Class of 2023: The Top Ten
The class of 2023 rankings were released on Tuesday of the this week. While no one was surprised about the player at the top of the rankings, the other nine have unique traits as well. We will take a brief…
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Continue ReadingThe class of 2023 rankings were released on Tuesday of the this week. While no one was surprised about the player at the top of the rankings, the other nine have unique traits as well. We will take a brief look at who constitutes the top 10 rising sophomores and things to watch about each one this coming season.
#1 Chris Lockett Chris Lockett 6'5" | CG Isidore Newman | 2023 State #180 Nation LA / 6’5″ / Isidore Newman – Lockett is one of the few nationally rated players that Louisiana has. While he may be one of a small number, he is as good as advertised. Lockett scores at all levels with flash and flair. He lost running mate Javon Ruffin but that should not stop Lockett from being one of the candidates for player of the year by seaon’s end.
#2 Tyler Ringgold Tyler Ringgold 6'7" | SF Legacy Early College | 2023 State SC / 6’7″ / Southern Lab – Ringgold has grown since the high school season ended and now is a legitimate 6’7″. After playing on the perimeter more for Southern Lab, he spent a lot of time in the paint this grassroots season with LivOn. He knows how to use his height advantage and he can take bigs off the dribble. Ringgold will be an all-district player again and should be one of Lab’s leaders this season.
#3 John Kelly John Kelly 6'7" | SF John Ehret | 2023 State #237 Nation LA / 6’7″ / Crescent City – Kelly showed that he can be an active big in the paint during many of his grassroots contest with LivOn. He rebounds the ball well and showed that he can finish after being fouled. He will find it tougher to rebound during the high school season but his work during grassroots should prepare him for rebounding in traffic. Crescent City usually plays a tough schedule so Kelly will have to be ready.
#4 Corey Chest Corey Chest 6'7" | SF McMain | 2023 #94 Nation MO / 6’5″ / McMain – Chest is one very athletic player. He spent a lot of time blocking shots on one end, running the floor hard, and finishing with dunks or alleys. His athleticism makes him hard to defend even with a raw offensive game. Adding him to the talent McMain already has will make them very dangerous this season.
#5 Corey Skillman Corey Skillman 6'4" | SG Brother Martin | 2023 TX / 6’3″ / Brother Martin – Skillman is one of the better shooters in the 2023 class and he displayed as much firing from deep this summer for the LivOn 15U team. He is great at spotting up off of penetration and is improving on his ability to handle the rock. The game should slow down for him this season after playing plenty last year. Look for him to take a big share of the scoring load for Brother Martin this year.
#6 Jamaria Clark Jamaria Clark 6'2" | CG Doyline | 2023 State LA / 6’1″ / Doyline – Spot time as an 8th grader turned into being a major contributor during Doyline’s championship season as a true freshman. Clark can light it up from deep and is not afraid to take it the paint. His ability to score and to be a leader on the floor will be needed by the Panthers after losing four seniors. With that said, look for Clark to shine as Doyline defends their state title.
#7 Jahiem Johnson Jahiem Johnson 6'1" | CG Hammond | 2023 State LA / 6’0″ / Loranger – Johnson spent his grassroots season putting pressure on defenses across the south. Whether he played against 15U or 17U competition, Johnson was hard for guards to defend. His ability to get to the rim and finish is next level. Once he begins to hit a jumper, Johnson will be a perennial all-district and all-state player. He is a true playmaker.
#8 Malachi Evans Malachi Evans 6'9" | C Hamilton Christian | 2023 State LA / 6’9″ / Hamilton Christian – The Hamilton Christian post effects plenty in the paint. He is good at blocking shots, rebounding on both ends, and offensive rebound put backs. Evans needs to improve on changing ends of the floor but that will come with experience and maturity. His height will create many a mismatch and give him an advantage on the offensive end.
#9 Lakavin Thomas Lakavin Thomas 6'0" | CG Bossier | 2023 State LA / 6’0″ / Bossier – Thomas is a battle-tested guard after helping the Bearkats make their run to the 3A state title. He is an explosive guard who is very good in the open floor. Thomas can score at multiple levels but seems to be best at driving to the cup. With his explosiveness, watch him be factor in Bossier’s attempt to repeat in class 3A.
#10 Kameron Evans Kameron Evans 6'2" | CG Huntington | 2023 State LA / 6’2″ / Huntington – The Huntington guard has been a starter since early last season and has not looked back. He can let it go from deep and is very good at making the corner three. Evans also rebounds the ball well as a guard. Playing next to Rayshun McCullar Rayshun McCullar 6'1" | PG Huntington | 2022 State LA should give Evans plenty of opportunities to score. If he does, watch out for a big season from him.
This top ten is a very talented group with a lot of upside. They should all be big factors in the success of their respective teams this season.