Xposure Runs: Class of 2023 Top Performers
On Friday, September, 11, I checked out the latest Xposure Runs in Homer Glen. More than 30 class of 2022 and 2023 prospects were in the gym, and I got to see most play more than one game. There was…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingOn Friday, September, 11, I checked out the latest Xposure Runs in Homer Glen. More than 30 class of 2022 and 2023 prospects were in the gym, and I got to see most play more than one game. There was lots of talent and even more potential on the court: plenty of future college players.
Top 2023 Performers
Richard Barron Richard Barron 6'5" | SF St. Ignatius | 2023 State IL (SF, St. Ignatius)
Barron stepped onto the court in the middle of the first game and immediately caught the eye: Sitting with a varsity head coach we immediately said, “Who’s that?” He’s listed at 6-3 and is built like a tight end. He was possibly the most physically imposing player on the court, which was even more dramatic because he spends the bulk of his time on the wing.
His skills are those of a guard despite his size. He’s got a tight handle with multiple moves, and he hit several threes. He’s a tough matchup, especially for other 2023s because he has the strength of a power forward but he blows by big guys. And if you stick a traditional wing on him they will get bodied.
At times Barron can get caught doing too much in isolation or settling for jumpers, but in tight he games he played within himself and was the go-to guy for his teams.
Xavier Sulaiman Xavier Sulaiman 6'3" | SG Oak Lawn | 2023 State IL (SG, Marist)
Sulaiman has all the makings of a prototypical 2-guard. He’s 6-2 and lean with great quick-twitch athleticism. He already plays above the rim, throwing down clean dunks in the open court and even a tip dunk from the baseline. Defensively, that athleticism and his long arms cause problems on the ball. He also likes to jump passing lanes in search of the big play (though it can backfire). I’d expect him to deflect passes and force turnovers at a high rate.
On offense Sulaiman has no hesitation when he attacks the rim or when he catches and shoots. He wants to score every time he touches the ball, and he has high confidence in himself. His jump shot is high and quick. He’ll be able to get his shot off when he wants to, and when he adds more strength he’ll be great at the rim.
Mykel Lindsey (Forward, Curie)
I came away from the Xposure Run intrigued about the maturity and upside of Lindsey’s game. He’s 6-4 and was one of the most athletic players at the gym, but he also played a really intelligent brand of basketball. The little details of his game — the footwork, the decision-making, the screening — he had those all while scoring baskets and being one of the best rebounders in the event.
Offensively, he has three-point range but was at his best getting into the paint, either on the drive or rolling to the rim. He was surprisingly patient for such a young player. He had great footwork and timing when he got under the basket, and he also knew how to find the open man with a swing pass when the defense collapsed on him.
Defensively, he’s got a ton of length and already seems fairly strong. I’m interested to see how much Lindsey continues to grow. He already has the makings of a modern stretch-four at the high school level, though he also is skilled enough to play full-time on the wing.
Leirre Collier (PG, Marist)
Sulaiman’s teammate Collier was the best 2023 guard of the night at attacking the basket. He had a great combination of body control, confidence and athleticism that’s rare at that age. “Smooth” was the first thing I wrote in my notebook about him. My favorite stretch of basketball for the night was Collier and Sulaiman attacking each other possession after possession in the first game — Collier driving to the basket, Sulaiman pulling up for jumpers, basket after basket.
Collier seems to go in and out of attack mode. In other stretches he deferred to teammates, but he showed his lead guard skills in the open court. Defensively he’s got solid strength and has active hands. He’ll be a plus on-ball defender.
Raeshom Harris Raeshom Harris 6'4" | SG Bloom | 2023 State IL (SG, Bloom)
The Hyde Park transfer did a bit of everything during the event. Harris is the type of player who could fit in with any group and adapt his game to his teammates. His energy was high on both ends of the court, and he played selfless basketball. Simply: Harris is the type of player you want on your team.
Defensively, he attacks players on the perimeter, fights through screens and has active hands. He’ll be a guy down the road you use to guard an opponent’s best perimeter scorer.
On the offensive end he had an all-around game. He knocked down threes and always seemed to have the ball in the paint. More often than not he was looking for open teammates. As his handle tightens up he’ll be a really solid secondary play-maker.
Tyler Smith (PG, LEO)
Smith was one of the best true point guards at the event. He deferred to higher-scoring teammates, getting himself into the paint and setting them up in spots to score. He was best in the open court in 3-on-2 and 2-on-1 situations, forcing the first defender to make a choice and then making the right decision.
Defensively he was solid at the point of attack and plays taller than 5-10. He rebounded the ball well from the guard position and got the ball up the court quickly. When he did look for his own shot, he had an impressive step-back jumper.
Other Notable Performances
Bakari Nelson (Wing, Brother Rice)
Nelson is certainly an honorable mention here. He’s a strong wing and at 6-3 showed potential at both ends of the court. He knocked down threes and finished at the rim with both hands. Nelson has a tight handle for a bigger wing, and he showed a lot of strength on the defense.
Luke Newhall (Wing, Walter Payton)
Newhall was one of the most active players on the court. He always seemed to be cutting to the basket for a layup or flying in for an offensive rebound. He finished with both hands at the rim and absorbed contact well. He ate up rebounds on the defensive end and was comfortable pushing the ball in transition.
Camron Willford (PG, Hyde Park)
The Lincoln Park transfer has a natural flow to his game. He’s 5-11 and athletic and has a nice drive-and-dish game. It took him a game or two to warm up, but once he did he was impressive attacking the basket. Defensively he has good instincts and forces turnovers.
DaMarion Morris (PG, Hyde Park)
Morris is just 5-9 but is a bowling ball. He did a bit of everything, rebounding exceptionally well for a guard and attacking the paint. He had active hands in on-ball defense and did a good job of finding teammates cutting.
Trey Hayes (PG, St. Ignatius)
Hayes was perhaps the quickest player on the court, and he was nuisance on the ball defensively. He had a nice handle and mid-range game.