'23 Rankings Update: Top 50 Newcomers

The class of 2023 was fun to watch and evaluate because so many prospects I was unfamiliar with going into March turned out to be some of the best players of the season. Below are new faces who started on my watchlist but solidified a spot in the rankings by their outstanding play.   [player_tooltip player_id="184009" first="Selina" last="Monestime"] - MCW Starz/Framingham - 5’10 - SG/SF <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-299198" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/05/IMG_0191-crop-1120x736-1624121167-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> ’23 Rank: #13 Monestime is the best contested shooter I have seen this spring. Some of the shots she hits are incredible because a defender is usually draped all over her. Monestime takes full advantage of the mid-range area and is automatic inside the three-point line, even displaying the ability to rise up and hit jumpers on 6 ft+ wings and bigs. Her confidence in her offensive repertoire is highly impressive, and when you witness her shot-creation and shot-making on excellent defense, it’s hard to find another player you trust more to get a bucket at the end of a game. Not to mention her intensity on defense forced turnovers making her a valuable two-way player. https://x.com/MonestimeSelina/status/1404174761706545164 [player_tooltip player_id="184023" first="Bianca" last="Ortiz"] - Springfield Ballers/Holyoke - 5’7’’ - CG <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-299200" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/05/26743104_Unknown-crop-1091x717-1624121195-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> ’23 Rank: #16 Ortiz put on a laser show at the Philly Showcase. She is a walking bucket who effortlessly pulls up from 30 feet. It was awe-inspiring watching the lefty gunslinger shoot the lights out that whole weekend. What’s crazy is that these bombs Ortiz is drilling are shots she practices routinely. She has the ultimate green light, and her aggressiveness and consistency in hitting these shots not only affect her game but impact the other 4 players on the court with her. When Ortiz is cooking from behind the arc, the defense reacts and pressures her tightly. This results in blow-bys, and Ortiz can kill you in the mid-range game or get to the basket. Her shooting efficiency opens up the floor for forward [player_tooltip player_id="184018" first="Julie" last="Bahati"], who likes to do damage on the block and high post, and for slashing guards Armany Lopez and [player_tooltip player_id="295834" first="Jordis" last="Tautalatasi"]. Ortiz’s impact on the Springfield Ballers offense is huge, and just her presence on the floor elevates the team.   [player_tooltip player_id="184117" first="Sloane" last="Ginevan"] - Maine Attraction/Falmouth - 5’10’’ - CG <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-299201" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/04/RlXMfUrtTKqV5S1jqNm0Q-scaled-crop-1204x791-1624121220-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> ’23 Rank: #25 Ginevan instantly popped when I saw her in Rhode Island a couple of months ago and was easily one of the best players in that tournament. I like Ginevan’s makeup; she is tough, aggressive, and plays so hard when on the floor. She is a big guard who, you can argue, is the best on-ball defender in the class. Her east-to-west movement is elite, and at 5’10’’ can smother point guards while also having the size to bother wings. A mismatch nightmare on offense, Ginevan uses her upper body strength to get around her defender and shows tremendous body control when attacking the rack. Also, she is valuable off the ball as a reliable catch and shoot 2 guard. Ginevan has a top 15 skill set, so I am eager to watch her this summer because she has the potential to make a significant leap in the ranks.   [player_tooltip player_id="267178" first="Ashlee" last="Talbot"] - MCW Starz/Dracut - 5’6’’ - CG <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-299202" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/04/bOHSWhwtRTOpsA6TTOe0pQ-scaled-crop-1240x814-1624121249-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> ’23 Rank: #34 Talbot is not the biggest guard, so she makes it a point to outwork her opponent every possession. Talbot kicked off the spring on a high note, being one of the standout players in the Zero gravity Level Up tournament and built on that weekend the rest of the spring. Her ball handling and security are top tier; she does not struggle to create her own shot, and Talbot is an absolute pest on defense. She frustrates the opponent with her defensive activity and forces many turnovers and rushed plays. Towards the end of the spring, I liked how Talbot was playing off the ball more. She can impact the game in so many ways that she does not need to dominate the ball to be effective, but she is willing to play both guard positions, and in doing so, adds more value to her game. Talbot has one of the best work ethics I have seen, and she will sacrifice whatever she has to win a game. Those characteristics, in addition to her game, is what helped catapult Talbot into the top 35. https://x.com/AshleeTalbot/status/1394790332378796035 [player_tooltip player_id="267553" first="Niya" last="Morgen"] - MCW Starz/St. Mary’s - 5’6’’ - CG <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-299203" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/04/DEKVhvnlRqG2tw8nTmJeg-scaled-crop-1204x791-1624121281-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> ’23 Rank: #49 Morgen has been very consistent playing the 2 for MCW. I think she is a good fit for her team because Morgen has the tools and skill set to be a potent scorer but does not mind being the 4th option when on the floor with [player_tooltip player_id="266787" first="Yirsy" last="Queliz"], [player_tooltip player_id="184007" first="Abigail" last="Wright"], and [player_tooltip player_id="184009" first="Selina" last="Monestime"]. Morgen has been an efficient scorer and has good shot selection bringing another layer of firepower to the MCW ’23 lineup. In addition, she is an unselfish player who does the little things well. She sets good screens, sprints back on defense, and moves the ball well to keep the team’s offense flowing. Last weekend in Albany at the GymRats Showcase, Morgen showcased her complete skill set and was a scoring machine. If she continues to play at that level, her stock will continue to increase.