Utah’s Class of 2023 Top 25 (Part 1)
contributed by our newest Prep Hoops Utah Scout The Class of 2023 is loaded with talent from top to bottom. I want to be clear that most knowledgeable people know that rankings don’t determine who can play at the next…
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Continue Readingcontributed by our newest Prep Hoops Utah Scout
The Class of 2023 is loaded with talent from top to bottom. I want to be clear that most knowledgeable people know that rankings don’t determine who can play at the next level. Please allow me to expand on that. I will use Ja Morant as an example he was not nationally ranked in high school despite the fact that he put up outstanding numbers that earned him All-State honors, as a junior and senior.
Despite all of that success, only one major program offered Ja Morant a scholarship Murray State. Why do I bring this up? I feel it is Important so, that kids in Utah don’t look at this and think that they are not enough.
Throughout the next three years, players will play themselves up and down the top 25 rankings with time and games under their belt. It is extremely difficult to cover the entire state of Utah. Many underclassmen get most of their minutes in high school during garbage time or playing on JV, and lower-level high school games such as sophomore, and freshman basketball allowing them the time to develop and grow as a basketball player.
There are 50 ranked players in the state of Utah. In this series, I will be talking about the top 25, in no particular order. I will address five players every other week; throughout the Utah Top 25 rankings. During this series of articles over the next ten weeks you can expect to see great analysis on these top 25 high schoolers. (If I don’t have enough info no analysis will be provided.) We want to cover their strengths such as: what is it that they do very well? We want to cover their weaknesses. What is it they need to work on to become a better player? The high school they currently attend and the club team they play for. We will follow their progress throughout the high school basketball season as they embark on their sophomore campaigns, this will be a fun journey as you all get to follow along, and ride this fun roller coaster with us.
We will keep a close eye on those not in the Utah top 25 rankings as well. There will be ample opportunity to move into the top 25. There will be times in which a player will be moved out of the top 25 simply for performance such is life in the Utah top 25.
Part 1 of 5….
Yorgio Golesis Yorgio Golesis 5'10" | SG Skyline | 2023 State UT | 5-foot-9 shooting guard
Strengths:
- Quick in the open floor with the ball. Great body control, as his body form doesn’t break in the air. Glides to the rim and finishes dunks with either hand. Knows how to translate his athleticism into game situations and in half court settings. Quick off the ground. Fearless driver and challenges anyone of size at the rim
- Quick first step and beats the defense fairly easily. Natural ability to create offense. Scores well from anywhere on the floor if driving the ball to the basket.
- Good passing ability and court vision in both the half court and in transition. Draws the defense and kicks to the open man. Floor general at point guard, works to set up teammates for open looks
Weaknesses:
- Borders on overconfident at times … Got in the bad habit of over-penetrating and throwing up wild contested shots, attempting to draw fouls and often ended up being well contested misses … While he has the talent to impress, he at times struggles with his shot selection and general decision-making
- Shooting release is somewhat slow and he isn’t a knockdown shooter against closeouts even with his feet set, players should leave him open and dare him to shoot … Has good defensive potential, but still is green and will gamble or put himself in bad positions.
- Doesn’t have standout size and length his body isn’t overly strong has room to tighten up his game, as he looks to improve consistency and efficiencies.
High School: Skyline High School
Club Team: Utah Force
Jaxon Smith Jaxon Smith 6'1" | PG Woods Cross | 2023 State UT | 6-foot point guard
Strengths:
- Quick in the open floor with the ball. Great body control, as his body form doesn’t break in the air. Glides to the rim and finishes with either hand. Quick off the ground. Fearless driver and challenges anyone of size at the rim. His quickness allows him to get into the lane almost at will, and he always keeps his head up looking for open cutters/a dump off pass down low to one of his big men
- Has shown a willingness to take the big shot down the stretch and has been successful when doing so … Has a lot of competitiveness and inner-strength. Can hit pull-up for jumpers off the dribble on the break as well as in the half court set.
- Good passing ability and court vision in both the half court and in transition. Draws the defense and kicks to the open man. Floor general at point guard, works to set up teammates for open looks. Good pick and roll ball handler. Plays with craft and creativity. Reads and reacts, doesn’t predetermine his offense.
Weaknesses:
- Can be a streaky shooter, taking longer than desired to realize he doesn’t have it on a given night Plays below the rim, quick but not explosive …
- Doesn’t have great size or length good athlete … has a slight frame, lacking strength. Smooth with the ball and handles well in traffic. Changes speed. Can get to the rim off the dribble. Has a good 3-point shot, midrange game and touch on his floater …
High School: Woods Cross
Club Team: Salt Lake Bounce
Braxton Hawkins Braxton Hawkins 6'2" | SG Lehi | 2023 State UT | 6-foot-2 shooting guard
Strengths:
- has good footwork, and can stay in front of guys the whole length of the court … He stays disciplined on the ball, rarely going for head fakes and makes it extremely difficult for opposing guards to get by him
- Very capable on ball, perimeter defender against quicker, shorter guards … Has the ability to stay in front of ball-handler from baseline to baseline in press defense …
- Has a lot of competitiveness and inner-strength. Wants to win at all costs. Anticipates and shows willingness as a defender. Fights over and avoids screens. Has a good balance of when to score and when to distribute … Unselfish and leads in transition
Weaknesses:
- Shooting consistency is probably the most glaring weakness.
- Needs to improve jump shooting and perimeter scoring.
- Can be a little careless with the ball at times.
High School: Lehi
Club Team: Jimmer Elite
James Rust James Rust 6'5" | CG Timpview | 2023 State UT | 6-foot-3 combo guard
Strengths:
- Not an overly quick first step but defenses must respect his ability to knock down shots with limited space so it helps him get defenders off balance
- Good vision in both the half court and open court settings.
- Can finish at the rim and through some contact and has the ability to use both his left and right hands. Good basketball IQ with improving play making abilities.
Weaknesses:
- Lacks explosiveness at the rim and is more of a crafty scorer than a guy that is going to get into the lane,
- Moves his feet well on defense but can get burned by quicker players on the perimeter.
- Struggles to finish at the rim and through some contact and has the ability to use both his left and right hands
High School: Timpview
Club Team: Utah Prospects
Zuriel Marquez Zuriel Marquez 6'2" | CG Juan Diego Catholic | 2023 State UT | 6-foot-2 combo guard
Strengths:
- Aggressive player with a quick first step who looks to draw contact inside.
- Good at pushing the ball and scoring in transition.
- Good ballhandler, able to get past defenders and create space for attacking the rim.
- Can score at the rim with ease, due to his speed and quickness.
Weaknesses:
- His jump shot is not necessarily an of concern, needs improve his efficiency and range can be a streaky shooter.
- Does have a habit of relying on help defense and leaving his team at a disadvantage.
- Can be turnover prone, Decision making can improve, Plays too fast sometimes.
High School: Juan Diego
Club Team: Salt Lake Bounce
Part 2 of 5 coming soon…