6 x 6: These 6-footers are names to know in the class of 2023

It is, without a doubt, the magic number in women’s basketball. It is the number 6. As in 6 feet. As in 6-footer. As in tall. Since you can’t choose your parents, there’s not a darn thing a player can do to achieve it, but for those athletes lucky enough to grow to the 72-inch mark or more while they are still underclassmen in high school it puts them in rarified recruiting air. Unlike boys basketball, where players are often listed well above their actual height, the girls are pretty honest for the most part when asked for their number. Sometimes they even minimize it! But since we can’t go out and put a tape measure to the 500+ players in the Prep Girls Hoops rankings there is some good faith involved here. With that as a statistical asterisk there are a dozen or so players in the class of 2023 who have reached or exceeded the 6-foot mark. Today we feature half of them, including four in the top 30. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="108300" first="Clara" last="Glad"] – 6’0 forward, Rogers (#5)</strong> Clara was one of the first players in the class of 2023 to come to our attention way back when. She just does so many things well. She’s smooth and subtle, with outstanding skills, great length and terrific instincts. In the paint Glad has a vast collection of moves, great footwork, and the ability to cash in on almost any opening with either hand. I would describe Glad as opportunistic. She anticipates really well, both on the offensive end of the floor, but also on the defensive perimeter where her long arms and quick reflexes are a weapon. The North Tartan Milan small forward is a very good three-point shooter, as well. Glad is almost always solid, but when she plays aggressive and goes into attack mode (which is happening more often as time progresses) she is truly outstanding. That’s why Clara carries the #5 ranking in the class. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12208568/5e80ecded225110c70b83f9d">Watch the video</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="108309" first="Ella" last="Johnson"] – 6’2 forward, Elk River (#13)</strong> One of the issues we always have in ranking young players is getting people to understand the difference between current performance and future potential. Our rankings are based on where a player will be when she is heading off to college which is in the distant future for the 2023s. Ella is a classic example. Her impact in high school varsity basketball to this point has been negligible. She made 8 appearances, most of them brief, and scored 12 points. Two years from now she’ll probably never be off the court, and her impact in college basketball is likely to be huge. Mostly that has to do with physical maturity. The #13 freshman has been growing like crazy but it takes time for the body to adapt. The North Tartan Wolkow forward is now 6’2 with an even bigger wingspan, which has enabled her to become a top shot blocker. She has a nice set of moves in the paint and tends to keep things pretty simple. Now she is using her long strides to drive past players one-on-one and has good touch at the rim. As you’ll see in the very brief video she’s also got great court vision and is a very good passer. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13885549/5e949d628cd3d70e84848299">Watch the video</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="108315" first="Sophi" last="Hall"] – 6’0 guard/small forward, Holy Family (#19)</strong> Sophi is an intriguing prospect to say the least. She’s already 6’0 with a huge wingspan and a tremendous feel for the game. She’s smooth and skillful and has plenty of speed, too. As you’ll clearly see on the video, Hall has tremendous vision, passes the ball really well, and can shoot the heck out of it. We ranked Hall 19th at the last update for the class. Following an excellent high school season, during which she showed us so many more possibilities, that is clearly too low. Hall received her first Division 1 offer a couple of weeks ago and is having conversations with multiple programs. That’s not surprising. Sophi needs to fill out and get stronger but that will come in due course. She is one of the youngest players in the class so she’s got a ways to go in terms of physical development. When AAU starts Hall will be in the lineup of Minnesota Fury 2023 UAA, one of three newcomers on a squad that features four players in the 2023 top 10 and nine in the top 20. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/2/337984/5e7d2c881600c40d143b309b">Watch the video</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="108322" first="Brylee" last="Iverson"] – 6’0 forward, Triton (#26)</strong> Iverson has been a standout varsity performer for two seasons already and she’s just getting started. The lengthy forward averaged over 16 points per game this year for Triton, a 2A squad from Dodge Center in Southern Minnesota. She is long, smooth and athletic, with great footwork and a polished offensive game. The lefty is a good three-point shooter, but can score in multiple different ways. Defensively her length is a major asset on the boards and guarding opponents man-to-man. Brylee has a solid frame. She just looks like a college basketball player. Brylee’s game has been improving steadily on a month-to-month basis for a long time and she puts in the work. Iverson will return to Minnesota Stars 2023 Hersch this summer where she’ll attempt to improve on her #26 ranking. Brylee also carries a 4.0 GPA. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10736645/5e7e7f28f31cf4055c604c2a">Watch the video</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="108346" first="Kloe" last="Wadd"] – 6’2 center, Waseca (#52)</strong> It was very obvious, very early that Kloe was going to be big. She grew early, and has a size-large frame. Because of those physical attributes the expectations have been big, too, and it has taken some time for Kloe’s performance to catch up to her potential. It’s happening now. This season Wadd assumed a much larger role on a strong Waseca squad. She has leaned up, become more mobile and improved her footwork. Kloe is strong, and she can overpower opponents when she has the basketball in the paint. She also uses that strength to grab a ton of defensive boards. She has a nice little baby jumper and can also knock down the three. Although she’s not quite as tall, Kloe reminds me in many ways of where Farmington’s [player_tooltip player_id="13045" first="Sophie" last="Hart"] was as a freshman, and we all know how that is working out! Coach Joan Conway at Waseca is a great teacher of the game and her squad is well-schooled defensively, which is going to prepare Kloe well to play at the next level. When AAU commences, Wadd will suit up for Minnesota Nice. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13786137/5e7a580f478cd501e07f3d0e">Watch the video</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="148338" first="Grace" last="Counts"] – 6’0 forward, Providence Academy (#71)</strong> Grace had a good year in high school basketball. A really good year. Her play and overall improvement was crucial for Providence Academy as the Lions roared their way into the state tournament. Grace combined with her older sister [player_tooltip player_id="57963" first="Maria" last="Counts"] to form a potent front court tandem, and if you watch Grace’s highlight video it is not difficult to see why. Her feet are fairly light in relation to her size. She’s mobile down low, with the ability to take a quick first step to freeze her defender and execute a smooth one-two move, elevate and use her long arms to get the ball up and over the opponent. It’s good stuff, and her touch around the rim is impressive as is her ability to make a quality pass in tight quarters. Counts has a nice mid-range game but can step outside and knock down threes, as well. She is a disruptive defender and shot blocker who plays consistently hard. Grace is also a great rebounder. She averaged 7.5 boards per game along with 10 points, 1.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.2 blocks. She’ll play summer ball for Metro Stars 2023 Ruffin. <a href="https://youtu.be/K9ZIdIvoc8g">Watch the video</a>