Ranked 2023 Bigs Making Waves
In this article:
Updates to the 2023 rankings saw 13 new players added. Forwards jumping into the list joined a solid group of rising juniors. New additions like Easton Ewing Easton Ewing 6'6" | PF Independence | 2023 State KS (27) and Ryan…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingUpdates to the 2023 rankings saw 13 new players added. Forwards jumping into the list joined a solid group of rising juniors. New additions like Easton Ewing Easton Ewing 6'6" | PF Independence | 2023 State KS (27) and Ryan Kuckelman Ryan Kuckelman 6'6" | PF Macksville | 2023 State KS (64) were added for their great work during the school season, while guys like Jace Steinmetz Jace Steinmetz 6'3" | SF Garden City | 2023 State KS (56) and Fernando Gracia Fernando Gracia 6'6" | PF Olathe North | 2023 KS (73) entered the ranks due to brilliant play this spring.
Prep Hoops will be watching the summer tournaments for other 2023s who merit inclusion to the list, which will be updated in September.
Some of the ballers who were already on the list have impressed this summer. Here’s a quick look at the recent work of some of the wings/posts in the 2023 rankings:
1 Will Anciaux Will Anciaux 6'6" | PF Kapaun Mt Carmel | 2023 State KS , 6-foot-6 forward, TBB KS, Kapaun Mt. Carmel HS:
Anciaux is carrying the success of his sophomore season, in which he received honorable mention in 5A, over to the summer. He’s got elite athleticism for a men with his length, running the floor and handling the ball in the open court. He can catch and score on the run in transition, including receiving the occasional ally-oop dunk. He can score at every level, and has smooth footwork in the post. He gets after it at the defensive end too, making him a very versatile baller.
3 Caleb Wiese Caleb Wiese 6'4" | SF Garden City | 2023 State KS , 6-foot-3 forward, Western Kansas Elite, Garden City HS:
Playing up with 2022s (and some 2021s) is pushing Wiese this summer. Physically, he can take it. He’s a big, strong athlete who knows how to compete. He crashes the boards and fills the lane for the running club from Western Kansas. He provides the guard-oriented club with some muscle and intimidation in the post. He’s a coach’s delight who works hard and doesn’t show a big ego.
19 Jack Voth Jack Voth 6'6" | PF J.T. Hoggard | 2023 State NC , 6-foot-5 forward, TBB KS, Buhler HS:
Voth is a solidly built and powerful forward who gets it done inside and out. He makes powerful moves against post players, backing them down, spinning around them and shooting over them. He can take a defender out to the perimeter and bury the 3-pointer. He’s athletic enough to get out and run, and to get to a spot for an open shot. But he’s got the power and the attitude to also get in the lane and mix it up.
29 Eli Shetlar Eli Shetlar 6'4" | SG Andover | 2023 State KS , 6-foot-4 forward, TBB KS, Andover HS:
Shetlar could be better categorized as a big guard, but at his size, he slips well into this category. He’s long and wiry, able to knife through defenses and create plays. He is a good ball handler, sees the court well, and makes a variety of plays for TBB KS. He’s showing this summer why he’ll be one of the biggest risers next high school season.
44 Bryson Perez Bryson Perez 6'4" | SG Andover Central | 2023 KS , 6-foot-4 forward, Wichita Padres-Kiem, Wichita Trinity (pictured):
Perez is a dynamic athlete at his length. He can handle the ball and attack the rim. He’s showing a real leadership for the Padres, picking up a lot of the ball handling and making sure he’s a threat the defense must account for. He runs the floor well and has a nice combination of power and agility, able to slither through a defense to get to the hole. His outside stroke demands attention from defenses too.
50 Wyatt Spexarth Wyatt Spexarth 6'3" | SF Andale | 2023 State KS , 6-foot-3 forward, Wichita Padres-Kiem, Andale HS:
Spexarth is showing he can score for the Padres this summer. There wasn’t much doubt about his athleticism and his ability to defend. This summer he’s demonstrating his touch from deep and that he can take some of the ball handling duties. He’s got long arms to defend the post, get into passing lanes and block shots.