Prep Hoop All-State Honorable Mentions

With the last edition of the All-State Team we round out the top 20 prospects in the state this year. With exceptional guard play, dominant bigs, and versatile wings here are the Prep Hoops All-State Honorable Mentions RJ Johnson RJ Johnson 6'3" | PG Grissom | 2023 State #166 Nation AL 6’3 PG Grissom 2023  Johnson is a big physical guard who commands the point guard position with heady plays and an unmatched size and athleticism combo. Johnson has a sixth sense of knowing when his guys are getting open and is one of the rare players who see things a step ahead. He can throw teammates open, make outlet passes, make timely dump-off passes, and hit shooters in their pocket when creating off the dribble drive. In addition, Johnson’s bulldog approach allows him to dominate the paint as a scorer. He uses his body well on drives when getting his shoulders ahead of defenders to bump defenders off, initiate contact at the basket, and finish through bigs. He also has a vertical explosion that allows him to play above the rim and be a legitimate lob threat off-ball and a consistent contributor to the offensive rebounding efforts.  https://twitter.com/2LiveQ_/status/1470986965726203911?s=20&t=AyatkjmhebIyUS8-qEX0yw Caleb Paige Caleb Paige 6'5" | CG Eufala | 2022 State #NA Nation AL SG 6’5 Eufaula 2023  With the emphasis on three and d wings, Paige’s positional value and skill set make him one of the more underrated players in the state. With size, shooting, and defensive acumen Paige can fit into any scheme and contribute right away and contributed as a leader for a highly ranked Eufaula team. Paige’s ability to shoot off the catch creates optimal spacing in the halfcourt and a dangerous weapon in transition if the defense loses him. As a defender, he has the size to be a multi-positional defender. In addition, he has quick hands and feet, enabling him to disrupt drives, passing lanes, and make timely rotations. He also uses these physical tools to impact the boards significantly and is an excellent rebounder for his position.  https://twitter.com/CalebPaige4/status/1492961565376716808?s=20&t=AyatkjmhebIyUS8-qEX0yw Rylan Houck Rylan Houck 6'5" | SF Oxford | 2022 State #NA Nation AL 6’5 SF/SG Oxford 2022  Houck is a solid two-way prospect that can do everything sufficiently on the court. As a rangy wing, he can fluctuate between the 1-3 due to his ability to put the ball on the ground make plays for himself and others. Houck operated in the halfcourt with a solid mid-range jumper and shot beyond the arch. He is also efficient with his dribble and knows how to get to his spot within a structured offense effectively. As a defender, he’s fundamentally sound and forces opponents to shoot over his length. He does an excellent job of staying in front and shutting down attempts at drives and paint penetration.  https://twitter.com/LipscombMBB/status/1458575441711747075?s=20&t=AyatkjmhebIyUS8-qEX0yw   Ti’avian Scruggs Ti’avian Scruggs 6'5" | SF Hzel Green | 2022 State #NA Nation AL 6’5 SF/PF Hazel Green 2022  Scruggs consistently excelled in his role as a small-ball four and being an enforcer as an inside presence. He runs the floor with conviction, has solid hands, and the strength to finish through contact. He can also stretch the floor as a spot-up shooter and create shots for himself when playing off the pump fake—making him a solid complementary player to ball-dominant guards, bigs, and primary playmakers. Scruggs also uses his sturdy frame to dominate the offensive boards with tenacity, timing, and simply out-working opponents. He’s a player that every team needs; he contributes with consistency, efficiency, and versatility as an excellent glue guy.  https://twitter.com/Jeff_jhallfotos/status/1472619729772855297?s=20&t=AyatkjmhebIyUS8-qEX0yw Marquavias ‘Tay’ Knox Marquavias ‘Tay’ Knox 6'8" | C Charles Henderson | 2022 State AL 6’8 C/ PF Charles Henderson 2022  Knox is a defensive big man with solid length, skill, and a high motor. He showed a persistent desire to dominate opponents with emphatic dunks and soul-crushing blocks throughout the season. He does an excellent job of playing to his size and using his length to full advantage in every aspect of the game. He excels with the timing of steals and blocks while also staying in front of shifty guards. As a rebounder, he’s sound and goes for the ball at its apex, minimizing any chances of smaller players getting extra possessions. Offensively Knox showed flashes of potential with occasional jump shots and post moves. However, his dominance as a lob threat, put-back machine, and dunker spot specialist can translate to the next level with his size and athleticism.  https://twitter.com/ITay6k/status/1491200936789913601?s=20&t=AyatkjmhebIyUS8-qEX0yw