2023 Rankings: Players We Like More Than Most
The class of 2023 rankings will be updated in June. We’re making the case for six prospects who come in higher than most expect… No. 6 Prentice Young Prentice Young 6'4" | CG Wisconsin Lutheran | 2023 State #273 Nation…
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Continue ReadingThe class of 2023 rankings will be updated in June. We’re making the case for six prospects who come in higher than most expect…
No. 6 Prentice Young Prentice Young 6'4" | CG Wisconsin Lutheran | 2023 State #273 Nation WI – G – Wisconsin Lutheran/Wisconsin Playground Club
This isn’t an overly deep 2023 class. Finding players with this two-way ability is going to be tough. If you need any insight into his character and heart, look no further than his comeback from a torn ACL. Saw Young late in the high school season. He wasn’t half the player he was as a sophomore. The 6-foot-4 guard looked heavy as he was likely forced to sit around and stay off his knee for several months. Fast forward to the spring, Young has his body back and has been forced to change his game from a point guard to a wing. Young has been able to play off the ball at shoot it as well as he ever has during his high school career. Also a standout defender, Young plays that end of the floor with a high IQ and a knack for creating turnovers.
Matthew Schmainda Matthew Schmainda 6'2" | CG Brookfield East | 2023 State WI – G – Brookfield East/ Wisconsin Swing
Good offer by Hillsdale, who’s cleaned up in the Brookfield era recently. Arguably the toughest prospect in the state, Schmainda is just going to battle and leave it all on the floor. He’s an excellent on-ball defender, he’ll win a lion’s share of 50-50 balls, and he’s just a tone-setter on the floor. While he’s a hard-nosed prospect, Schmainda can score it on the other end too. He’s a deadly 3-point shooter with surprisingly good handles and shot creating ability. Nice blend of speed and power on the ball from the 5-foot-11 combo guard.
No. 28 A.J. Lieuwen A.J. Lieuwen 6'0" | CG Bay Port | 2023 State WI – G – Bay Port/Team 1848
Have seen Lieuwen in a lot of high level AAU and high school games. He just shows up and shows out. You can tell he wants the smoke and embraces marquee individual challenges. A shotmaking guard with an excellent pull-up game, Lieuwen has the offensive firepower to carry a team. He’s one of the few players in Wisconsin’s 2023 class that can consistently knock down shots with a hand in his face. Lieuwen always has his foot on the gas pedal and puts a ton of pressure on defenses with his relentless scoring and playmaking mindset. Think Divison 2 programs should be taking a hard look here. If I’m a WIAC program and Lieuwen falls…I’d be thrilled.
No. 29 Ethan Heck Ethan Heck 6'5" | SG West Depere | 2023 State WI – SG – West De Pere/Wisconsin Crusaders
One of the best pure shooters in the state, Heck has the green light every time he touches the rock. Great positional size here at 6-foot-5. Combine that with Heck’s dangerous catch and shoot ability, particularly while running off screens, and Heck is one of the more unique prospects in the space. Given his outside shooting and constant movement off the ball, Heck also provides excellent floor spacing. He’s one of those guys that ties an offense together and gets defenders moving/disorganized.
No. 33 Daniel Robinson Daniel Robinson 6'2" | CG Waukesha South | 2023 State WI – G – Waukesha South/Wisconsin Playground Club
Robinson is kind of unconventional and maybe doesn’t have the prototypical skillset you look for in guard. He’s also somewhat of a tweener positionally. However, this kid just plays very hard and can do some special things. Robinson is a plus athlete that can attack the basket and finish acrobatically in the air. Think he shoots it better from both mid and 3-point range better than he gets credit for. He’s also a high motor defender that gets after it and takes pride in stopping the man in front of him.
No. 59 Tyson Keil Tyson Keil 6'6" | PF Appleton East | 2023 State WI – F – Appleton East/Wisconsin Crusaders
Like the glue guy potential of Keil at the next level. The Appleton East forward is a high motor prospect that makes momentum changing plays above the rim on both ends of the floor. There’s also some untapped potential as a combo forward matchup problem down the road. Keil runs the floor hard in transition, can shoot it a bit from the outside, and slash from the high post. If all else fails, think Keil can just be a junkyard dog at the next level.