2023 Wings Rankings (5-1)
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As we look at the first class of 2023 rankings in the state of VA, we will break down the positional rankings by guards, wings and big men. While we label prospects by six positions as far as point guards,…
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Continue ReadingAs we look at the first class of 2023 rankings in the state of VA, we will break down the positional rankings by guards, wings and big men. While we label prospects by six positions as far as point guards, combo guards, shooting guards, small forwards, power forwards and centers, I like to put some of them together to simplify things and do rankings based on the three main positions.
Today, we take a look at part three of the wings rankings, looking at the top five shooting guards and small forwards in the first class of 2023 rankings.
5) Jamie Kaiser Jamie Kaiser 6'6" | SF IMG Academy | 2023 State #67 Nation FL | 6’4” | Lake Braddock (#9 Overall)
After being named an All Region and All District player as a freshman at Braddock last year, Kaiser has started his sophomore year off with a bang as he’s one of the top scorers in the NOVA area, including a 43 point game already this year. A multi-sport athlete that also stars on the football and baseball fields, Kaiser is a versatile and athletic wing that can take over a game with his scoring ability but also brings it on the defensive end where he can use his length and athleticism to guard some of the top scorers in the area. He’s a knock down shooter from deep with good range, he is an athletic finisher above the rim and he has a good handle and can make plays too.
4) Steven Stinson Steven Stinson 6'5" | SF John Marshall | 2023 State VA | 6’4” | Trinity Episcopal (#8 Overall)
Stinson went from showing potential early in his freshman year to being a big part of Trinity’s run to the state semifinals and now he’ll take over the reigns as the go-to guy for the Titans whenever their season gets started. Stinson is a very strong and athletic wing that has a great scoring package and knows how to score the ball, but he’s also a high IQ playmaker who sees the floor and is able to create off the bounce as well. He plays hard on both ends of the floor and has a drive to win in everything, he’s a great rebounder on both ends and just a very good all-around player that stuffs the stat sheet across the board.
3) DeShawn Harris-Smith DeShawn Harris-Smith 6'5" | SF Paul VI | 2023 State #53 Nation VA | 6’4” | Paul VI (#4 Overall)
Harris-Smith was one of the top freshmen in the WCAC last year, and he had a great showing as PVI opened the season in the NIBC where Harris-Smith was one of the top rebounders with tons of national talent in the building. A high motor two-way impact guy, he’s the type of player that doesn’t need to have the ball in his hands or have a lot of plays run for him to be successful. He’s long and athletic and uses that to defend top scorers, he’s a big time rebounder on both ends and he thrives in transition where he can use his athleticism to score at and above the rim as well. He has tons of room to get better on the offensive end, and with his physical and athletic tools he’ll have a chance to be very good moving forward.
2) Dennis Parker Dennis Parker 6'6" | SF John Marshall | 2023 State #89 Nation VA Jr. | 6’6” | John Marshall (#3 Overall)
DPJ could easily end up the number one player in the class and has the resume to be it at this point, and I will readily admit that I could be wrong but it’s just the first rankings and we’ll see how everything turns out with development and everything. He’s already on national radars with offers from multiple high major programs across the country, and his blend of skill set, IQ and athleticism to go along with his impressive size at his age. He’s a wing who can play on or off the basketball and has terrific vision and playmaking ability on the basketball, he’s a guy who can score from multiple levels and he can rebound and defend multiple positions as well.
1) Curtis Blair | 6’5” | Steward School (#2 Overall)
Blair gets the slight nod over Parker for the top wing in the class, and it was his improvement over the past few years and trajectory of where he will end up that gave him the nod. When I first watched Blair, he was an undersized stretch four man that did much of his production as a spot up shooter and around the rim with put backs and duck ins. Now, he’s a guy who can work on the ball and is able to create space with wiggle and step backs, he can score it from all three levels and he’s shown improved confidence as a shooter and a slasher who can get to the rim and finish above it with consistency. He’s filled out nicely over the years and should continue to do so, and as he becomes more consistent and continues to polish his game up he has a chance to be a very impressive prospect moving forward.