WIBCA D1 Recruiting Showcase: Top 2022 Performers
Continuing with our post-event coverage of the WIBCA Division 1 Recruiting showcase, I will now highlight the rising sophomores that performed the best in the games that I saw. These rising sophomores are all a couple years away from being…
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Continue ReadingContinuing with our post-event coverage of the WIBCA Division 1 Recruiting showcase, I will now highlight the rising sophomores that performed the best in the games that I saw. These rising sophomores are all a couple years away from being able to sign any LOI, but they will surely be on the radar of colleges moving forward.
First and Foremost
It was actually pretty obvious who most of the 2022 prospects were. As expected, the level of inconsistency was pretty high with players showing more glimpses than consistent production, outside of a select few. The 2022’s were the youngest players in the event, but some really showed some promise.
2022 top performers:
2022 5’9 PG Malik Rose (Folsom HS/CA) – One of the smallest players in attendance, but he displayed a real burst of quickness on both ends of the floor. Malik is a confident floor general that made plays for himself and others. He showed good elevation on his pull up jumper and confidence in himself all around. The big question mark will be his size, as is the case with almost everyone under 5’10.
2022 5’10 PG Braeden Smith (Seattle Prep HS) – Smaller point guard that really understands how to play the game. He pushes the tempo and has a good enough basketball IQ to execute in the half court as well. If Braeden can keep working on being an outside threat consistently, then he will have a shot at being an impact player at the Division 1 level. His feel for the game and handle is already there.
2022 6’6 SF Quin Patterson (Mt. Si HS) – Really showed flashes during this event and caught some college coaches eyes. Quin is a legitimate catch and shoot threat at 6’6. The one thing that he showed was the ability to take his man off the bounce some, which is a newly added weapon in his arsenal. If he can continue to work on this aspect of his game, then he will definitely be a Division 1 recruit. I think Quin is still growing and he is a player to watch in Washington’s 2022 class.
2022 6’7 PF Tyler Lindhardt (King’s HS) – On day one, Tyler’s team was the Kaden Perry show, but with Kaden not playing on day two, Tyler got a lot more aggressive and showed why he is a Division 1 offered player. He showed glimpses of being an inside-out threat and possessing a nice skill set finishing with either hand, jumping off of either foot. He is mostly a below the rim big man, but skilled nonethless. His athleticism may still kick in as he gets older. I like his potential as a pick and pop 4-man if he grows another inch.
2022 6’5 PF Dakota Joseph (Mariner HS) – Dakota played hard, but it was clear at times that he is used to being stronger and more athletic than his opponents, which was not the case here. At 6’5, players have to have some perimeter skills and this is where he needs to improve. Outside shooting and handling the ball to take players off the bounce will open up his game to use his athleticism more.
2022 5’9 PG Earl Riley IV (Cleveland HS) – Generously listed at 5’9, but Earl has some serious game. One coach told me “He doesn’t know his own size. He thinks he’s 6’6.” He is cat quick getting to his spots and really knows how to make players around him better. Earl improved from when I saw him just a few weeks ago. His only hurdle in recruitment will be his stature right now, but he has some Naim Ladd (former Rainier Beach standout) in his game where he just finds a way to get it done.
2022 6’6 SF Tyler Mrus (Seattle Prep HS) – Wiry strong wing-forward prospect that really showed some signs of being a legitimate Division 1 prospect. Tyler has a good stride and length getting passed defenders to finish around the rim. He runs the floor well and has all around good potential. One of my favorite 2022 prospects in Washington.
2022 6’1 G Koren Johnson (Garfield HS) – The young guard prospect has some swagger to his game. He can break his man down off the bounce and make plays by getting into the paint. Koren has a good burst in transition and can score it or pass it. If Koren can keep his motor running high consistently then he will see his college attention bloom over the next year or so.