2023 Rankings Update
The 2023 rankings update is finally here. Almost 60 new players were included in this update with 97 prospects being a part of the update. While the list as a whole went through a big change, there was not a whole lot of movement at the top.
Camden’s Dajuan Wagner Jr Dajuan Wagner Jr 6'4" | PG Camden | 2023 State #1 Nation NJ . retains his top spot after an impressive debut season. He was named to Second Team All-State as he led the state’s top team in scoring. Wagner Jr. can score at all three levels and has a great feel for the game. He is not flustered by the big stage and shoots the ball with extreme confidence. Wagner Jr. looks to be the next star produced by the Garden State and should be a First Team All-State selection this winter.
Mackenzie Mgbako Mackenzie Mgbako 6'8" | SF Roselle Catholic | 2023 State #5 Nation NJ retains the number two slot and is ready to shoulder a larger scoring load this season. The 6’7 wing has a good handle and is capable of beating his defender off the bounce. Mgbako has a nice release on his jumper and can shoot over his man. He is a solid rebounder and an underrated shot-blocker. Mgbako is a talented wing prospect who should average 20 points and 10 rebounds for Gill St. Bernard’s this season.
Roselle Catholic is loaded with talented 2023 prospects and Simeon Wilcher Simeon Wilcher 6'4" | PG Roselle Catholic | 2023 State #17 Nation NJ is the best of the bunch. The 6’3 guard is capable of playing either backcourt spot and is threat to get to the basket on every possession. Wilcher has a quick first step and is at best pushing the ball in transition. He plays with poise on the basketball and is an underrated passer. Wilcher is a rising star for the Lions with the capability of hurdling Mgbako for the second spot on this list.
Don Bosco Prep’s Akil Watson Akil Watson 6'7" | SF Roselle Catholic | 2023 State #105 Nation NJ maintains the fourth spot and should be one of the top players in Bergen County this season. The 6’8 forward is capable of playing both the three and the four due to his combination of talent, athleticism and length. Watson can handle the ball on the perimeter and has a nice touch around the basket. He skies for rebounds on the defensive end and will make opponents pay for giving him space on the perimeter. Watson picked up six high major offers since the end of the season and the list should grow larger by the end of his sophomore season.
Aaron Bradshaw Aaron Bradshaw 7'0" | PF Camden | 2023 State #10 Nation NJ makes his rankings debut at the fifth spot on the list. The lanky 6’11 forward has a good face-up game and can handle the ball in the front-court. Bradshaw has a nice release on his jumper and is quite comfortable operating on the perimeter. His combination of length and size makes him an intriguing rim-protector and needs to play with more focus on the defensive end. Bradshaw’s ceiling is sky high as few prospects in the 2023 class has his combination of skill, size and athleticism.
Roselle Catholic and Camden are the two schools most represented in the rankings with a combined 12 total players. The Lions lead the way with seven, while the Panthers have five. The 2023 class is filled with big-time talent, who should be a joy to watch for years to come.