Updated 2023 Player Rankings Roundtable
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Earlier this week our updated 2023 player rankings went live and as usual, the gang got together to address three questions surrounding the update.
1. There were a few shake ups in the top 10. Who do you feel did the most to boost their respective ranking?
Giacubeno: We tend not to see a ton of movement within the top five, but it was only right to put Carlton Carrington Carlton Carrington 6'4" | CG St. Frances | 2023 State #84 Nation MD at No. 2. Factor in his summer for Team Melo where he had a strong showing throughout EYBL play and now that he has become a main option for nationally ranked St. Frances and what you have is strong support to the argument. Now standing 6-foot-4, Carrington is a very fundamentally sound player who is a high-level shot maker from mid-range and three. His IQ and feel continue to improve over time and as St. Frances continues to take down some of the nation’s top programs, it’ll only bolster his confidence moving forward.
Ayalew: I believe Jayden Ross Jayden Ross 6'7" | SF Long Island Lutheran | 2023 #144 Nation MD continues to show progression in his overall game and deserves to continue climbing up the rankings. His production has remained solid as he continues to scratch the surface. Ross has been a human highlight reel so far this season, and I expect that trend to continue.
Wilson: Now that Malik Mack Malik Mack 6'0" | PG St. John’s | 2023 State #260 Nation MD is back healthy and playing consistently, he made a move into the top 10. Mack has grown a good amount since we last saw him and has showcased his playmaking skills at the lead guard position early on this season for St. John’s. Mack, who is a lefty, has also shown that he can make shots from different areas on the floor. All of this has helped him get a lift in his recruitment as he took an unofficial visit to Richmond this past fall.
Giacubeno: Mount St. Joe guard Austin Abrams Austin Abrams 6'3" | SG Mount St. Joseph | 2023 State MD is one that will be on my radar. Now ranked as the No. 13 prospect, he received a major boost thanks to his pure shooting ability and extreme efficiency this season for the 11-3 Gaels. He was missing last night in their loss against Mt. Carmel and you could clearly see the floor spacing that provides players such as 2023 Ace Valentine Ace Valentine 6'2" | PG Mount St. Joseph | 2023 State MD , 2023 Amani Hansberry Amani Hansberry 6'7" | C Mount St. Joseph | 2023 State #52 Nation MD and 2024 Bryson Tucker Bryson Tucker 6'7" | CG IMG Academy | 2024 #15 Nation FL to play with. He’s more creative off the bounce than people realize and also is improving his on-ball defense.
Ayalew: I gotta show some love to Nick Viqueira Nick Viqueira 6'2" | CG Bullis | 2023 State MD from Bullis here. He’s clearly been in the lab. Viqueira has grown physically while adding to his skill set. He also brings winning intangibles that coaches look for.
Wilson: Terrell Webster Terrell Webster 6'3" | PG McKinley Tech | 2023 State MD has made serious strides over the past year and a half and is off to a very nice start this season for McKinley Tech. Webster has the chance to put up serious numbers each night for McKinley Tech and is only a matter of time when college coaches really start to track him hard.
Giacubeno: One player that I have my eye on is New Town guard Cameron Sparrow Cameron Sparrow 6'3" | CG New Town | 2023 State MD . He’s 6-foot-3 with plus length for his height and a frame that could be intriguing to college programs. The one concern is that he hasn’t filled out much since entering high school. With that being said, he has a smooth approach to the game as a combo guard and can get going from three at any time. He’ll be a major piece for the Titans this season as they look to flex their muscles in Baltimore County play.
Ayalew: A kid who is not currently ranked but is on our watch list, Ben Bradford Ben Bradford 6'2" | SG Gaithersburg | 2023 State MD from Gaithersburg, will probably be included in the next update once we get eyes on him. Bradford is a lanky guard who has apparently grown during the pandemic and is putting up numbers for the 3-2 Trojans.
Wilson: Jeremiah Quigley Jeremiah Quigley 5'9" | PG Bishop McNamara | 2023 State MD is certainly going to move up in the rankings as he has been a key contributor for Bishop McNamara as they are making a surge right now in the WCAC. Quigley is a consistent and crafty scorer for the Mustangs that has all the tools to make another leap in our next rankings update.