Class of 2023: Players To Watch

New Mexico High School Basketball is here and so is the class of 2023. There is a number of talented prospects you need to keep an eye on for this upcoming season. <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><img class="size-medium wp-image-358358 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/11/aspen-crop-975x641-1638284079-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />[player_tooltip player_id="353908" first="Aspen" last="Salazar"]</span>- 5’9 Small Forward "Centennial" Class of 2023</p> <p style="text-align: left;">[player_tooltip player_id="353908" first="Aspen" last="Salazar"] from Centennial High School is coming off a great season her junior year and there is much too like with her game. She averaged a solid 18.1 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game and 4.1 steals per game. Her play helped lead Centennial High School to the 5A State playoffs and secure the #3 seed in the state tournament. Centennial went an undefeated 122-0 in the regular season play before losing in the 1st round vs #6 Eldorado. Aspen is one of the best scorers in New Mexico but also has a nice all around game that will help Centennial compete in the 5A Class this season.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><img class="size-medium wp-image-358365 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/11/kamalini-crop-615x404-1638284579-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />[player_tooltip player_id="353913" first="Kamalani" last="Anitielu"]</span>- 5’7 Guard "Farmington" Class of 2023</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Farmington’s Guard [player_tooltip player_id="353913" first="Kamalani" last="Anitielu"] is coming off a solid sophomore year campaign where she was one of the most intriguing pieces to Farmington’s young core. As a sophomore she averaged 12.4 points per game and got better as the season went on. Later in the season she had her two best scoring outputs of 21 points vs Sandia High School and a season high of 31 points in their final game vs Piedra Vista. She has a great basketball IQ and knows when to get her shots at the right times and you can expect her to have a bigger role with more opportunities this season.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><img class="size-medium wp-image-358379 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/11/lelani-crop-708x465-1638285216-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />[player_tooltip player_id="353909" first="Lelani" last="Love"]</span>- 6’1 Center "Albuquerque" Class of 2023</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Albuquerque High School [player_tooltip player_id="353909" first="Lelani" last="Love"] is arguably the best Big not just in the Class of 2023, but perhaps the best big in New Mexico. She is a walking double double machine every time time she steps on the court. She made a statement in the season opener last season with 30 points and 17 rebounds vs Capital. Through the shortened regular season she averaged 17.6 points per game and 11.1 rebounds per game. Her contributions helped Albuquerque High School finish the regular season at an impressive 8-2 regular season record. Expect Albuquerque High to be back in the mix this season led by [player_tooltip player_id="353909" first="Lelani" last="Love"].</p> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">[player_tooltip player_id="353907" first="Sofia" last="De Groot"]</span>- 5’8 Point Guard "Clovis Christian" Class of 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="353907" first="Sofia" last="De Groot"] is arguably the best player in the Class of 2023 and she is coming off a very good season this last spring. Through 11 games last season, [player_tooltip player_id="353907" first="Sofia" last="De Groot"] averaged 18.6 point per game which ranked 1st among her class. She is also a solid defender where she averaged 3.2 steals per game which was ranked high in New Mexico. Last season she compiled a total of six 20 point games and one 30 point game vs San Jon High School last spring. She is a high level scorer that can drive, shoot and get to the free throw line. Expect her to take her game to another level this year after a busy off-season. <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">[player_tooltip player_id="353910" first="Tanna" last="Crisp"]</span>- 5’6 Forward "Roy/Mosquero" Class of 2023</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Forward [player_tooltip player_id="353910" first="Tanna" last="Crisp"] made a statement last season with her play that helped lead er school to win the 1A State Championship vs Melrose High School last season. Last season she averaged 15.1 points per game and 7.1 rebounds per game. Her solid play helped her school go at an undefeated 12-0 in the regular season and secure the #1 seed in the 1A Class. In the championship game vs Melrose, she had 12 points and 10 rebounds to help her school win 44-38. [player_tooltip player_id="353910" first="Tanna" last="Crisp"] makes her school as the early favorites to repeat as champions in the 1A Class this season.</p>