2023 class: 10 most impressive prospects from the 2019 season
Some freshmen in the state of Tennessee logged in some varsity minutes, while other freshmen either played on the freshman or junior varsity teams. Either way, the 2023 class saw action. There’s a lot of potential for the 2023 class…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingSome freshmen in the state of Tennessee logged in some varsity minutes, while other freshmen either played on the freshman or junior varsity teams.
Either way, the 2023 class saw action.
There’s a lot of potential for the 2023 class to be just as deep as the 2021, and it’s not hard to see why.
This story will feature 10 players in the class who impressed me over the course of the 2019 season.
If the AAU season happens, I will get out and see more prospects in this class.
Here are 10 players who were impressive in the 2023 class:
AJ Dillworth, Lausanne: Dillworth wasn’t afraid to play in big games this season. Against CPA in the first round of the Division II-A Boys State Tournament, Dillworth knocked down back-to-back 3s in the first quarter and played solid defense. Holy Cross commit Jalen Bo Montgomery thinks Dillworth is a 3-and-D guy. For the season, the freshman averaged 5.7 points and 2.3 steals per game.
Jasen Brooks, Cleveland: Brooks’ minutes were limited on varsity – in part to Jacobi Wood running the team at the point guard spot – but the freshman point guard got some experience and led the freshman and junior varsity teams in scoring (21 points per game). According to Blue Raiders head coach Reggie Tucker, he will be starting next season at point guard on varsity, with four veteran seniors around him.
Jordan Frison, Overton: I saw Frison during open gym sessions, and he easily blended in with the varsity players. Frison didn’t carry himself like a freshman. He has swagger and shoots the ball very well. So far, that’s his strength. Frison averaged 11.4 points, three assists and two rebounds per game for the Wolverines.
Blue Cain, Knoxville Catholic: Cain finished fourth on the team this past season in total points scored (192) and averaged 7.4 points, 2.8 assists, two steals and 0.3 blocks per game. Cain shot the ball at a high clip, converting on 53.4 percent of his shots.
Marcel Reed, MBA: I had the chance to see one game of Reed, which came on the road at Fayette Ware. He had 10 points in his team’s win. Reed did a good job of not turning the ball over while running the offense. He’s tough to stay in front of and can get downhill in a single heartbeat.
Anthony Medlock, Arlington: Medlock is one of the most athletic wings in this class. The 6-foot-2 guard finishes strong at the rim. He always seem to know when to attack. Medlock is a pure athlete. He doesn’t have a problem scoring, either. Medlock had 13 points and five rebounds against West Union. He needs to improve on his outside shooting. I saw flashes from him in 2019, but not enough to say he’s a sniper. Luckily, he has time to become one.
EJ Smith, Arlington: Smith is going to be tough for any defender since he’s a left-handed point guard. Smith is already 6-1 with plenty of room to grow. In one of his best games of the season, Smith had 11 points against Bartlett in the Region 7 District 14-AAA Championship game. He has a nice release and smooth handles. At times last season, Smith didn’t come off the basketball when he was supposed to, which led to turnovers. Those were some freshman mistakes. I can’t hold that against his potential.
Regale Moore, Bartlett: Moore averaged five points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game for the Panthers. He had his highs and lows just like most freshmen will have playing on the varsity level. What I liked about Moore was that he never got frustrated when he was having a bad shooting night. He kept playing hard, which is what Bartlett head coach Dion Real likes. Moore made 74 percent of his free throws and connected on 32 percent of his shots from the field.
Jamarius Harvey, Memphis East: From what I saw from Harvey this past season, he’s a high volume shooter. Harvey could be one of those guards that will light a team up for 25 or more each night when he’s on fire. Harvey had 20 points in a home win over Wooddale.
Javar Daniel, Arlington: Daniel is a 6-8 specimen with high upside. He’s already a good shot blocker and rebounder. Daniel will need to improve on his ball handling and perimeter shooting. In the Tigers’ 104-56 win over West Union in the Hotbed Classic, the big man took home MVP honors after finishing the game with 18 points, seven rebounds and three blocks.