Reason for the Ranking: Top 20
This month we introduce our updated Class of 2023 rankings!! Rankings are subjective and PrepHoops.com ranks purely upon potential and where the player will be at their basketball peak. Production factors in only when helping prove the potential is greater…
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Continue ReadingThis month we introduce our updated Class of 2023 rankings!! Rankings are subjective and PrepHoops.com ranks purely upon potential and where the player will be at their basketball peak. Production factors in only when helping prove the potential is greater or lesser. Why did we rank these guys? Why are they at this spot? Take a look at five Class of 2023 prospects and learn a little about their reputation.
Peruse the complete 2024 rankings.
#15 Josh Holloway Josh Holloway 5'10" | PG Oak Hill | 2023 VA (St. George’s/ Team Thad )
The junior season for Joshua Holloway was pretty quiet. The eyes of Evaluator/Writer Courtney Smith uploaded Holloway to a lofty position approximately two years ago because of his skill and court vision as a young guard. Frankly, the junior season was largely quiet as he competes for a less “visible” high school program. The Team Thad experience will be much, much more in the public eye and playing on EYBL has a way of either exposing or elevating players. Holloway will get rotation minutes on the stuffed team. Elite basketball comprehension. Rider University offered Holloway as April opened.
#16 Donivon Thomas Donivon Thomas 6'5" | PF Brainerd (football) | 2023 State TN (Brainerd)
Elite athlete. Donivon is going to play college football, which is sad to this basketball junkie. His hops are outrageous. These are notes from earlier this spring. Not developed as a ball-handler.
Picking a key player from Brainerd is challenging as they have several wonderful starters, Dennis Lewis Jr. and Joshua Hood Joshua Hood 6'4" | SG Brainerd | 2023 State TN . The pick here is Donivon Thomas Donivon Thomas 6'5" | PF Brainerd (football) | 2023 State TN though. Donivon is a freak of a leaper. Think Keon Johnson with bulkier upper body. He truly gets off the floor unlike any player in the Chattanooga-area. Donivon blocked a dude with both hands swatting down way back in December. He hurts feelings.
#17 Janerus Snipe Janerus Snipe 6'7" | PF Haywood (basketball) | 2023 State TN (Haywood/ Hawks Elite)
Janerus is a strong, brute of a man with mental toughness to match. Running with Hawks Elite AAU alongside Tylon Chatman Tylon Chatman 6'0" | PG Haywood | 2023 State TN this summer. Snipe is a little raw, but absolutely capable of shocking recruiters with his mix of strength and agility.
#18 Stephen Olowoniyi Stephen Olowoniyi 6'7" | PF Webb Bell Buckle | 2023 State TN (Webb-Bell Buckle/ EAB)
Stephen Olowoniyi Stephen Olowoniyi 6'7" | PF Webb Bell Buckle | 2023 State TN is a project in the best meaning of the word. With enviable length and height, Stephen will always be giving the benefit of long, extended college evaluations. His athleticism is good, not great for a D1 prospect and his hands looked suspect way back in November/December. In order to be the wing or forward threat that he teases at, Olowoniyi needs to really develop the meaningful skills of post footwork, handles, etc.
#19 Javar Daniel Javar Daniel 6'8" | PF Bartlett | 2023 State TN (Bartlett/ Team Thad )
Like #18 Stephen, Daniel is is a high-upside talent. The ACL injury of 2021 summer inhibited his development. Unfortunately, Daniel played sparingly for a fantastically deep Bartlett team, so high school evaluations were scant. Needs much better, more refined post moves. Daniel remains Top 20 because his basketball size is simply too tantalizing, but there is not a single Top 20 player with more to prove in the next year.
#20 Tai Cates Tai Cates 5'11" | PG South-Doyle | 2023 State TN (South-Doyle)
Tai’s transfer from Alcoa to South-Doyle altered his role dramatically. Alcoa with Jahvin Carter Jahvin Carter 6'2" | PG Alcoa | 2024 State #214 Nation TN and Tai Cates Tai Cates 5'11" | PG South-Doyle | 2023 State TN was a dream watch for outsiders. Alas, Cates is now building continuing his legacy elsewhere. What does Cates do well? Elite big-game player. Cates is wonderful finishing when the moments are biggest and the pressure is generally considered highest. Cates’ quickness was never elite, but it is consistently improving as he physically matures. Cates looks very much the part of a dual-threat point guard in that he can score or facilitate. Teammates must love to play with a guard that can take over two different ways.