‘23 Spring Eval Rankings Stock Risers: New England’s Chief Rival

My Spring Evaluation Rankings are up, and many prospects have elevated their game over the past few months. I made it a point to watch as many athletes as possible this spring to see their progression and development as prospects heading into the July Live period. Individual success is essential to my evaluations but also how the players’ abilities translate to their team winning is also considered. Below are a handful of ’23 players whose value shot through the roof this season.   #1 [caption id="attachment_442302" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/06/BA7D2597-F990-4D30-8A0B-158179B5592A-crop-1242x816-1654707950.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-442302" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/06/BA7D2597-F990-4D30-8A0B-158179B5592A-crop-1242x816-1654707950-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: Anna Kitch[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="267052" first="Oluchi" last="Okananwa"]| Lady Rivals| 5’10’’|CG Okananwa has been nothing short of sensational all spring. A couple of months ago at Spooky Nook, I noticed Okananwa’s defensive intensity, and she was a menace on the ball. She was getting out in transition, blowing by the defense effortlessly, and had her pull up jumper going. She then went to the Adidas 3SSB Circuit in South Carolina, led all players in scoring (20ppg), and was instrumental in the Rivals 4-0 weekend. As recently as this past weekend at the ZG Nationals, she again played a significant role for the Rivals, running through the competition and helping lead them to a championship victory. Okananwa is one of the best and most relentless rebounders regardless of position in the region, a nightmare to defend when going downhill. When she is hitting perimeter shots, Okananwa is virtually unstoppable.   #3 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-442306" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/06/5F253736-2EDB-4689-B21B-60061B4A793D-crop-1365x897-1654708164-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="184007" first="Abigail" last="Wright"]|MCW|6’2’’|SF I thought Wright was the best player representing New England at the Atlantic City Showcase, and apparently, the college coaches who watched her were also on the same accord. The following two weeks post-event, Wright picked up over 10 division 1 offers, and they are well deserved. She proved that she could impact the game highly without monopolizing the basketball. Whether rebounding, strong post defense, or stretching the floor with her shooting, Wright showed that her skill set translates against some of the best programs along the east coast. Wright’s combination of size, versatility, and toughness is hard to find, and she has become one of the most dominant forwards in the area.   #5 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-442307" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/5A9BE7BF-0A02-44FA-9F91-3E33350F62A8-scaled-crop-1706x1121-1654708284-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="343173" first="Margo" last="Mattes"]|Bay State Jags|5’10’’|SG Mattes came out the gates early this spring and showed how versatile and efficient a scorer she is. She has been getting her shot off with minimal dribbling and uses her size and shooting ability to be dynamic in the short-mid range area. In transition, Mattes has been most potent. She is an intelligent playmaker who sees the floor and gets the ball up the court fast or can be a one-woman fast break, go coast to coast, and finish strong at the rim.   #6 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-442311" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/04/DDFFB821-BBEA-4E6E-8C0C-D7C010004A0A-crop-1365x897-1654708377-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="267455" first="Mia" last="Mancini"]|Lady Rivals|5’7’’|PG Mancini’s play this spring has led to her being the top point guard in ’23. She has done an excellent job orchestrating the Rivals’ offense, and her handle/ball security has been top tier. The biggest separator between Mancini and every other point guard prospect is that she is the best shooter and scorer. She has been lights out from the perimeter and has done so without hunting for her shot. Mancini has a good feel for the game and has shown good shot selection all spring.   #15 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-442313" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/03/5CE14FD2-D3C3-4DAC-BC84-BD689F8E12B6-scaled-crop-1660x1090-1654708486-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="184018" first="Julie" last="Bahati"]|Springfield Ballers|6’2’’|PF Bahati’s big spring led to several division 1 offers, including Bryant, George Washington, Colgate, and Northeastern. She is one of the most physically imposing bigs in ’23 and is one of the best rim protectors. This spring, Bahati has been using her athleticism to be an impactful offensive player. She has an improved handle, can put the ball on the deck, evade defenders in pursuit of the basket, and be an effective face-up forward in the high/low post.   #21 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-442315" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/06/2AD3C768-2D84-49EF-ADB9-2E3A376BECA2-scaled-crop-1707x1121-1654708623-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="279087" first="Jami" last="Hill"]|Lady Rivals|5’11’’|SF Hill’s ascension to a borderline top 20 prospect happened with her most recent performance at the ZG Nationals. Easily the best basketball I have seen Hill play, she showed that she is one of the class’s most versatile and impactful wings. She was defending positions 1-5, physical on the glass (both offense and defense), and was a relatable outside shooter and finisher around the basket. Her ability to consistently display various ways to impact winning separated her from many players in her class. If she can keep up this play throughout the July Live period, Hill is a no brainer top 15 player in ’23.   #23 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-442317" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/7E13D6B7-EF51-49B3-9F2C-181DBC73CB9F-crop-1299x853-1654708662-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="184118" first="Sierra" last="Carson"]|Maine Attraction|5’7’’|PG Carson cracking the top 25 shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. This spring, she has been one of the most consistent prospects and has played at a high-level week after week. Atlantic City was the event where Carson turned everyone’s head, but she was torching her opponents from the start of the season. Defenders had a hard time staying in front of her, and Carson got the rack easily. Her jump shot was money, and most importantly, she was one of the biggest competitors on the court.   #24 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-442319" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/06/8859414A-B7A1-44CF-B022-3EAC35EBB287-crop-400x263-1654708793-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="295915" first="Bella" last="McLaughlin"]|Maine Firecrackers|5’7’’|PG You have to love the way McLaughlin plays the point guard position. She is one of the few who can impact the game at a high level without scoring. Last weekend at Hoop Group’s New England Jam Fest, McLaughlin showed off her speed and dynamic playmaking. She controlled the tempo and created countless open looks for her teammates. McLaughlin is a more significant threat because she is cognizant of when to assert herself on offense. She recognizes the moment, and when it is time to attack the defense and create for herself, she can do so efficiently.   #27 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-442323" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/06/4255AE0E-AB58-45AF-A766-F4B40B777714-scaled-crop-1707x1121-1654708970-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="405376" first="Stella" last="Galanes"]|NE Crusaders|5’7’’|PG Galanes elevates into the top 30 after an impressive spring, with her biggest performances coming against some of the best competition. I always liked how hard Galanes plays and that she never backs down from any challenge. She is one of the quickest guards in the class, a great on-ball defender, and a clutch shot creator and maker. Numerous times Galanes hit momentum-shifting shots for the Crusaders, with the degree of difficulty being very high.