’23 Rankings Update: Criteria and Top 5 Breakdown
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This week will focus on the updated rankings for the class of 2023. Similar to the ’22 rankings, I tried to watch as many players as I could in person this spring, and the games I did miss,I ran back…
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Continue ReadingThis week will focus on the updated rankings for the class of 2023. Similar to the ’22 rankings, I tried to watch as many players as I could in person this spring, and the games I did miss,I ran back on the tournament’s live stream broadcast. The purpose of doing this was to learn more about the individual players and how they play this spring compared to their class peers. Essentially, these rankings are one massive evaluation of the prospects’ spring from my vantage point. I put a premium on an individual’s impact on a game. All these players are super talented and skilled, so to separate the players, I have to dig a little deeper to determine what skills translate to winning and what players are using these skill sets to elevate their team and put them in a position to win.
That said, the class of ’23 is stacked with elite prospects, and I wanted to break down the top 5 specifically because from what these players have shown me this spring, I can make a case for each one of them being the top player. Let’s take a look below:
#5
Abigail Wright Abigail Wright 6'2" | SF Newton North | 2023 State New E – MCW Starz/Newton North – 6’1’’ – SG
Wright is the most versatile player in the ’23 class. I have seen her throughout a game defend guards, wings, and posts at a high level, not once backing down from a matchup. One of my favorite games that I watched of Wright was MCW vs. New Heights, where Wright had to guard one of the nation’s top recruits, 6’6’’ forward Aalyah Del Rosario. Wright was not only putting forth a tremendous effort on defense but also had the responsibility of being a primary scoring option on the other end. That game was just an example of what Wright had to do all spring long. No one on this list has the physical gifts and skill set to impact the game at a high level in the manner that she can. In my opinion, Wright is the most valuable player on her MCW team because of her ability to play inside/out, defend any position and use her skill set to make up for the team’s weaknesses. Additionally, she is one of the toughest players physically and mentally that I have seen thus far.
Abigail 😱😱 pic.twitter.com/cAhFw5f0BB
— ihoopcrazy.com (@ihoopcrazy) May 28, 2021
#4
Lizzy Gruber Lizzy Gruber 6'4" | PF Gardiner | 2023 State New E – Maine Attraction/Gardiner – 6’4’’ – PF
What Gruber did during the New England Showcase was one of the most dominant weekends by an individual all spring. Maine Attraction was down two critical pieces to their rotation, and Gruber took everyone to the cleaners. No one had an answer for her in the post. Right and left hooks galore while displaying the sweetest touch around the basket. Gruber has the best footwork of any big I have watched, and when she got the ball on the block, she put on a clinic. Gruber has been consistent scoring on the interior all season, but she was deadly from three during the New England Showcase, which took her game to another level. There was no way of slowing her down in any aspect of the game. On the glass, she always got inside position and racked up second-chance points. On defense, Gruber protected the rim well, showed high defensive IQ, and was quick to react. If Gruber can continue to be that impactful throughout July, then she can be higher on this list. A 6’4’’ big, fundamentally sound, runs the floor well, dominant on the block, efficient outside shooter, and defends at a high level is every coach’s dream.
#3
Oluchi Okananwa Oluchi Okananwa 5'10" | CG Worcester Academy | 2023 State New E – Lady Rivals/Worcester Academy – 5’10’’ – SG
Okananwa put a stamp on the “best rebounding guard in the ’23 class” title this spring. What you cannot do against the Rivals is give them second and third chances to score, and with Okananwa on the court, she makes it impossible for opposing teams to be one and done. She is relentless on the boards, and her vertical leap is mindblowing; Okananwa made a living racking up putbacks all spring long. Okananwa also displayed how efficient an outside shooter she can be. Spookynook and the Philly Showcase were two tournaments where her perimeter shooting was the difference in the outcome of games. When Okananwa is consistently lighting it up for the outside, it opens up the floor for her to slash and penetrate which is what she does best. Down the stretch of games, Okananwa displayed the ability to hit timely and clutch shots to elevate the Rivals to victory and hitting these shots at all three levels.
#2
Sophia Vital Sophia Vital 5'3" | PG Tabor Academy | 2023 State New E – Bay State Jaguars/Tabor – 5’3’’ – PG
Vital is easily one of the most electric and exciting players to watch in New England, no matter the class. She is so fast with the ball that when in transition with a full head of steam, you are at her mercy. What is most impressive about Vital is that when most players are intimidated by pressure, she embraces and encourages it. I watched multiple teams try and pick up Vital full court and get left in the dust as she weaves in and out of defenders making jaw-dropping play after jaw-dropping play. Vital manages the game and can control the tempo as well as anyone. When she isn’t burning defenses on press breaks and in transition, I like how Vital can facilitate the offense in the halfcourt. She has a high IQ and does not need to dominate the ball to be effective. Vitak keeps the offense flowing with her constant movement off-ball when deferring to Shay Bollin Shay Bollin 6'3" | SF Bridgewater-Raynham | 2022 State #26 Nation New E or Megan Olbrys Megan Olbrys 6'1" | PF Norwood | 2022 State New E to make plays. Lastly, in every game, Vital brings the same intensity and compete, which shows on defense. Her energy trickles down to the rest of her teammates and spearheads a winning team atmosphere.
Highlights from Philly last weekend🔥🙌🏽@LaurieBollin @BayStateJags @JagsRecruiting @BashHoopsNE @NYGHoops pic.twitter.com/1IQv1skVq0
— Sophia Vital (@SophiaVital1) May 19, 2021
#1
Aoibhe Gormley Aoibhe Gormley 5'8" | CG Thayer Academy | 2023 New E – MA Huskies/Thayer – 5’9’’ – CG
From a physical standpoint, there is no guard built like Gormley. She is a big guard at 5’9’’, insane wingspan, massive hand size, and one of the most well-conditioned athletes. A few things catch my attention when I watch Gormley. First, she is, without a doubt, the best playmaker in the class. Some of the plays she makes and the degree of difficulty of them are eye-popping. Second, no one keeps the defense off-balanced more than Gormley. She makes getting into the paint look easy and initiates contact constantly.
Most importantly, what makes Gormley the best player, by my estimation, is that she is the only person in her class who, when inserted in the lineup, can maximize the talent around her and turn the team into an absolute force. In the last couple of weeks, Ana Von Rumohr Ana Von Rumohr 5'11" | SF Rivers | 2023 State New E , Ellen Angwin Ellen Angwin 5'11" | PF Chelmsford | 2022 State New E , Taylor Lambo Taylor Lambo 5'11" | PF Watertown | 2022 State New E , Nina Minicozzi Nina Minicozzi 5'9" | CG Rivers | 2023 State New E , and Katie Kissell Katie Kissell 5'6" | PG Westwood | 2022 State New E have played their best basketball of the spring. As a whole, the Huskies have been one of the best teams during that period. What changed in those two weeks that caused all this to occur? Gormley joined the team for her first taste of spring action. Her presence completely changed the dynamics of the group, and everyone on the roster benefited from it. Her teammates’ stock rose exponentially, but above all, the Huskies have been winning. Gormley is dominating individually, but her impact affects her teammates, making the Huskies one of the toughest teams to face. The frightening part is that Gormley is just getting her feet wet. I think after a few more weeks, she can shake off more rust and make it even more challenging to dethrone her from the top spot.
Some clips from last weekend. pic.twitter.com/jVuwhO0zWv
— Aoibhe Gormley (@GormleyAoibhe) April 15, 2021
Clips from the weekend pic.twitter.com/4w5n0XhDa3
— Aoibhe Gormley (@GormleyAoibhe) May 31, 2021
I tried telling everyone it’s SCARY HOURS when you go up against @GormleyAoibhe and @ninaminicozzi of the @MAHuskies 😤😤😤This backcourt is straight SILLY 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/4KFa2Q6prR
— Bash Hudson (@BashHoopsNE) June 5, 2021
This pass by @GormleyAoibhe 🔥🔥🔥she is freaking ridiculous https://t.co/fIcmepaOiU
— Bash Hudson (@BashHoopsNE) June 12, 2021