Updated Class of 2022 Rankings: Top Newcomers
The Class of 2022 rankings have been updated and since our last go-around a number of new names have popped onto the radar for this iteration. Here’s a closer look at the top newcomers to the list.
#13 – Malik Rose Malik Rose 5'8" | PG Central Catholic | 2022 CA-N (2022 Central Catholic)
Rose is not only a newcomer to the 2022 rankings, he’s a newcomer to Oregon period as he moves up from Folsom in the Sacramento area where he was a starter the past two seasons. The 5-foot-8 point guard is predictably quick but is also very capable of playing with pace. He cut his teeth on Oregon basketball this spring and summer playing with International Elite on its 17U squad and should be an impact player at Central Catholic this year.
#17 – Peter Burke Peter Burke 6'4" | SF Tualatin | 2022 State OR (2022 Tualatin)
The only reason Burke is a newcomer to this iteration of the 2022 rankings is because it was an absolute oversight we didn’t have him ranked previously. The 6-foot-4 swingman was a key rotation guy at Tualatin last year and he showed his stuff with Elite 24 this fall. Burke is a versatile player who can play multiple positions on both sides of the ball and is an excellent ball-handler and passer for his size.
#31 – Matthew Forsyth Matthew Forsyth 6'4" | SG Churchill | 2022 State OR (2022 Churchill)
Forsyth makes his debut on the 2022 rankings with the potential to move up higher as we get a closer look at him. The 6-foot-4 wing excels at the catch-and-shoot game and with his height and length, and is improving with his ball skills. Forsyth, who was at Marist last year, has been playing at Oregon club basketball’s highest level with older players with Oregon Prospects and the US Basketball Academy on The Grind Session.
#35 – Marshall Allen Marshall Allen 6'6" | SG Tillamook | 2022 State OR (2022 Tillamook)
Allen was one of the busiest players this off-season playing travel basketball, first playing with International Elite and then switching to Elite 24. The 6-foot-4 wing/forward has the ability to score from the perimeter while posting up smaller players in the paint and can defend multiple positions as well. Allen should be one of 4A’s best this upcoming season.
#38 – Jake Leibelt Jake Leibelt 6'5" | PF Crescent Valley | 2022 State OR (2022 Crescent Valley)
Leibelt is another name we hadn’t heard prior to this off-season but got a look at him during club ball with Elite 24. The 6-foot-5 forward is a bit undersized inside but he makes up for the lack of height with his strength, toughness, and most importantly his willingness to do the dirty work. Leibelt is effective on the glass on both ends, finishes well at the glass, and can also step out and hit open jumpers out to three-point range.
#41 – Bugsy Jensen Bugsy Jensen 6'1" | CG Churchill | 2023 State OR (2022 Churchill)
Nicknamed “Bugsy”, Jensen played with both Oregon Prospects and Elite 24 this summer and fall and really impressed with his high motor on both ends of the floor. The 6-foot-1 combo guard is all over the court on defense and won a lot of 50/50 loose balls. Jensen was on the varsity roster on senior-laded Churchill last season but will have a much bigger role this year.
#42 – Spencer McKelligon Spencer McKelligon 6'3" | SF Jesuit | 2022 State OR (2022 Jesuit)
McKelligon is another oversight we had on the previous list but it’s corrected now. The 6-foot-3 forward started for Jesuit’s state tournament qualifying team and was a solid team guy along the frontline. McKelligon works hard in the paint, sets hard screens, and finishes well near the hoop. The football standout posseses a soft touch on his face-up jumper as well.
#43 – Benjamin Cheung Benjamin Cheung 6'4" | SG Valley Catholic | 2022 State OR (2022 Valley Catholic)
Cheung cut his teeth on club basketball this summer with International Elite’s 16U squad and had some high scoring games. The 6-foot-3 lefty shoots it well from the perimeter but has also been developing his mid-range game. Cheung spent the fall in Taiwan working out with the country’s international squad and could really emerge as an offensive force at Valley Catholic this upcoming season.
#45 – Payton Meyers Payton Meyers 6'6" | CG Canby | 2022 State OR (2022 North Marion)
We saw a bit of Meyers during the season, where he largely played a role as North Marion’s sixth man. The 6-foot-5 junior’s specialty is shooting from three but he also has the ability to attack the basket and use his length to finish. Meyers is a good enough ball-handler to shift over the point and he had some good games for Elite 24 this fall. With Sergio Jimenez Sergio Jimenez 6'2" | SF North Marion | 2020 State OR graduating, look for Meyers to get a lot more offensive opportunities.
#46 – Koa Bacci Koa Bacci 6'8" | PF Lake Oswego | 2022 State OR (2022 Lake Oswego)
Bacci spent last season in relative obscurity playing JV at Southridge but could have a much bigger role this upcoming year at Lake Oswego. The 6-foot-8 big man showed good mobility in the paint and the ability to run the floor and finish with International Elite’s 16U squad and has a fairly nice touch on his face-up jumper. There’s still work to do but the potential is there.