When someone has been around the game as long as Sam Duane Jr. you begin to develop a barometer for players who have a different way about them that makes them elite.

It’s one of those things that fall into the “You know it when you see it” categories.

Koa Peat had it.

“On Day 1 of his freshman year we were like, 'He’s a pro,' ” Duane said. “They are just at different level and they carry themselves different. That game is slowed down for them and their game is way different than everyone else.”

Peat was taken in the first round by the Dallas Mavericks and then traded him to the New York Knicks, and then was traded to the Suns, who didn’t have a first round pick, soon there after to bring the Perry product in Arizona after one year of playing at the University of Arizona.

The Suns acquired Peat from the Knicks by giving up three second-round picks and some cash considerations.

“Excited to be a Suns man,” Peat said on a Instagram post. “Excited to stay home, man. Bear down. Let’s go man.”

Duane, who was at the Peat home for the draft, said there was talk of the trade and some speculation, but they didn’t want to get ahead of themselves before it actually happened.

And then it officially happened.

“I was nervous, and then it was elation,” he said. “It really sunk it after the draft. Oh, wow. He gets to stay home.”

Duane has had five former players make it to the NBA from his time coaching at Corona del Sol and Perry.

Marvin Bagley III and Saben Lee from the Aztecs and the Williams brothers – Jalen and Cody – and Peat from Perry.

Peat made a huge splash with the Wildcats in his first game when he scored 30 points and had seven rebounds in a win over No. 3 Florida.

The 6-foot-8 power forward finished the season averaging 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists in his one season with the Wildcats, who made it to the Final Four.

Peat, who won four state titles with Perry, may not make as big of splash in his first NBA game, but Duane feels like his former big man will be able to transition into the next level.

“I think it is a good spot for him,” Duane said. “He will bring some power, and intensity. He plays aggressively. People see his size and power, but they don’t realize his basketball IQ and understanding of the game is off the charts.

“He will make the transition well. He burst on to the scene (at Arizona) but there was some transition to speed of the game after that and he had to make some adjustments. I think it will be similar in the NBA. He will have to adjust to the size and speed of the game but he will be good once he figures it out.”

What the Suns are getting without a doubt is a winner considering what the Pumas and Wildcats have done over the last five seasons.

“He has so much passion to win,” Duane said. “It is one of the things that separates him. He will find a niche, and a role with the Suns and do whatever he can to help them win.”

Gatorade POY

The Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year honors for softball and baseball.

In softball, it was Queen Creek junior Emma Reynolds. The 5-foot-11 junior shortstop posted a .588 batting average with 10 home runs and 65 runs scored this past season, leading the Bulldogs (31-2) to the Conference 6A state championship game for a third straight year.

In baseball, it was Saguaro catcher Alain Gomez-Gudino as the 6-foot senior hit .455, hit six home runs and 35 RBIs with a 1.332 OPS in helping the Sabercats to the 4A state title.

Section 7 finalist

The Mountain Pointe girls basketball team advanced to the ABCA bracket at Section 7 last weekend and lost 42-39 in the finals to Canyon View.

In addition to Mountain Pointe senior Amara Mask, a couple of freshman showed promise for the Pride as Karmah Mitchell scored 14 points and Serenity Fields made a couple of 3-pointers.

Ms. Everything

Arizona College Prep’s Katelyn Dilworth continues to show off all of her athletic talents.

A day after being selected an Arizona Cardinal All-Star for flag football, she finished seventh in the javelin at the Nike National Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore.

Dillworth, who also plays basketball and baseball, has also be invited to play in the AEX Flag Football All-American Bowl at IMG Academy in Florida.