Carter Bagley Transfer Makes Sunnyslope Arizona’s Team to Beat

The defending Open Division champions may have become even more dangerous.

Former St. Mary’s shooting guard Carter Bagley announced his transfer to Sunnyslope ahead of the 2026–27 high school basketball season, adding another proven contributor to one of Arizona’s deepest rosters.

Bagley is a 6-foot-4 guard in the Class of 2028 who already has experience playing on one of the state’s biggest stages. He contributed to a St. Mary’s team that advanced to its first Open Division championship game before falling to Sunnyslope, 60-51.

Now, Bagley will join the team that ended the Knights’ championship run.

Carter Bagley running out to the court for the Open Division State Championship against Sunnyslope on March 7th, 2026. Jonathan Olden/Bamboo Sports Media

The addition gives Sunnyslope another physical and versatile backcourt option. Bagley has shown an ability to contribute as a shooter, defender and secondary playmaker, giving the Vikings another player who can make an impact without needing the offense to run through him.

Darius Wabbington shoots over Cam Williams during the Open Division State Championship on March 7, 2026. Jonathan Olden/Bamboo Sports Media

That could make him an ideal fit alongside Sunnyslope’s established stars.

The Vikings are expected to return a talented core led by Darius Wabbington and Delton Prescott while also adding former Chandler forward Donovan Palmer. Wabbington is a 6-foot-10 Class of 2027 center and one of the highest-rated prospects in Arizona, while the 6-foot-8 Palmer provides another major presence in the frontcourt.

Sunnyslope’s roster already presented matchup problems because of its size, athleticism and versatility. Adding Bagley gives the Vikings another experienced guard who understands what it takes to compete deep into the Open Division tournament.

It also adds another storyline to the upcoming season.

Bagley helped St. Mary’s reach the championship game last season. He will now attempt to win the title with Sunnyslope, joining a program coming off a 28-2 season and its first Open Division championship.

Replacing the production and leadership of graduating players will still be a challenge, and a talented roster does not automatically guarantee another championship. However, Sunnyslope appears to have reloaded rather than rebuilt.

With Wabbington anchoring the interior, Prescott providing another scoring threat, Palmer strengthening the frontcourt and Bagley joining the backcourt, the Vikings have the pieces to play several different styles. They can overwhelm teams with size, defend multiple positions and surround their stars with experienced contributors.

Arizona basketball will feature several talented teams during the 2026–27 season, but the defending champions currently have the strongest argument for the preseason No. 1 spot.

Sunnyslope entered the offseason as the team everyone was chasing. Following Bagley’s transfer, the distance between the Vikings and the rest of the state may have grown even larger.