2023 Rankings Update: Top 10 Rundown
The Class of 2023 rankings were updated this past week, and there was some movement and new faces throughout the 31 players ranked. Here I want to highlight the top 10 players and what they bring to the table: …
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe Class of 2023 rankings were updated this past week, and there was some movement and new faces throughout the 31 players ranked. Here I want to highlight the top 10 players and what they bring to the table:
Omaha Biliew Omaha Biliew 6'8" | SF Link Academy | 2023 #14 Nation FL , Wing/Forward – Waukee High School
Class of 2023 #1 Player in Iowa
The highly touted, highly athletic player who transferred to Waukee High School in the offseason brings more size to the Warriors lineup to go along with athleticism. Biliew can shoot it out to the 3 point line, but also has the handles to take defenders to the hoop and score. His length and athleticism obviously cause problems for opponents scoring chances as he’s able to block shots and rebound the ball at a high level. The Warriors will be the favorite to take the 4A title this season going into it and Biliew will be a big part of their success.
Pryce Sandfort Pryce Sandfort 6'7" | SF Waukee Northwest | 2023 State #123 Nation IA , Guard/Wing – Waukee High School
Class of 2023 #2 Player in Iowa
Sandfort showed this summer why he’s ranked so high on all publications. He has a good feel for the game and knows where to go with the ball to create scoring opportunities. Sandfort’s offensive repertoire starts with his shooting but certainly doesn’t end there as he is able to draw defenders out with that ability and attack close-outs. Sandfort is still growing and developing his body but he has the ability to run the offense or slide off the ball and get open without the ball. Sandfort and Biliew will create a nice combo for Waukee for the next three years.
Blaise Porter Blaise Porter 6'1" | PG New London | 2023 State #298 Nation IA , Point Guard – New London High School
Class of 2023 #3 Player in Iowa
The Class of 2023 has quite the group of point guards that will continue to compete for the top point guard spot, but for now it’s Porter. Blaise is an athletic, do-it-all type point guard that effects the game in different ways. He’s a heady lead guard who finds cutters and the roll man well off of a ball screen. He’s good with patience when he’s on the ball and is good at changings speeds to get the defense off-balance. He likes to push the ball by the dribble or pass ahead and is a solid on-ball defender on the other side of the court.
Dallas Bear Dallas Bear 6'8" | SF Cedar Falls | 2023 State #276 Nation IA , Forward – Cedar Falls High School
Class of 2023 #4 Player in Iowa
A player who I think has a high ceiling with his frame and versatility. Bear is able to step out and shoot the 3 off the catch well but also uses his length inside when he goes to the low-post. He has a nice turn-around, right handed shot in the post and can shoot over the defense with his reach. He has a developing dribble drive game where he likes to use an in-and-out, crossover move that gets the defender on his hip. Once he fills out his frame more Bear will be a force at this level with potential at the next.
Elijah Vos Elijah Vos 6'4" | SF Hoover | 2023 State IA , Wing/Forward – Des Moines Hoover High School
Class of 2023 #5 Player in Iowa
Vos has been a name that I feel has been talked about ever since he started his High School career last year for the Huskies and the way he produced. The main thing that makes Vos’ game so good is his jumpshot. 8 foot, 12 feet, 15 feet, or 20 feet away from the basket it’s all the same to Vos. He has a smooth shooting stroke that is hard to defend against, if it sounds like you’ve heard that before, it’s because you have. Vos is developing other parts of his game as I’ve seen this summer and fall as he’s working on his ball handling and ability to run the point a little bit adding some versatility. The more developed his game becomes the higher his ceiling becomes.
Drew Kingery Drew Kingery 6'4" | SF Indianola | 2023 State IA , Guard/Wing – Indianola High School
Class of 2023 #6 Player in Iowa
A sharp-shooting guard who also has a little bounce to his game around the hoop. Kingery is a smooth player who doesn’t force shots up if it’s not there and takes what the defense gives. He really likes the corner 3 point shot and has a quick release off the catch. He shows good IQ off the ball in his movement to the open space in order to give his teammates an outlet to pass the ball to go along with the ability to come off of screens to score. The more he develops his offensive game off the dribble the better he can be.
Chase Henderson Chase Henderson 6'0" | PG Hoover | 2023 State IA , Point Guard – Des Moines Hoover High School
Class of 2023 #7 Player in Iowa
The second Hoover Huskie and the second point guard in our rankings could easily be the first in both categories and if the last weekend’s Expo was any indication how Henderson is coming this season he very well could overtake those spots. Henderson is a really quick point guard with the ball and shoots it well with range from the perimeter. He’s a good lead guard who just understands the game and how to get where he needs to go to put his team in a winning position. Henderson is a good breakout player going into the winter season even more than he already has.
Kade Benjamin Kade Benjamin 6'6" | PF New London | 2023 State IA , Wing/Forward – New London High School
Class of 2023 #8 Player in Iowa
Having watched Benjamin several times this summer with his AAU team the Iowa Barnstormers, I always felt like he left nothing in the tank when he was on the floor. He has some versatility as he is quick enough to go by defenders but athletic and long enough to score inside on defenders. Benjamin is a strong rebound and shows nice bounce when it comes to blocking shots and finishing around the rim. If he can develop his perimeter jumper and ball handling a little more he could be a prime wing prospect going forward.
Daniel Tobiloba Daniel Tobiloba 7'0" | C Grand View Christian | 2023 State IA , Center – Grand View Christian High School
Class of 2023 #9 Player in Iowa
A raw offensive post prospect right now, but an outstanding defensive presence when he’s on the court. Tobiloba is a player who you can put in the middle of the lane and have him block shots effortlessly on the defensive end, and then run the floor and get easy buckets with his length and athleticism on the offensive end. He’s pretty mobile for 6’10 and has a developing understanding of where to be on the floor. If he can improve his post moves and develop that part of his game more and more he could be a prospect that shoots up state rankings and even national ones.
Kenzie Reed Kenzie Reed 5'11" | PG Kennedy | 2023 State IA , Point Guard – Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School
Class of 2023 #10 Player in Iowa
The last point guard and player on this top 10 list is Kenzie Reed Kenzie Reed 5'11" | PG Kennedy | 2023 State IA who is probably the quickest of the three point guards on this list. Reed will break down his defender off the dribble and shows a a willingness to find teammates if he doesn’t have a driving lane himself. Though a little shorter in stature he’s good at finishing around the rim with either hand and knows how to use his body in order to either draw a foul or enhance his angle at the basket. He has a developing jumpshot and when he can consistently shoot it from the perimeter he will take his game to the next level.