Legend-ary: Payson senior Legend Reynoso led Lions to 4A crown, named 2025 Utah Valley Boys Basketball Player of the Year
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- Payson senior Legend Reynoso shoots a shot during the 4A state basketball tournament at the America First Events Center in Cedar City in February of 2025.
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- Payson senior Legend Reynoso holds the state title trophy as he celebrates with his team after winning 4A state basketball tournament at the America First Events Center in Cedar City on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.
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- Payson junior Legend Reynoso shoots a 3-pointer during the non-region game at Pleasant Grove on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023.
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- Payson senior Legend Reynoso dribbles up the court during the 4A state basketball tournament at the America First Events Center in Cedar City in February of 2025.
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- Payson junior Legend Reynoso gets fouled going to the basket during the non-region game at Pleasant Grove on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023.
In sports history, there have been a number of athletes with some very distinctive names: baseball players Coco Crisp and Milton Bradley, for example, or skier Picabo Street and basketball player World B. Free.
And then there are some names that just seem to end up being prophetic, which is probably accurate for Payson senior Legend Reynoso.
“My mom heard someone say it and she just loved the name (Legend),” Reynoso said in a phone interview in March. “She had it in her head that she was going to name one of her sons that, so she did. I’ve always liked it. I get lots of compliments about it.”
During the 2024-25 season, Reynoso and the rest of the Lions team made his first name become an accurate description of what they accomplished. They became legends in the community as the first Payson team to ever win a state boys basketball title.
“We had a really fun year this year,” Reynoso said. “It was incredible team to be around. We were able to have a really good record this year and it was just a lot of fun hanging out with my friends all year. And of course it’s awesome to be the ones to win the first state championship in Payson history.”
Reynoso was a huge part of the Lion success, leading the team in scoring (12.4 points per game) and rebounding (5.8 boards per game) while being second in 3-pointers made (29) and third in assists per game (2.5).
“In the latter half of our season, he really carried us,” Payson head coach Anthony Mitchell said. “He was our most consistent player. It almost like he had a ‘this-is-my-moment’ attitude and he decided to take over some games, both offensively and defensively. It was fun to watch him come out of his quiet shell and make a difference.”
For his crucial role in leading the Lions to the top of 4A basketball, the Daily Herald is proud to honor Reynoso as the 2025 Utah Valley Boys Basketball Player of the Year.
“It’s awesome,” Reynoso said. “It’s nice to see that all the work I put in was worth it. I know there are a lot of good players in Utah Valley and I’m just grateful to be recognized.”
Mitchell said that Reynoso earned the recognition through relentless effort and pushing himself to be better.
“He just put in the work by himself,” Mitchell said. “He was in the weight room consistently and put on some pounds. He was always in the gym, shooting. He didn’t miss anything we ever went to. He was always consistent. Then throughout the year he slowly improved. It was awesome to see his attitude change and take on more of a leadership role. He was mor vocal and the other guys started to look up to him.”
Mitchell recalled playing a game at Layton Christian where he saw things click a little more for Reynoso.
“All year we preached taking a charge, but we struggled at it,” Mitchell said. “We gave a little reward as an incentive, and Legend went out and took three charges in that game. He was like, oh, OK, I like this. He led our team in charges. It kind of was like he got it, that doing what the coaches want makes good things happen.”
Reynoso admitted that he enjoyed the reward for taking those charges, but he also saw his own improvement as the season progressed.
He said his favorite moment was a tough game against Timpanogos in Payson where things shaped up for him to make some big plays.
“I was super memorable for me, because I was able to hit a 3-pointer to tie the game as time expired to go into overtime,” Reynoso said. “I also had a dunk in overtime that helped us win it. The fans there were just so loud and super crazy. It was so fun. That’s probably one of the most memorable moments of the season.”
He also loved the buildup to the state championship run because it seemed like everyone in the community was excited for it.
“With each playoff game as we advanced, fans and parents and different people from Payson were reaching out and congratulating us,” Reynoso said. “It was so fun and super enjoyable.”
As the Lions got past Desert Hills in the second round, Reynoso and his guys got to enjoy a chance to perform on the big stage at the America First Events Center at Southern Utah in Cedar City.
“It was my first time playing on a college court and so it was a little nerve-wracking, but we were able to get over it,” Reynoso said. “There are a lot of good players around the state and so we got down quite a bit in some of our games and had to come back. I’m just really grateful for the team we had and the coaches who were able to keep us in in the games.”
Mitchell said Reynoso played an enormous role in helping Payson rally to defeat Pine View in the quarterfinals (52-48), Hurricane in the semifinals (63-58) and then top-seed Green Canyon in the championship (54-51).
“He was so consistent,” Mitchell said. “In those games when we were down, sometimes as many as 10 points, we never felt like we were out of it. We always knew to just stick to the game plan and let these seniors do their thing. We’d do our best and it turned our way.”
In the end, Reynoso and his teammates were able to finish things off with the big win and got to savor the elation of winning the championship.
“I couldn’t believe it was real at first,” Reynoso said. “It was just so often. At the end of every practice we would say, ‘state champs!’ but to actually accomplish it was just unbelievable. It’s what we’d been working toward all season.”
It was a legendary end to a great high school basketball career for Reynoso, which meant it’s time for a new chapter.
He’s still looking at possibilities as far as where he will play basketball in college but believes his drive to do all of the little things will be the biggest benefit he’ll bring to his next team.
Mitchell said he feels like playing higher levels of competition will bring even more of the best out of Reynoso.
“He’s going to realize he’s going to use his overall athleticism more, but I’m sure he’ll get there,” Mitchell said. “I would just tell him that there will be bumps in the road but just to keep setting goals and stay focused. If you do that and keep a good attitude, it will work out in the end.”
Before Reynoso graduates and moves on, he took a moment to give his best advice to the next generation of high school basketball players.
“My advice would be to just put your head down and work, even when you might not be getting recognized for it,” Reynoso said. “Just work on your own time. Work with your teammates. Get to know your teammates because that helps a lot with team chemistry, and that’ll really help you personally. Just give it your all.”
