Player Rankings: The Great Debate C/O 2022
In anticipation of the release of the new Prephoops rankings, PH analyzes some of the behind the scenes internal debates for the c/o 2022 rankings. Click here to find out when the rankings will be released. 1. Jaxon or Josh…
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Continue ReadingIn anticipation of the release of the new Prephoops rankings, PH analyzes some of the behind the scenes internal debates for the c/o 2022 rankings. Click here to find out when the rankings will be released.
1. Jaxon or Josh – I have been mesmerized while watching film of these two. I still haven’t figured out a way to separate them, Jaden Westwood Jaden Westwood 6'1" | CG Piute | 2022 UT is slightly taller and is a better passer from the post. Joshua Jefferson Joshua Jefferson 6'8" | PF Liberty | 2022 State #158 Nation NV is a better rebounder and floor stretcher. Kohler defends the rim better, but Jefferson is the better athlete. Both are terrific low post players who put together productive sophomore seasons.
2. How to evaluate the prep seasons of Ryan Abelman Ryan Abelman 6'4" | SG Bishop Gorman | 2022 State NV and Dontrell Johnson Dontrell Johnson 6'5" | SF Trinity | 2022 State NV ? – Ableman and Johnson are two of the more difficult players to evaluate because of their roles during the high school seasons. Ableman, the quick triggered shooter saw only spot minutes for the 9 time defending 4A state champion Bishop Gorman Gaels. However, he played well in those minutes including scoring 11 points against national powerhouse Oak Hill Academy in a Nationally Televised Game. Johnson who is one of the best run and jump athletes in his class had to play JV last season because of transfer rules. Both are talented players, but with the current shutdown, I have to figure out just what last season’s body of works means when stacked up against others in their class.
3. Aaron Price Aaron Price 6'7" | PF Liberty | 2022 State NV didn’t even play – At least Ableman and Johnson were able to compete last season. Aaron Price Aaron Price 6'7" | PF Liberty | 2022 State NV had to sit out the entire year due to transfer rules. Take one look at him and it’s hard to ignore his size, length, and athleticism, however, I have no idea how the time off will affect him. When you add in the fact that Price was already very raw, to begin with, slotting a potential D1 player that hasn’t played in a competitive basketball game in almost 8 months is going to be tricky.
4. The Northern Nevada Trio – The majority of ranked players usually come from Las Vegas. The city contains a much larger population than the rest of the state, and usually produces a disproportionate number of athletes. The class of 2022 is unique however as it has 3 Non-Las Vegas players worthy of high rankings. Michael Klekas Michael Klekas 6'3" | SF Elko | 2022 State NV from Elko, had a magnificent season, leading his conference in scoring and rebounding while leading his team to the 3A title game only to suffer another heartbreaking Championship loss to Churchill County. Torak TT Valosek Torak TT Valosek 6'4" | CG Incline | 2022 State NV (featured image) led Incline to the title game as a sophomore and has received interest from several Pac 12 schools according to his head coach. Then there is Parsa Hadjighasemi Parsa Hadjighasemi 6'4" | CG Carson | 2022 State NV , the sniper from Carson that averaged over 13 per game. All 3 have a chance to find themselves somewhere in the top 15 of the rankings.
5. How will the JV guys project at the Varsity level? – Unlike Johnson, several guys played JV this season simply because they were unable to crack the varsity rotation for one reason or another. Jacque Williams Jr was arguably the best JV player in the city last season, and you could argue was only on JV because of the sheer number of seniors the Aggies had. He’s a talented player, that probably could have cracked most varsity lineups. John Derrick John Derrick 6'6" | PF Foothill | 2022 State NV is a 6’6 wing with raw skills and a high motor, that swung for Foothill last season. Williams from his production and Derrick from the eye test has shown they deserve to be ranked, now the question is where.