As good as Haws was early in his prep career, he developed into a more all-around player through individual time in the gym and practicing at home with his father Marty, a former BYU hoops star.

"He's always put the time in," Lewis said.

Lone Peak folks also heap praise on Haws' character on the court and off. Lewis likes to tell the story about when the team, after a long road trip, forgot to clean up the bus. But when Lewis went to apologize to the bus driver the next day, the driver informed Lewis that Haws stayed after everyone else had left and cleaned up the bus all by himself.

"The guy he is on the court is the same guy he is off the court. He never puts himself on a pedestal as if he's better than anyone else on his team. He's never felt he was entitled to anything," Lewis said.

Haws hopes to compete for a starting spot next year at BYU, or at the very least some significant playing time before he leaves a year later on an LDS Church mission.

"I just want to become the best I can be," Haws said. "I'm going to take college on first and whatever happens after that happens . . . but I want to play next year. I'm going to go in there and show them what I've got, and however I can help the team, I'm going to do it."

Obviously, with so many prep honors and two state titles to his credit, Haws' name always comes up in discussions about where he ranks all-time among Utah's prep greats. Most feel he's for sure among the best two or three in the past four or five decades.

There's at least two, however, who say Haws is the best ever. Lewis' father Tim, who coached many greats at Timpview High, and former Provo High legendary coach Jim Spencer feel Haws belongs right at the top.

"They both say he's the best player they've ever seen in Utah," Lewis said.

E-MAIL: jimr@desnews.com