New 2022 Names Who Emerged in 2nd Half
With the 2019-20 high school basketball season officially over, and us being less than a week away from our newest Rankings update, we shift over focus to what prospects in the 2022 class emerged during the second half of the…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWith the 2019-20 high school basketball season officially over, and us being less than a week away from our newest Rankings update, we shift over focus to what prospects in the 2022 class emerged during the second half of the high school basketball season. Here are a few of the new names that jumped on our radar with their play and will surely be in our latest rankings.
Zach Keller Zach Keller 6'9" | PF ThunderRidge | 2022 State #81 Nation CO – ThunderRidge
Keller only played in eight games at the end of the season, but in those eight games, he was able to make an impact. The first thing that stands out with him is size. Keller is a 6’7 paint beast. He put up 6.4 points and over two rebounds a game after his injury and is a forward that showcased that he can do it all. Keller plays with his back to the basket and rebounds well but is also able to step out and shoot the ball as well. He moves well for his size and moves his feet defensively as he can step out on guard for a couple of seconds and does what is asked of him. He didn’t play too much this season, but is a player to watch that I truly feel makes an impact next year as an intelligent player that impacts the game on both ends.
Kyle Sandler – Regis
Sandler has one of the best shooting strokes that you will see. He has a quick release and can get it off against anybody and is efficient. Sandler is a shot-maker that put up 7.6 points, and 5.0 rebounds a game and also is a terrific defender that can and is willing to defend multiple positions. He is an above-average passer that finds holes in the defense and gets to the rim at times but makes the most out of extending the defense. The 6’5 wing plays well off of the ball and is a player that will not only jump onto our rankings but be at a good spot as he had himself a year.
Joey Billelo – ThunderRidge
Bilello is a player that you will get to know this season. He is a 6’7 big man with range that excels in the pick/roll and catches dump-off passes as well. This season for the Grizzlies, he put up 5.2 points, and three rebounds a game as he showed that he could attack off of the dribble and score inside as well. Bilello rebounds well and also catch and finishes with dunks. What will separate him is the ability to protect the rim. He defends without fouling and can guard multiple positions. Bilello was unranked before now but, I will go out on a limb and say that Bilello will be one of the most improved players in the state next season.
Brock Mishak – Fossil Ridge
That Fossil Ridge group is going to be a team to watch over the next couple of seasons. They have a great underclass bunch that all contributed this season, and amongst those standouts was 6’1 combo-guard that not only got his feet wet in his sophomore seasons but was a reliable go-to that delivered from time to time. Mishak averaged 10.6 points and two rebounds, and two assists a game. He found a rhythm to close out the season, and his confidence and understanding of the game grew as the season progressed. Mishak scored in double figures in the last four games of the season and scored 16 points in a playoff win against Heritage. He is coming into his own as a player and is a player that jumped ono our radars this season and will be in our latest rankings.
A’jzhan Williams A’jzhan Williams 5'11" | CG Vista PEAK | 2022 State CO – Vista Peak
Williams is a guard that did not have a tremendous season statistically, but whenever he got on the floor, he impacted the game. Williams has the intangibles and an immense feel for the game, which opens things up for his teammates. His vision stands out as he finds the open man and also is a floor general that will turn into a leader moving forward. He was not a volume shooter but proved to be able to knock shots down, and he is an excellent on-ball defender that makes the opposition work for every basket and also steps over in help-side to create turnovers and traps. What’s next in his maturation is to become a more confident scorer. He gets to the rim with ease and cannot turn down open shots as he can create for himself. Williams will have to work hard this off-season and get daily so that he is relied on moving forward.