‘23 Winter Rankings Update: Stock Risers

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Now let’s look at some of the stock risers from the ’23 class.</span> &nbsp; <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-360760" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/7CBBAC08-0E2A-4C77-AB4F-5ACD261BE576-crop-1117x733-1638739661-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="359745" first="Maggie" last="Crofford"] - St John Paul II - 5’10’’ - PF</strong> <strong>’23 Rank: #150</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Crofford is only 5’10,’’ but she plays like she is over 6ft. She is a good athlete who runs the floor well and finishes hard around the basket. I am also impressed with Crofford’s face-up game. Her mid-range game is solid, and she can also step out and hit three-pointers. Crofford will be difficult to match up against this winter.  </span> &nbsp; <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-360762" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/8FD53036-EC1C-4F9C-9CDC-BC9008C4FCA3-crop-1537x1010-1638739775-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="266706" first="Alix" last="Abelard"] - Fontbonne Academy - 5’8’’ - CG</strong> <strong>’23 Rank: #104</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Abelard impacts the game in various ways; but most notably, she is a strong and intelligent defender. She always knows where to be and is a difference-maker when her team presses. Abelard can cover a lot of ground with her blazing speed and gets many deflections, and back tap steals. She has a versatile skill set on offense and can play both guard spots effectively. </span> &nbsp; <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-360765" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/9869C3CB-C4DB-40A0-A812-DA4C42AB5A4F-crop-1421x933-1638739891-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="359867" first="Genevive" last="Wedemeyer"] - Putnam Science - 5’8’’ - CG</strong> <strong>’23 Rank: #33</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">From what I have seen from Wedemeyer this fall, it is hard to find many prospects who are better at defending the perimeter than her. I like Wedemeyer’s intensity when she is on the ball. She can pick up full court and has the lateral quickness to cut off angles and keep her assignment in front of her. Wedemeyer is also great at forcing turnovers off of drives and post digs. Her athleticism is off the charts. Wedemeyer’s quickness, speed, and agility when handling the ball are unique. I’m excited to watch more of Wedemeyer this winter because she looks like a prospect with a top 15-20 ceiling; and I believe by the end of the season, we will see her make that leap. </span> &nbsp; <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-360769" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/A48B1517-47A7-4C9D-BC1B-BE1166E0F475-crop-1440x946-1638740229-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="353547" first="Sara" last="Thompson"] - Cathedral - 5’5’’ - PG</strong> <strong>’23 Rank: #133</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">A few weeks ago was my first time watching Thompson in person, and she impressed me at Cathedral’s practice.  I think she will have a big season this winter because she has an offensive skill set that is difficult to defend. Thompson is a good shooter off the dribble and can knock threes down frequently, even if contested. Thompson also gives total effort on both sides of the ball. She is a tone-setter who can swing the momentum of games with her offensive and defensive activity. </span> &nbsp; <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-360775" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/100C2DBD-26E6-4384-8CF2-79CDC9E5BA81-scaled-crop-1707x1121-1638740357-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="184128" first="Riley" last="Hebler"] - Sanford - 5’3’’ - PG</strong> <strong>’23 Rank: #168</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Hebler will fly under everyone’s radar because she isn’t the biggest or most athletic guard. She is, however, very crafty and has a tight handle.  I like the pace Hebler plays at and how she is under control when shot-creating. Hebler changes speed and direction well on her drives and also has a reliable jump shot that she can hit spotting up or off the dribble. </span> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-360782" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/944E8935-D01B-4DD2-9559-26E02E3EABFF-crop-1434x942-1638740774-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="287252" first="Fatim" last="Sarr Ndow"] - Putnam Science - 6’1’’ - SF</strong> <strong>’23 Rank: #22</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Sarr Ndow is one of the most physically imposing players on this list. Defensively, she might be the most versatile because of her ability to guard the interior and perimeter. She is excellent on the weak side and is one of the best shot-blockers in her class. Sarr Ndow’s offensive game is not as sound as her defensive prowess, but she has a good handle for a player at her size and position. I think Sarr Ndow can turn into a dominant two-way prospect.</span>