2023 Rankings Update: Newest Top-5
The freshmen class is always challenging and one that will mostly be a watch list as it has not many players getting varsity minutes, some played JV and a ton that we have not seen. Some stood out, however, and…
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Continue ReadingThe freshmen class is always challenging and one that will mostly be a watch list as it has not many players getting varsity minutes, some played JV and a ton that we have not seen. Some stood out, however, and turned their heads in their first year in high school. Here we take a look at the Top-5 in the class, which seems to be loaded with potential.
Baye Fall Baye Fall 6'11" | C Luthern Christian | 2023 State #13 Nation CO – Lutheran
A bright future lies ahead for Fall as he is starting to get national attention after being named as the 6th best freshman in the nation, according to ESPN. He was named as a First-Team All-State member after leading Lutheran to a 21-4 record. The 6’11 phenom averaged 19.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Big men are said to develop at a slower rate, not with Fall. He is an advanced defensive standout who protects the rim like no other player in the state. He is an elite rim protector that times shots, gets deflections, and alters shots without fouling and can get out on the break and go. What separated Fall from any other big man, maybe in the country, is his remarkable motor. Fall is incredibly mobile for his size and has shown some offensive upside. He is hitting hook shots, does not avoid contact and finishes with bodies draped around him, has a smooth mid-range pullup, and has soft touch around the rim. He is not a big man that can be fouled and sent to the foul line because he knocks them down, and mixing an improving offensive game with next-level defensive instincts is exactly why he is considered the state’s best player with the highest ceiling. Things are coming alone for Fall, and as long as he can channel it with developing a winning and positive attitude while staying healthy, nothing is stopping Fall from making it to the big leagues. Fall is a player that is being heavily recruited, and I feel will make it to the league. He just has to remain humble and ready to outwork everyone else. Fall is the top player in the class.
Assane Diop Assane Diop 6'10" | PF Belleview Christian | 2023 State #107 Nation CO – Belleview Christian
Diop is a player that many heard about after going over to Resurrection Christian and having impressive numbers, but now, with eyes on him, it is easy to see why he is one of the state’s best. In my opinion, Diop has the highest ceiling of anyone in the state, as he is the most versatile. There is nothing on the basketball court that this 6’10 do-it-all forward can’t do. He brings the ball up the floor, he sees the entire floor and is a willing passer that takes chances, and he is also a defender that can guard multiple positions. The 6’10 standout put up an incredible stat line of 16.6 points, 7.7 assists and 18.9 boards a game. He also had an insane five blocks a game to go along with it. Diop only played in 12 games last season and took that into the summer, where he started to receive national attention as well and lead one of the best 16U teams in the state. Diop showed flashes of being a big-time scorer with good size and length, and also creates separation with ease. He has a back to the basket game or gets to his sweet spots in the mid-range game. His jumper extends to the three-point line, although he will have to work on consistency and when he puts his head down and decides to get to the rim, good luck. With his length, he can be an intriguing, multifaceted two-way player at a HM school. It will be interesting to see if he sticks to the point-forward option that he looks most natural at or decide to take over as a big man that dominates inside. Regardless, the state is starting to take notice as he will most likely be the 1A player of the year and instantly makes the Bruins a favorite to win it all this season. He is the No.2 player in the state, and HM offers will undoubtedly continue to come after the summer that he had in preparation for a big season.
Marzouq Abdur-Razaaq Marzouq Abdur-Razaaq 6'7" | SF Accelerated Prep | 2023 State CO – Overland
Marzouq is a player who saw his stock rise this summer as the more you see him, the more you love the things that he can do on the court. The Overland mobile forward is a player that played on arguably the best JV team in the state as a freshman with minimal varsity minutes but now will make the jump and will most likely be their most intriguing player. Marzouq has the ability to affect the game in various ways, and his versatility has him as the No.3 player in the class. He is an excellent rebounder that can take it off the defensive glass and push it on his own as was seen this summer in private runs and with the Colorado Hawks for coast to coast drives. He also displayed athleticism around the hoop on several difficult finishes and blocks shots as well. Marzouq is a player that showcases a high IQ with his positioning; he is comfortable with the ball in his hands and also is an excellent finisher with either hand around the rim. He has a set of go-to moves, makes quick decisions on the fly, sets hard screens, and is an excellent two-way option with high upside. He is a creative playmaker that makes sound decisions, is always around the action, and making things happen and challenges himself on both ends of the floor. Marzouq uses his length on both ends of the floor and has an excellent frame. I am excited to see the completed package for him when it is all said and done as I feel that he has the makings to be a really special player. Buy stock.
Christian Hammond Christian Hammond 6'3" | SG Colorado Prep | 2023 #160 Nation CA-S – Cherry Creek
Hammond is a highly touted scoring guard that is creative with the ball in his hands and offers a bit of everything, but that name of the game is buckets. Hammond has scoring in his blood and follows the family name as a big-time shooter that scores in bunches. Hammond does whatever he wants on the court and showcased that as he was able to put the ball in the basket with hard drives, soft mid-range pullups, and maybe the best outside shot in the class. Hammond is a shifty lead guard that runs the offense but also can play off of the ball and score in iso situations as well. He breaks the defense down, finishes nicely around the basket, and understands what to do with his size already as he has excellent body control. As a freshman, Hammond got his feet wet and gave valuable minutes whenever he did get to play varsity but dominated on JV as he can score with the best of them. He is the No.4 player in the class and is a player that I do not see leaving the Top-5 for his high school tenure. This will be a fun season for him surrounded by two of the state’s best backcourt options and will be a year that he continues to grow while also being a player the team relies on as well.
Christian Drummond Christian Drummond 6'2" | CG Doherty | 2023 State CO – Doherty
Drummond is not a player with much varsity minutes but will step into a situation where he is relied on next season for Doherty. Drummond has ideal size for a true floor general, and has sneaky athleticism as he can get above the rim and finish. What separates him is his ability to see the floor. Drummond is an excellent passer with remarkable court awareness. He sees plays before they happen, actively looks for teammates to get open, and takes care of the ball. Drummond has an improving motor and can do things that other guards aren’t interested in. He is an exceptional rebounder with quick second jumps, has active hands that can earn deflections, and is not afraid to get in and mix it in. Drummond is a guard that you want to put the ball in his hands, but he moves without the ball and finds gaps in the defense. With an improved jump shot, he will be challenging to slow down and is a player that I am excited to watch this year. He rounds out the Top-5 and will have plenty of work to do if he wants to stay in the Top-5 in what could shape up as a strong class.