Updated 2023 Player Rankings Roundtable
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September has arrived which means that summer has come to a close and school is back in session. It’s a good time to reflect on the few months that have passed and dish out updated player rankings. That’s exactly what…
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Continue ReadingSeptember has arrived which means that summer has come to a close and school is back in session. It’s a good time to reflect on the few months that have passed and dish out updated player rankings. That’s exactly what happened as our updated 2023 player rankings went live earlier today. With every new release comes a roundtable addressing some questions surrounding the update. Adam Ayalew and I take the reigns on this.
1. Who is a riser that you feel will live up to his ranking and why?
Giacubeno: Jaden Johnson received a bump to No. 18 from us thanks to a strong finish to his summer in various elite camp events. The 6-foot-2 guard began the summer leaving a good impression with us thanks to his play in DMV Live. Johnson will be a staple for Bishop McNamara this season. They’ll feature a lineup largely made up of guards, which will call for Johnson to defend wings and even sometimes some fours, but his strong physical frame should be able to handle the task for spurts. He’s a downhill guard who can get to rim, embrace contact and finish through fouls. He’s shown improvement in his capability as a shooter off the bounce from the perimeter and has good feel for how make split-second reads and find open teammates when he attacks close outs.
Ayalew: I think Chase Lawton saw a well-deserved jump in the rankings. He’s always been a steady shot maker and complimentary player, but this summer showed that he could be a primary initiator at times with his grassroots club. Lawton should once again be a key player for McNamara this upcoming season.
2. Who are prospects found late in the rankings who have potential to be productive players at the next level?
Giacubeno: Dulaney’s Eric Zhang is a guy that I’ve become a fan of over the summer. His play throughout EBA Summer League was a clear indication that he is prepared to be a primary scoring option for head coach Matt Lochte and the Lions this season. Currently ranked at No. 80, Zhang has good positional size at 6-foot-3 and comes at you as a southpaw who gets to his spots in the mid-range for pull-up jumpers, finishes floaters with soft touch in the paint and can find his mark often off the catch from three.
Coming in at the bottom of our rankings is Zammari Dorsey, who transferred to Lake Clifton from Mervo. Admittedly so, we haven’t seen Dorsey live yet, but have been able to get some clips and film enough to include him in this list. It’s expected that he’ll receive a healthy bump in the next update and has a chance to play a vital role for Baltimore legend Herman Harried this season. Dorsey spent last season averaging 14 points per game for Mervo and will bring the usual tough-nosed approach that Baltimore City guards have to offer.
Ayalew: Ajani Lomax of St. Mary’s enjoyed a productive summer with PSB DMV and is firmly on the radar as a potentially productive college prospect. He can put the ball in the hole, run an offense, and competes defensively.
Maret’s Amanuel Tucker has been a double-double threat lately for the Frogs. His fitness has improved considerably and this could be one of the reasons for his improved consistency.
3. Who is a new face to the rankings that you’re looking forward to tracking this season?
Giacubeno: Kyron Henderson enters the rankings with a strong No. 5 ranking and based off what I saw from Will Barton Elite Camp, it is well deserved. The 6-foot-7 forward from Texas is built like a linebacker with explosive athleticism for above the rim throw downs, can be a pick-and-pop threat as he showcased soft touch on his jumper from deep and has ability to lead the break himself. Henderson is a vicious rebounder and someone who can guard multiple positions based upon his size, strength and agile feet.
We’re placing stock in Malcolm Day from Takoma Academy after he showcased an intriguing skillset throughout the summer with the DMV Stags. Day makes his debut in the rankings at No. 22 and brings good positional size as a wing at 6-foot-6. He has a confident stroke from three, can put the ball on straight-line drives for dunks and find his looks within the flow of the offense. Day will be a major weapon for Takoma Academy this season and should see some significant attention as a result.
Ayalew: Kyron Henderson is a prospect I am not familiar with but am looking forward to seeing. By all accounts, he is a must-see among newcomers in the area.