in District Three, and these were the top players they have an eye on this winter.
Liam Campbell, Owyhee
Rated the No. 76 player in the country by ESPN, the USC signee gives the Storm an efficient scoring machine. The 6-5, 195-pound senior guard led the 5A classification with 20.1 points per game last season, shooting 50% from the field while adding 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists a night to make the All-Idaho first team for a second time. His mix of athleticism, nonstop motor and deadly midrange jumper make him almost impossible to guard one-on-one. “He has to be everyone’s unanimous player to watch,” Capital coach Blas Telleria said. “He’s too talented not to be.”
Logan Haustveit, Owyhee
The point guard quickly made a name for himself last season, making the 5A All-Idaho first team as a freshman and leading Mountain View to the state tournament. No moment was too big for him, and he racked up 16 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.6 steals per game. He transferred to Owyhee in the offseason, where he’ll have loads of weapons to work with. “He is tremendous with the ball,” Boise coach Manny Varela said. “He is able to score consistently but also does a great job of creating for those around him.”
Jackson Rasmussen, Owyhee
The 6-7 junior forward is already a three-year starter and reigning All-Idaho selection, and he starts the season with an offer from Idaho. The 5A SIC defensive player of the year can lock down opponents at any position. He also presents a matchup nightmare on the other end as a big body who can finish in the paint and on the perimeter, evidenced by his 10.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks last season. “He is a tough, physical post with size,” Timberline coach Travis Noble said. “He is hard to handle anywhere near the basket.”
Ryan Baker, Meridian
The Warriors often asked the senior guard to facilitate the offense last year. But Baker took over the postseason, leading Meridian on a Cinderella run to the state finals with clutch shot after clutch shot. He returns with second-team All-Idaho honors under his belt after averaging 13.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists a year ago. The state now knows what a danger he poses. “He’s a great scorer who can make really tough shots,” Borah coach Jeremy Dennis said. “You have to account for Ryan at all times because he can score in bunches.”
Russell Gibson, Eagle
The point guard, now a senior, wasted little time asserting himself as one of the state’s top distributors last season. After returning from Utah, he led the 5A classification with 5.8 assists per game. But he’s no one-trick pony. He added 10.3 points per game while shooting 39% behind the arc, punishing anyone who dared overlook him as a scorer. “He’s a savvy point guard who knows how to play,” Kuna coach Paul Egwuonwu said. “He’s a game changer and will be the catalyst for his team.”
Alex Ko, Timberline
He took the 5A SIC by storm last season, averaging 12.1 points per game as a sophomore. He can blow past defenders on the dribble, and he scores efficiently both inside and out. He’s now a veteran hand as the lone returning starter for the Wolves, one given the keys to the offense. “Alex is an extremely hard worker who plays super hard and can really stretch the floor from 3,” Owyhee coach Andy Harrington said. “He is relentless with his effort.”
Javonte Boles, Ridgevue
Already a three-year starter, the 6-6 junior forward gives opponents fits. His length clogs the paint. He has a sixth sense for collecting rebounds. And he can score from all three levels offensively. It all added up to 14 points and nine rebounds a game a year ago for a spot on the all-4A SIC first team. He starts as one of the favorites for the league player of the year. “He is a very skilled big man that is tough to stop inside,” Skyview coach Aaron Sanders said.
Rakeem Johnson, Bishop Kelly
If you think the Oregon State football commit was a monster on the gridiron, wait until you see him on the hardwood. The 6-3, 255-pound senior forward anchors the Knights’ defense as an athletic wall who intimidates anyone who dares enter the paint. He averaged 6.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.1 blocks a year ago, and won the 4A SIC’s defensive player of the year award.
Jace Martinez, Vallivue
The three-year starter and senior guard has seen it all for the Falcons. He broke onto the varsity team as a freshman, so he’s faced all kinds of defenses designed to slow him down. But he keeps producing anyway, pouring in 17 points per game last season for a spot on the all-4A SIC first team. “He’s a smooth guard who can light you up if he is not defended well,” Caldwell coach Rick Tigges said.
Peyton Johnson, Parma
Hold your breath once the senior guard/forward puts the ball on the floor, because you might see something special. Johnson is a nightmare to defend off the dribble with an array of moves and a nose for getting to the basket. He racked up 18.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists while getting to the free-throw line at will a year ago for a spot on the all-3A SRV first team. “He scores in so many ways,” Homedale coach Cam Long said. “It’s really hard to try and slow him down.”
Mike Foster, McCall-Donnelly
The 6-6, 215-pound junior power forward presents a conundrum for opponents. His raw strength makes him a beast in the paint. But he’s no lumbering load, and he can stretch defenses with his 3-point range. He averaged 8.0 points and 8.0 rebounds last season to make the all-3A SRV second team. “He’s a force to deal with,” Weiser coach Ron Shirts said. “He runs the floor very well.”
Cutter Beus, Melba
Described by multiple coaches as a guard in a 6-8 body, the senior racked up 13.6 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game last season. He shot 59% from the floor and 37% behind the 3-point line, earning him a spot on the 2A All-Idaho second team. “He is a 6-8, stretch 4-man who is the best player in our league,” New Plymouth coach Jeff Lavender said. “He can take bigger players outside and shoot 3-point shots. Or, if you defend him with a guard, he will post them up and score on the inside. I’m sure he will play somewhere in college.”
Tyson Hughes, Ambrose
The 2A Western Idaho Conference’s leading scorer returns for a shot to defend his scoring crown. The senior guard poured in 17.5 points and 5.6 rebounds a year ago for first-team all-conference honors. He filled the basket myriad ways, leaving opponents searching for ways to stop, or least contain, him. “He can shoot from deep, and get to the hoop to create and finish,” Melba coach Spencer Trappett said.
Heath Jarboe, New Plymouth
The 6-5, 230-pound senior center dominates the paint and leaves a trail of helpless defenders in his wake. He posted 16.9 points and 9.4 rebounds per game to make the all-conference first team. So what’s left to prove? He’s out to become a better defender and turn in an even better shooting percentage than last year (58%). “He’s strong and skilled, and will create problems for every team,” Cole Valley Christian coach Dan Waldeck said.
Noah Palomares, Victory Charter
His future may lie on the baseball diamond, where he’s committed to Northwest Nazarene. But the senior guard is also one of the state’s top scoring threats on the hardwood. He’s already topped 1,000 career points and recorded the first triple-double in school history. He was the 1A Division I WIC Player of the Year and made the All-Idaho first team last year while averaging 16.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 3.3 steals. “The young man has been a handful since he’s been in the league,” Centennial Baptist coach Brent Mai said. “He is a superior athlete and has a motor that doesn’t quit.”
Jason Koval, Riverstone
Don’t wait to pick up the senior shooting guard once he crosses the half-court line, or you’ll end up watching the ball go through the net. Koval used his long-range shooting, slick handles and nose for the basket to rack up 23.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game for first-team all-conference honors last year. Opponents will cook up all kinds of box-and-one zones and double teams to try to contain him — try being the key word. “He is a player that can change the program,” Wilder coach Eric Lopez said.
Luke Thomas, Liberty Charter
The senior point guard has the range to drain 3-pointers and the quick hands to deliver pinpoint passes to open teammates. But his greatest asset lies between his ears. His heady play and court vision make him a dangerous weapon even 94 feet away from the basket. He averaged 15 points and five assists a year ago for a spot on the all-conference first team. “He’s a tremendous leader on the floor, so smart and knows how to get teammates involved,” Vision Charter coach Jason George said. “He’s a scoring threat and a tremendous defender.”
Tyler Thurston, Cascade
The reigning 1A Division II Long Pin MVP returns looking to lead the Ramblers back to the state tournament. The senior point guard stuffed the stat sheet a year ago, posting 18.4 points, 3.3 assists and 2.3 steals per game all while shooting 38% behind the 3-point line. He remains a feared presence with the ball in his hands. But he’s also stepped up as the team’s unquestioned leader. “He is one of the best scorers in the state,” Council coach JC Tucker said. “He’s a very dynamic guard that can hurt you from anywhere on the floor.”
This story was originally published November 30, 2023 at 5:16 PM.
