Updated 2023 Rankings: New Faces (Part 2)
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With the updated 2023 rankings list in VA, we have added over 40 new names to the rankings, something that is very common as it usually the junior year that players take the biggest jump. Here’s a look at part…
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Continue ReadingWith the updated 2023 rankings list in VA, we have added over 40 new names to the rankings, something that is very common as it usually the junior year that players take the biggest jump. Here’s a look at part two of the new faces of players who have earned the right to be ranked in the state.
#79 Tim Uzochukwu Tim Uzochukwu 6'8" | C Matoaca | 2023 State VA | 6’8” C | Matoaca
Uzochukwu is very intriguing as he showed a lot of flashes for Matoaca this year as a rebounder and finisher and then it’s interesting when you find out he’s only been playing basketball competitively for a few years. He plays with a great motor and is very physical in the paint, he runs the floor hard and can catch and finish at and above the rim and he’s getting better day by day and could shoot up this list with continued development.
#82 DJ Kennard DJ Kennard 6'3" | SF Falls Church | 2023 State VA | 6’3” SF | Falls Church
Kennard is another intriguing new name in the Nova area who has good size on the wing and a lot of talent that he’s starting to tap into. He’s a lefty with a smooth stroke from deep and the ability to attack downhill and in transition, he’s a good defender who moves his feet well and jumps passing lanes and he plays with a good motor and makes the hustle plays for his team.
#87 Donovan Bass Donovan Bass 6'1" | PG Hayfield | 2023 State VA | 6’0” PG | West Potomac
Bass is the latest in a long line of talented guards from West Potomac and he’s the type of point guard that keeps opponents awake the night before their matchup. He’s dynamic in transition with his speed and ability to get downhill and finish with either hand, he’s a pesky defender on the ball and a good athlete off the ball to shoot passing lanes and contest in help side and he’s shifty off the bounce and able to create for himself and others easily.
#88 James McIntyre James McIntyre 6'0" | CG Washington-Liberty | 2023 State VA | 6’0” CG | Western-Liberty
McIntyre was a First Team All Region and Second Team All State selection at Western-Liberty as a junior and he showed he’s one of the top shooters you’ll find around. He has a quick release and deep range with good balance, he’s able to put it on the deck and come off of screens or step in and get his feet set and let it fly and he’s able to attack closeouts and finish in the midrange and around the rim too.
#90 Cole Crosby | 6’3” SF | St. Stephen’s St. Agnes
Crosby is a type of player you find at SSSAS over the past few years who has waited his turn and been overshadowed early but he is starting to come into his own and could turn some heads this summer and next season. The high academic wing is a skilled and well-rounded player who has good size, he can knock down shots from deep consistently and he rebounds and makes the hustle plays defensively too.
#91 Amir Crawford Amir Crawford 6'2" | CG Woodberry Forest | 2023 State VA | 6’2” CG | Woodberry Forest
Woodberry Forest always seems to have a guard like Crawford on their team, a fundamentally sound floor general who can impact the game as both a scorer and a facilitator. He controls the tempo of the game and plays with good pace, he can get to spots in the midrange to knock down the pull-up and finishes well around the rim over bigger players and he’s an unselfish team player who makes plays for others and is a good defender too.
#93 Zach Murphy Zach Murphy 6'2" | SG St. Christopher's | 2023 State VA | 6’2” SG | St. Christopher’s
Murphy was a big part of a surprise St. Chris team that played well throughout the season and he’s the perfect x-factor and glue guy on a team with talented playmakers. He can knock down shots consistently from deep and works well to get open, he can get hot quickly and doesn’t take bad shots and he’s a great team defender who doesn’t make many mistakes.
#94 Tristian Alvarez | 5’10” PG | Centreville
Alvarez is a dynamic lead guard that is a lot of fun to watch as he has some flash to his game and is a nightmare to guard in isolation situations. He’s super shifty with a great handle and a natural ability to change speeds and directions, he has a lightning quick first step and great end-to-end speed and he can get in the lane at will and is dynamite in transition as a playmaker and finisher.
#96 CJ Johnson CJ Johnson 6'1" | SG Episcopal | 2023 State VA | 6’1” SG | Episcopal
Johnson was a big part of Episcopal who surprised a lot of people this year as many thought they’d be in a rebuild mode but were competitive all season. He’s a great second option as he can score it from deep and moves well off the ball to get open on cuts, he’s very good in the triple threat to get downhill and make plays for himself and others and he has great fundamentals with footwork and the ability to finish with both hands through traffic.
#97 Brian Weiser Brian Weiser 6'3" | CG Washington Liberty | 2023 State VA | 6’3” CG | Washington Liberty
Weiser is a very intriguing small school prospect as he was name First Team All Region and District DPOY at Washington Liberty and can do a little bit of everything when he’s on the floor. He’s very active defensively getting deflections in the press and staying in help to block and contest shots, he can knock down shots from deep and in the midrange working on or off the basketball and he is a high IQ playmaker with good vision and feel.