Utah’s Class of 2023 Top 25 (Part 2)
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…
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Continue ReadingThe 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 2 of 5….
Mason Bendinger Mason Bendinger 6'3" | CG Woods Cross | 2023 State UT
This is a prospect to watch more to come…
Strengths:
- Has a solid mid-range and step-back jumper as well … Excellent hands-on defense. Shows good court vision and ability to find the open man
- A fierce competitor who never backs down and always gives his all, Has decent size and good speed and athleticism.
- Knows how to get to the paint off the bounce, and finishing well at the rim.
Weaknesses:
- Not a natural shooter. Lacks elevation on his jumper, almost shooting a set shot from three … Low release point and slow delivery from behind the arc
- Can be lax on the defensive side of the ball – has a tendency to take plays off on defense if his offense isn’t flowing
- He could stand to add 5-10 pounds of good weight … Has a tendency to stand around a little too much offensively off the ball instead of moving around to free himself
High School:
Woods-Cross
Club Team:
Salt Lake Bounce
Jordan Ross Jordan Ross 6'3" | PG Link Academy | 2023 #132 Nation MO
- This is a prospect to watch more to come…
Strengths:
- Ross excels due to his quickness, shooting, vision, ball handling, and crafty scoring ability
- Uses his speed off the dribble to get inside and either finish at the rim over bigger defenders or kick the ball out to open teammates behind the arc
- good vision in transition, and could be very successful leading the break in the faster-paced college game
- tight handles. Allows him to be aggressive and get past defenders without turning the ball over often very smart and savvy player.
Weaknesses:
- Ross has got a lot going for him in the way of basketball IQ and instincts and work ethic, but his slight frame and small stature will most definitely limit him.
- Defense is the area of Ross’s game which causes the most concern the fact that he is undersized.
- Needs to put on weight and get stronger
High School:
Pleasant Grove
Club Team:
Las Vegas Elite
Kevin Doe Kevin Doe 6'5" | CG East | 2023 State UT
- This is a prospect to watch more to come…
Strengths:
- Extremely tough kid and a hard worker. He plays smart in transition and likes to push the ball up the floor quickly … Accelerates well in the open floor and uses a change of pace to throw defenders off balance
- Solid on-ball defender, has good size … has lateral quickness guarding the perimeter
- Good finisher inside. Able to get a shot up over or around significantly taller players in the post to finish on his drives
- Good at “switching gears” stopping and starting with the ball in his hands … Attacks the rim with aggression and has good body control … Good first step and accelerates once he passes his man
Weaknesses:
- Above-average perimeter shooter.
- Although his jumper looks good, he needs to improve his shooting consistency … Inconsistent with his extension into his release
- At 6’3 he does have decent size for his position in High School
High School:
East High School
Club Team:
Utah Prospects
Micah Madry Micah Madry 6'5" | CG Hillcrest | 2023 State UT
- This is a prospect to watch more to come…
Strengths:
- Can use both hands to finish at the rim. Exhibits great body control and creativity to get his shot off against taller defenders, has the basketball IQ, and focus.
- Has a good deep 3-point range, the mid-range game with a good pull up game and a decent floater good form on his shot; well balanced, high release point.
- solid court vision and strong leadership abilities. Long and wiry combo guard … A crafty ballhandler that knows how to get defenders off balance with the dribble … Has a good repertoire of moves and mixes them up well to keep the defense guessing
- Good handles. Allow him to be aggressive and get past defenders without turning the ball over a heady player. Talented combo guard with a very smooth all-around game
Weaknesses:
- Currently, an average defender needs to work on lateral quickness, conditioning to improve on defense, shows the ability to play defense when committed.
- Doesn’t like when defenses are too physical with him … Decent finisher around the rim when due to his physical attributes
- He needs to add some muscles to his upper and lower body. He can get in trouble by trying to do too much and over-dribbling.
High School:
Juan Diego Catholic High School
Club Team:
Jimmer Elite
Chudi Anosike Chudi Anosike 6'5" | CG Murray | 2023 State UT
- This is a prospect to watch more to come…
Strengths:
- Talented combo guard with a very smooth all-around game … Makes the game look easy. Good ball-handler. Scores in bunches.
- Quality kid with a strong work ethic … Advanced offensively with the ability to use both hands as he attacks the rim aggressively … His Jump shop is good and needs to be respected.
- He is adept at using both hands, either when attacking or finishing … He uses his body as well as his length to finish around the basket … Utilizes a variety of floaters and runners in the lane
- Very good in the full-court game, able to find teammates on the break with good vision … Good competitor, composed, good decision-maker … Gives good effort on the defensive end of the floor
Weaknesses:
- Must get stronger physically, to be able to finish off drives as well as shoot with more consistency … His ball-handling ability is solid, but can improve …
- He tends to waste dribbles on the perimeter, killing the flow of the offense because he can be a ball stopper at times …
- he could be much more of a presence as a defensive rebounder, and defender it needs to be worked on.
High School:
Murray High School
Club Team:
Jimmer Elite
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