From Deseret News archives:

Who's the state's next college hoops standout?

The present and future of Utah college hoops

Published: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 12:25 a.m. MDT
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Who will be in the next wave of Utah high school basketball stars?

Who are the stud players who will fill in for Riverton's Ute signee Morgan Grimm, just named Mr. Basketball by the Deseret Morning News? And who is the next Chris Collinsworth, Utah's 2007 Gatorade Player of the Year, headed for BYU?

Here's a scan of some notes taken by coaches, recruiters and veteran observers of top Utah players. They're all underclassmen heading into the 2007-08 season. Many are involved in AAU tournaments this summer.

Class of 2008

JORDAN STONE, 6-9, 240, Sky View — Big, powerful body, a player who needs skill development and ball handling skills, things for which Stew Morrill is willing to wait. Already committed to sign with the Aggies heading into his senior year.

BEN AIRD, 6-9, 250, Bountiful — Was offered by Utah as a ninth-grader but since then has gained weight and is working on his mobility.

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Good skills, great hands, good finisher and free throw shooter with a 10-12 foot range on his shot. Will play the post. Out-maneuvered bigger players in the Easter Classic AAU tournament where he hit the winning bucket and free throws to defeat the Houston Hoops in quadruple overtime.

JACE TAVITA, 6-4, Brighton — Is now at Patterson Prep Academy in North Carolina trying to qualify for Division I play. If qualified, Tavita would easily be the most recruited player in the state. Can dominate at the point and play shooting guard. Strong, fast and has great hops. Utah may have the in-state edge if he gets his academics in order. The Utes have an offer on the table if Patterson Prep works.

NICK THOMPSON, 6-8, Clearfield — A transfer student from Oklahoma, who dribbles, finishes harder and higher than BYU-bound Collinsworth but isn't the defender Collinsworth is, nor does he have Collinsworth's shooting range. He has a nice soft touch around the basket but playing for a team without much guard help to set him up.

HOLTON HUNSAKER, 6-0, Woods Cross — A point guard and the son of UVSC coach Dick Hunsaker, may take his 4.0 GPA to an Ivy League school. A hard-nosed, good ballhandler with decent range as a veteran floor leader and defender.

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