2023 Wings to Watch This Season
This is my list of 2023 wings from across the state who I believe have a real chance to make a real difference for their teams. Expect them to begin to rise in ranks and start getting some attention from…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThis is my list of 2023 wings from across the state who I believe have a real chance to make a real difference for their teams. Expect them to begin to rise in ranks and start getting some attention from the next level! Be on the lookout for my other articles on the 2022, 2023 and 2024 athletes!
Jaylen Benard Jaylen Benard 6'3" | CG Cypress Ranch | 2023 State TX 2023 Wing Ranch High School
Jaylen is a skilled wing that is great at going coast to coast. He uses his frame and size well to battle for rebounds on the glass, on both sides of the court. He has good skill in the post and got to many shots using a plethora of moves to move his defender around. He showed great skill utilizing the up and under and got his smaller defenders to bite on shot fakes, and also rose over them for easy bunny hooks in the paint. He is great at creating for himself with a live dribble and showed a good ability to not only go coast to coast but to get to a pull up jumper from the mid-range and behind the arc.
Jamari McDowell Jamari McDowell 6'5" | SG Manvel | 2023 State #137 Nation TX 2023 Combo Guard/ Wing Manvel High School
Jamari is a very skilled player with an elite scoring ability and can fill up a box score with ease. He is a confident shooter from behind the arc, but his true prowess lies in his ability to get to the rim and finish. He has a multitude of moves and ability to get his shot up over defenders, showing great touch on his floater. He is great at finishing with either hand and he does not mind tight defense even from bigger defenders. His ball handling skill is also very evident, he has quick crossovers he utilizes to blow by defenders. He plays good on ball defense and made his opponents very uncomfortable when he guarded them, playing engaged full court defense and coming up with steals. His leaping ability also allows him to protect the rim and actually be a game changing force on the boards too, a true testament to his motor and hustle he plays the game with.
Rylan Kennedy Rylan Kennedy 6'4" | SF Mansfield Lake Ridge | 2023 TX 2023 Wing 6’5 Lake Ridge High School
Rylan is an athletic wing who knows how to finish with the best of them at the rim. He is a very impressive finisher; he bullies opponents out of the way when attacking the rim. He is a very aware player on the offensive end of the floor, he is a great passer out to his shooters, especially after he draws the attention of the defense. He is a great help defender and can slide out and guard positions 1-4 with ease. I would like to see him work on staying engaged and aggressive on defense. His jumper needs work as well, but he has time to correct some basic things with his shot and really transform his game and take it to the next level.
Jahid Karim Jahid Karim 6'3" Venus | 2023 TX 2023 Wing 6’3 Venus High School
Jahid is an explosive athlete who provides energy on both ends of the floor. He is a high level player who provides energy and tenacity to his team. He is an elite on ball defender but is also a great back side defender. He is a loud player who likes to call out switches and incoming screens. Karim is the definition of the ideal team defender. On offense, he has a reliable jump shot especially from the corners and wings. He can handle the ball well and put the ball on the floor to get to the paint. I would like to see continued development with his shot off the dribble behind the arc.
Carson Taylor Carson Taylor 6'4" | SF VR Eaton | 2023 TX 2023 Wing 6’3 VR Eaton High School
Carson is a hard-working wing who knows how to defend all positions on the floor. He fights hard for positioning underneath the basket and can play as a small ball forward if needed to. He displayed an ability to pick up guards the length of the court and wreak havoc as well. He seemed comfortable with his set shot in the midrange and beyond the arc. I would like to see him work on his ability to put the ball on the floor and attack space in the defense.
Levi Rutledge Levi Rutledge 6'6" | SG IMG Academy Post Grad (2024) | 2023 State TX – 2023 Wing 6’6 Cedar Park High School
Levi is a huge wing with a great feel for the game and high basketball IQ. He is a great decision maker with the ball, he operates well out of the high post and with his back to the basket and showed an ability to create for teammates in that format. He is great at finishing at the rim off the bounce, a skill that generates him a ton of easy and efficient offense. He is good at moving around contact at the rim and contorting his body to get a better look for himself. He is still growing and needs more time in the weight room to be better equipped to back down and utilize his size to his advantage more.
Matthew Hampton Matthew Hampton 6'2" Wakeland | 2023 TX 2023 Wing 6’2 Wakeland High School
Matthew is a great leaper who works and skies for every rebound. He boxes out well and does all of the little things right. I was impressed with his ability to put the ball on the floor and get his shot off the bounce. He even displayed strong facilitating ability and found his teammates for easy looks. I would like to see him be more aggressive when attacking the rim and finishing in the paint. I would also like to see continued development with a live dribble and his ability to beat defenders off the bounce.
Corleone Dandridge Corleone Dandridge 6'5" | SG Sunrise Christian | 2024 KS 2023 Wing 6’4 Berkner High School
Coreleone is a massive wing who moves well for his size and can put the ball on the floor and attack the basket. His leaping ability allows him to be a force in the lane. I was very impressed with his ability to box out defenders and fight on the glass. On the defensive end of the floor, he is a great secondary defender. I would like to see him work on his ability to protect the rim and also begin to incorporate scoring in the midrange off the bounce.