When discussing the most improved prospects in Arizona’s 2027 class, few players have shown the level of growth and development that Cadence Murdough of Higley High School has displayed over the past several years.
My first introduction to Murdough came during the GC3 Hoops Fall Team Showcase when she was an incoming freshman. Even then, it was easy to see that she possessed intriguing physical tools and untapped potential. Alongside fellow Higley standout point guard Claire Greenwade, the duo immediately showed signs of becoming one of Arizona’s most promising young tandems. Their chemistry, competitiveness, and ability to impact games hinted at a bright future for the Knights program.
As her development continued, Murdough earned an invitation to the prestigious GC3 Hoops FAB 100 Showcase, an event featuring many of the top prospects throughout Arizona. Despite being one of the youngest players in attendance, she proved she belonged among the state’s elite. Her performance ultimately earned her a spot in the event’s highly coveted Cream of the Crop Game, featuring the top 16 performers from the showcase. What made that accomplishment even more impressive was that she was one of the few underclassmen selected to compete in the showcase’s premier game.
Fast forward to today, and Murdough has transformed herself into one of the most intriguing wing prospects in Arizona’s 2027 class.
What stands out most about her journey is the evolution of her game. Early in her career, Murdough was primarily known as a rim runner who utilized her size, motor, and finishing ability around the basket. While those traits remain strengths, she has developed into something much more valuable—a legitimate wing prospect capable of impacting the game in multiple ways.
Her improved ball-handling has allowed her to create opportunities for herself and others. Her passing ability has become one of the more underrated aspects of her game, as she consistently demonstrates high-level court vision and the ability to make advanced reads. Whether operating in transition, attacking off the dribble, or facilitating within the half-court offense, Murdough has become a true setup artist who understands how to exploit defensive weaknesses.
Offensively, she has developed into a legitimate three-level scorer. She can finish through contact at the rim, knock down shots from the mid-range, and stretch defenses from beyond the arc. Her ability to score from multiple areas on the floor makes her difficult to defend and allows her to fit seamlessly into a variety of offensive systems.
Perhaps equally impressive is her basketball IQ. Murdough consistently makes winning plays, processes the game at a high level, and understands how to impact possessions without needing the ball in her hands. Those intangibles have become a major reason for her success and continued growth.
Defensively, her versatility is a major asset. At 6-foot-1, she possesses the size, instincts, and improved athleticism to guard multiple positions. She can effectively defend guards on the perimeter while also matching up against forwards and post players when needed. Her ability to switch and defend positions one through five provides tremendous value in today’s game.
Her development has translated directly into team success. As a junior, Murdough played a pivotal role in helping lead Higley High School to one of the most successful seasons in program history, culminating in a trip to the AIA Open Division Elite Eight and helping elevate the Knights into statewide prominence.
The combination of size, skill development, versatility, and basketball intelligence makes Murdough a prospect worthy of significant college attention.
For mid-major programs looking to add a player who can contribute in multiple areas while continuing to grow at the collegiate level, Cadence Murdough deserves serious evaluation. Her progression over the years has been remarkable, and she continues to show that her ceiling remains far from reached.
Programs searching for a foundational piece who can score, facilitate, defend, and positively impact winning should take notice.
Cadence Murdough is ready for her opportunity.
And for the programs willing to invest in her future, the return could be substantial.
