OKC Top 250: underclassman stock-risers (West)
The needle-shifters mentioned below were among the biggest stock-risers at the Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo in Edmond last weekend. The list is not comprehensive of all players who played well, but is limited to four who stood out above…
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Continue ReadingThe needle-shifters mentioned below were among the biggest stock-risers at the Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo in Edmond last weekend. The list is not comprehensive of all players who played well, but is limited to four who stood out above the rest to the Prep Hoops Oklahoma staff.
Corry Smith — 2023 Heritage Hall SG |
→ Smith is a wired scorer, though he is not necessarily a one-trick pony, either. He moves well with the ball, has defined moves and a catalog of maneuvers to score the basketball. He has length, standing about 6-foot-4, but is still agile, with a change-of-speed sufficient to do what he wants to do. He manipulates and stretches his body well near the rim, using his craft to score with either hand and/or draw contact. An underrated skill of Smith’s, however, is providing for teammates. He habitually looks for the heads-up play off of defensive rebounds, and tends to push pace to draw defenders to him to dish to teammates in transition.
Aidan Johnston — 2022 Garber SG/SF |
→ Johnston has made many improvements to his game. At 6-foot-4-inches, Johnston moves better than he ever has with developed quickness, change-of-direction and acceleration — most importantly, when to utilize those capabilities. He does pretty well getting to the rack and has good vision for the floor, and thanks to his height, he has little trouble converting from the mid-range over defenders. He also defends well, and with a pretty comprehensive situational knowledge, he uses his length when guarding perimeter scorers but uses his strength in the interior. Johnston could be on the come-up in his junior season for the defending State Champions.
Phil Jackson III — 2023 Putnam City North CG |
→ If you were at the camp, you may have seen Jackson and not realized he was only a sophomore. He has a high motor and confidence with the ball uncharacteristic of most players his age. Jackson did a good job of playing with more conservatism that he did, at times, during the summer, though without sacrificing his competitive edge. The lively guard sees the floor and passes very well, and he has a lot of fun setting up teammates to score. His game predicates on altruism, though the fervent scorer has plenty of talent to put the ball in the basket himself, too. He shoots it well, but his best opportunities come near the rim. Jackson absorbs contact well, and he has enough down-hill speed to make defenders think twice about stepping between him and the basket.
Zander Baker — 2023 Homeschool PG |
→ I mean this without hyperbole: Zander may have been the most polished hooper in the gym last week.
He only stands at about 5-foot-7-inches, maybe 130 pounds, but he has so much upside to his game that it is hard to say he does not have a chance. He can shoot the lights out of the gym, especially out of the dribble, and has soaring confidence with little hesitation. He also can score the ball at the rack, and with his nimble foot-work and vision for the floor, it is not too hard for him to get there. Baker handles contact with poise and has a diverse finishing package, as well.