2020 All-State boys basketball team
The News Tribune/The Olympian’s 2020 All-State boys basketball team features the top players across the state of Washington, spanning all classifications, from 4A to 1B.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Tari Eason, Garfield
Forward, 6-8, senior
After spending his junior season at Federal Way High School, playing alongside Jaden McDaniels, Tari Eason ended his high school career at Garfield High School, where he had spent his freshman and sophomore seasons. And he went out on top, with the Bulldogs winning the Class 3A state title, beating five-star recruit Paolo Banchero and Metro League peer O’Dea in the tournament championship game at the Tacoma Dome, 69-44. The 3A Metro first-team selection and Cincinnati commit averaged 22.3 points and 15.7 rebounds per game in his senior season.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Jason Griffith, Mount Si
After a runner-up finish in the 2019 Class 4A state tournament, where the Wildcats lost to an Anton Watson-led Gonzaga Prep team, Mount Si wasn’t going to be denied this time around, beating Central Valley in this year’s 4A championship game, 58-47. Mount Si compiled a 26-4 record, a perfect 13-0 mark in the KingCo and dominated every opponent in the state tournament, winning all three of its games in the Tacoma Dome by double digits.
FIRST TEAM
Paolo Banchero, O’Dea
Forward, 6-9, junior
The consensus five-star recruit continued to overpower opponents this season, throwing down jaw-dropping dunks and muscling his way past undersized defenders all the way to the Class 3A title game, where O’Dea lost to Garfield. 3A Metro MVP averaged 23 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Holds offers from Duke, Gonzaga, North Carolina, Kentucky, Washington and others.
Jabe Mullins, Mount Si
Guard, 6-5, senior
The Saint Mary’s commit was brilliant in Mount Si’s Class 4A state championship win over Central Valley, pouring in 26 points for the Wildcats to lead his team to the title and earn state-tournament MVP honors. 4A KingCo MVP averaged 19.1 points and 6.8 assists per game in his senior year.
Tanner Toolson, Union
Guard, 6-5, senior
The 4A Greater Saint Helens League MVP led the Titans to a 27-1 record and third-place finish in the 4A state tournament. Was named “Mr. Basketball” by WIBCA, the state’s coaches association. Averaged 23 points, 8.5 rebounds and three assists for the Titans. Basketball future is undecided while he goes on a two-year Mormon mission after high school. Reclassified as a Class of 2022 recruit and holds offers from Utah Valley, Portland and Boise State.
Kaden Perry, Battle Ground
Center, 6-8, junior
The Gonzaga University commit was a load in the paint all season, averaging 23 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks per game. 4A GSHL first-teamer led the Tigers to back-to-back Class 4A state tournament round-of-12 appearances.
Tyson Degenhart, Mount Spokane
Forward, 6-7, junior
The Boise State commit averaged 25.7 points per game this season for the Wildcats, leading his team to the Class 3A state tournament at the Tacoma Dome. The big man was the 2019-20 Greater Spokane League MVP.
SECOND TEAM
Liam Lloyd, Gonzaga Prep, sr.
Nolan Hickman, Eastside Catholic, jr.
Tyler Lindhart, Kings, soph.
Ryan Moffett, Odessa, sr.
Jackson Grant, Olympia, jr.
This story was originally published March 24, 2020 at 5:11 AM.
