2023 rankings update: Meet the newcomers

The first time we saw [player_tooltip player_id="302254" first="Vanessa" last="Saidu"] play the thing that struck us immediately was just how athletic she is. Well that and her height and her level of engagement and... let’s just say we were excited about the possibilities. Now, several months later, it’s pretty obvious that the 6’2 forward from Park Center is a solid Division 1 candidate. That’s why Saidu finds herself as the highest-ranking newcomer in the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2023 rankings at #25. Vanessa has all of the things we look for in a young prospect – height, athleticism, skill and competitiveness. All she really lacks is experience and strength, two things that will likely come in due course. These are mostly attributes you can’t teach (including a 6’6 wingspan!) and that’s what makes Saidu such an intriguing prospect with a very high ceiling. Every time we watched Park Center play last winter the game seemed to revolve around what Vanessa was doing, and it has been fun watching that pattern repeat itself with 43 Hoops McCoy. Saidu is scoring at a high rate, using her length and tremendous leaping ability to outrebound her opponents, and she’s putting the effort in to improve. The McCoy team plays with energy and passion and is really fun to watch, but it’s difficult to take your eyes off Vanessa, whose individual exploits are often riveting. As her skill development progresses it’s all going to get even better. Now that Saidu is in the top 25, you can be sure that many more college coaches will be paying attention in July and beyond. We suspect they’ll like what they see. Here’s a look at the rest of the newcomers in the Class of 2023 prospect rankings. <strong>FRESH FACES IN THE TOP 100</strong> <strong>#54</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302256" first="Avery" last="Koenen"] – The 6’0 forward from Montevideo (West Central Wildcats) is long, lanky and athletic. She is a quality ball handler who can score off the dribble and create her own shot. Avery has a nice mid-range pull-up with good elevation and smooth mechanics. She uses her body well inside to shield herself from the defender and finishes at the rim through contact with either hand. Koenen recorded her 1,000th career point this winter and there’s probably another 1,000 to come. <strong>#55</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302255" first="Maci" last="Farmer"] – The 5’7 guard from Jackson County Central (Bartlett Airborne) has been gradually building a solid reputation for herself. Despite playing in a relatively low-profile high school program, and doing AAU out of Sioux Falls, word is getting out about Maci. She has nice handles and quick feet and no shortage of athleticism. She’s also a pure shooter who can consistently bury shots from long distance at a high rate. This year she got bigger and stronger, too, and put up points in high volume. <strong>#75</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302257" first="Taylor" last="Johnson"] – We told you last week about the 6’3 forward from Cannon Falls (Southern Minnesota Fury 2022) and based on that evaluation it’s not at all surprising that Taylor finds herself in the Top 75. With tremendous length and size, Johnson already has a big advantage over most of the class. Taylor’s commitment to improving her skills is paying dividends and bodes well for what may be to come. When her offense catches up to her defense, Taylor will likely climb the rankings ladder quickly. <strong>#89</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302259" first="Brianna" last="Simpson"] – The athletic 5’7 guard burst into our consciousness this winter when she played a major role in the success of the Marshall Tigers, a veteran-laden squad that nearly won a Class 3A state championship. Bri was the only underclassmen in the starting lineup and that alone made observers take note. Simpson was a little bit raw in terms of her overall skill development and basketball experience last winter, but that will change quickly. She plays AAU for South Dakota Network. <strong>#100</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302260" first="Tori" last="Miller"] – Goodhue plays a very team-oriented game complete with matching white headbands that make it difficult to tell one player from another. This summer with the Minnesota Rise, however, Tori has definitely set herself apart. The 5’10 forward is big and athletic and runs the floor well. She is a slasher who plays with a ton of energy, rebounds relentlessly, defends hard, and scores at an impressive clip. Miller’s ball-handling and shooting is quickly improving, and her intangibles are really good. <strong>THE REST OF THE FRESH FACES</strong> These players were also added to the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2023 prospect rankings this time around, occupying positions in the 101-150 range. <strong>#119</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302261" first="Taleigha" last="Powell"] – guard, Richfield (MN Diamond Elite) <strong>#124</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302262" first="Liz" last="Mackendanz"] – forward, Becker (Comets Elite) <strong>#133</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302263" first="Pearla" last="Teko-Folly"] – forward, Rosemount (43 Hoops McCoy) <strong>#134</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302264" first="Hannah" last="Compton"] – guard, Legacy Christian (Suns Blue Star) <strong>#135</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302265" first="Shyla" last="Moore"] – guard, Shakopee (MN Diamond Elite) <strong>#136</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302267" first="Madi" last="Wodele"] – forward, Eastview (MN Impact) <strong>#137</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302268" first="Jordan" last="McMahon"] – forward, St. Louis Park (Stars DeSart) <strong>#138</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302269" first="Jada" last="Bierschbach"] – guard, Rocori (Central MN Swish) <strong>#139</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302273" first="Abby" last="O’Reilly"] – forward, PEM (North Tartan SE) <strong>#140</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302274" first="Zaya" last="Esterberg"] – guard, STMA (Comets Elite) <strong>#141</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302275" first="Kate" last="Adams"] – guard, Wayzata (Stars DeSart) <strong>#142</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302276" first="Mackenzie" last="Berg"] – guard, STMA (Comets Elite) <strong>#143</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302277" first="Kendyl" last="Queensland"] – guard, Grand Meadow (Southern MN Fury) <strong>#144</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302281" first="Kendra" last="Syverson"] – guard, Mahnomen-Waubun <strong>#145</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302282" first="Aliya" last="Goodnature"] – guard, Wayzata (Metro Stars 3SSB) <strong>#146</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302283" first="Olivia" last="Walsh"] – guard, Austin (Southern Minnesota Fury) <strong>#147</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302284" first="Malayna" last="Dille-Starks"] – guard, Champlin Park (Suns Blue Star) <strong>#148</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302285" first="Mandy" last="Christy"] – forward, Elk River (Fury 2023 Premier) <strong>#149</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302286" first="Audrey" last="Jakway"] – forward, Mounds Park Academy (Stars DeSart) <strong>#150</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302287" first="Emily" last="Glass"] – guard, Rogers (Fury 2023 Premier)