2023 Rankings: SEPA Players to Watch in July
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[player_tooltip player_id="1200778" first="Jedaya" last="Ortega"] of Reading KTB. In late June we published our Class of 2023 prospect rankings and by now you are familiar with the names at the top of our list like Rodney Gallagher Rodney Gallagher 6'0" |…
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Continue ReadingIn late June we published our Class of 2023 prospect rankings and by now you are familiar with the names at the top of our list like Rodney Gallagher Rodney Gallagher 6'0" | CG Laurel Highlands | 2023 State #176 Nation PA , Davion Hill Davion Hill 6'0" | CG St. John Neumann | 2023 State PA , Justin Edwards Justin Edwards 6'6" | PF Imhotep Charter | 2023 State #3 Nation PA and Darrien Grady Darrien Grady 5'9" | PG Shipley School | 2023 State PA . So today we decided to take a deep dive into Prephoops.com’s Pennsylvania Class of 2023 rankings to reveal some names outside the Top 50 we believe you should become more familiar with during the summer recruiting period.
All of the names below are very talented 2023 southeastern Pennsylvania prospects who are primed to have their breakout on the grassroots circuit here in July 2021.
#66… Mark Butler Mark Butler 5'10" | PG William Penn Charter | 2023 State PA – 5’10” / Penn Charter / Philly Pride National UAA / Point Guard: This undersized guard owns elite quickness and a change of pace ability that is just nasty. His slick handles allow Butler to score at the rim whenever he desires and create drive-and-kick opportunities for his teammates. Butler’s extraordinary toughness and the ability to absorb contact have earned him the honor of being labeled a typical “Philly Guard”. Last month at the Mid Atlantic Independent School tournament his 3-point shooting showed significant improvement. Butler averaged 15.6 points and 4 assist per game at that event and led PC to a 3-0 record. He recently picked up an offer from George Washington and after Butler crushes it on the July grassroots circuit, we expect more offers to come streaming in.
#75… Zion Stanford Zion Stanford 6'5" | SF West Catholic | 2023 State PA – 6’5” / West Catholic / K-Low Elite / Wing: Stanford is a long, versatile and athletic prospect who can play multiple positions. The do it all wing can fill the lane in transition or push the rock up the floor himself. His jumper has range out to the arc where he hits at a high percentage. However, if a defender closes out on Stanford too quickly, he is also very comfortable putting the ball on the floor and playing downhill. At the Battle for the Bell Stanford was very impressive posting 26 points vs. Team Final EYBL and probably a 14-spot against Philly Pride National. K-Low was 2-0 on that Saturday.
#99… Madison Tatom Madison Tatom 5'11" | SG Upper Merion | 2023 State PA – 6’0” / Upper Merion / PSB Philly / Point Guard: Tatom used his very noteworthy 2020-21 high school season (1st Team All Pioneer Athl. Conf. selection) as a launching point for a tremendous spring that has garnered him a good deal of attention. However he has barely scratched the surface of his potential. He is an outstanding catch and shoot three point specialist who can stretch a defense in order to create space for teammates. In addition to being a lethal perimeter shooter, Tatom can use his quick burst and creative handles to get to the hoop for a bucket. When he wasn’t scoring the rock, Tatom used his high basketball IQ and excellent court vision to facilitate for others. Lastly, Tatom is an excellent rebounding guard.
#108…De’Majh Salisbury – 6’0” / LaAcademia Charter / Philly Pride National UAA / Point Guard: Salisbury’s play this spring was very good, but if this lead guard continues to play at the level he did at the Battle for the Bell, then we expect numerous major DI offers will come pouring in this month. Salisbury was one of the best scoring guards at the BFTB event. That’s really saying something give the talent level at Cristo Rey’s gym on Saturday. He showed the ability to hit threes, score off the dribble-drive and get out in transition. Additionally, Salisbury showed that he can defend at an elite level and is an excellent rebounding guard. In Philly Pride’s recent upset win over Team Final EYBL Salisbury had the critical assist on Augustus Gerhart Augustus Gerhart 6'9" | PF Hill School | 2023 State PA ’s game winning corner jump shot at the buzzer.
#146… Matt Mayock Matt Mayock 6'4" | SG Westtown School | 2023 State PA – 6’4” / Westtown School / East Coast Power-Rap / Combo Guard: Mayock’s reputation as a high level spot up shooter proceeds him, but this spring and into June he definitely showed that he is developing into a more complete player. He scored off the bounce and was very effective in pick-n-roll and pick-n-pop action. At the Southern Jam Fest (one of the marquee spring tournaments on the East Coast) he scored 20 points in a win over the Fairfax Stars (VA) and averaged 15 ppg. over the weekend (2-2). In June during the Mid-Atlantic Independent Shootout Mayock was very impressive for Westtown and is now tracking as a DI prospect.
#249… Jedaya Ortega Jedaya Ortega 6'4" | SF Reading | 2023 State PA – 6’4” / Reading / Reading KTB / Small Forward: Thanks to Ortega’s outstanding play this spring the Reading KTB 16U squad had a 10 game span where they posted a 9-1 record. During that stretch they won their division at the E3 Challenge (PA) and lost in the ‘chip game at ZG’s The Summit (PA). Ortega displayed a soft touch around the basket which is complimented by good footwork. So he can definitely be a force on the interior. Thanks to a nice jumper, Ortega if also a threat in the 12 to 15 foot range. In June Ortega was also a major factor for Reading HS at the Philly HS Live event.
#296… Augustus Gerhart Augustus Gerhart 6'9" | PF Hill School | 2023 State PA – 6’9’ / Hill School / Philly Pride National UAA / Power Forward: On the spring grassroots circuit, Gerhart (a.k.a. “Big Aug”) really made his presence known on the interior at both ends of the floor. On offense, Gerhart showed off decent foot work and a soft touch in close with either hand. He was very active on the offensive glass and converted second chance ops at a high rate. At the defensive end of the floor he is an intimidating rim protector and cleans the glass. But, do not make the mistake of thinking Gerhart is a plodding big. No chance. This prospect is a very athletic forward, so he can play above the rim, is a capable three point shooter and can guard smaller players out on the perimeter. We practically guarantee that Gerhart will have a big July and thus move up in our next set of ’23 rankings.
Not Ranked… Charlie Thornton Charlie Thornton 6'4" | SF Radnor | 2023 State PA – 6’4’’ / Radnor / SJ Hoops Elite-Grey / Wing: During the 2020-21 high schools season Thornton was known as a long, wiry athlete who can run the floor, block shots and convert on second chance opportunities. However this spring he displayed an improved ability to score off the bounce and significant confidence in a progressing 3-point stroke. In late May Thornton recorded a 20-spot during the Big Shots / Team Final tournament championship game. Then in June at high school team events such as the Rider University Camp, Philly HS Live (Session I) and Millersville University Camp, Thornton proved that effort was no fluke by continuing to show off his developing offensive skills. If his game continues to move forward at this pace and he posts a solid July, Thornton’s long range upside would be very attractive to college coaches.