2023 Rankings Update: Top Shooting Guards

As we continue looking at the latest 2023 rankings update, let’s turn our attention to the shooting guards. The top 5 shooting guards in this incoming senior class are all ranked within the top 30 spots overall. These are all very talented players with potential to play at the next level. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="255504" first="Noelle" last="Hubert"] | Notre Dame HS | Next Level 2023</strong> <img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-329932" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/09/89-Noelle-Hubert-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />If you threw Hubert on a bad team, she would probably average 25+ points per game, if not more. However, she plays for one of the top teams in the state and has still managed to prove that she is one of the best players in the 2023 class. She can knock down shots from anywhere on the floor and she has limitless range. In the past 3 seasons combined, Hubert has shot 41.5% from 3. She finished 3rd in KHSAA’s Top 50 3-Point Field Goal Leaders this past season. She can score through drives and pull-up jumpers as well. Hubert has excellent length. Defensively, I was impressed by how well she reads the passing lanes, along with her ability to stay in front of some of the best players in the state. Notre Dame graduated 2 key players from last season and while Hubert’s role has never been small, I would expect to see her put on a show throughout her senior season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="164396" first="Kay" last="Freihofer"] | Cooper HS | Kentucky Premier</strong> Freihofer is one of the more controlled, all-around players in the incoming senior class. She does a little bit of everything when she’s on the floor. She can score inside or out, and if she gets hot from 3, you could see her knock down multiple outside shots in any given game. Her jump stops are effective and help her to not force stuff that isn’t there. Freihofer’s passing abilities are another impressive aspect of her game. She is a very versatile defender as well. She can guard any position and she does it well. Her rebounding abilities have played a big role in her team’s success. Cooper has a veteran core returning and I expect them, with Freihofer as one of their leaders, to make a lot of noise this season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="164403" first="Kylee" last="Dennis"] | Sayre HS | Kentucky Premier 17U EYBL</strong> Dennis is another one who could probably average 25+ points per game, but she is far from a selfish player so she creates for her teammates instead. Her handles are always impressive and she just looks so poised &amp; fearless when she steps on the court. She makes the defense really work to stop her and if they are able to, she delivers dimes to her teammates. Dennis can score inside or out via pull-up jumpers, layups, floaters, catch and pop shots, and more. On the other end of the floor, she’s a really solid defender and can come up with big stops. The way she elevates and reads the offense to grab steals and get deflections is a major strength in her game, and it shows the high IQ she has. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="164388" first="Saniyah" last="Shelton"] | Bowling Green HS | TN Sol</strong> Shelton can make things happen both on and off of the ball. She’s got a consistent outside shot, but her ability to finish around the rim only makes her that much more effective as a shooter. Shelton can shift her body to finish really tough shots. She can also utilize fakes to get the defense off of their feet and draw fouls or finish through contact. She is <em>so</em> athletic and has great hands. Shelton’s defense can lead to multiple steals and deflections for Bowling Green. Additionally, she can handle the ball, she’s quick, and she makes impressive passes. She’s really been growing and improving this Spring and college coaches have been taking notice - don’t expect that to slow down any time soon! <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="222954" first="Rachel" last="Smith"] | Great Crossing HS | Kentucky ICE Select 2023</strong> [caption id="attachment_440278" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-440278" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/06/Rachel-Smith3-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> PGH Buckeye Breakdown Sunday Games[/caption] Smith caught the eye of just about every PGH scout that got the chance to watch her play this Spring. That is not an exaggeration either - there were 7 different scouts, 8 including myself, who have mentioned her in articles since April of this year. That is the most I’ve seen from any player in Kentucky this year. Smith has certainly been deserving of that recognition though. It’s impossible to not notice her when she’s out there. I mean, she can pull up from Steph Curry range just as easily as she can score around the basket. Smith makes moves that impress everyone who’s watching and yet, it all just seems so natural for her. Despite her scoring ability, she is always willing to get her teammates involved. She has a high IQ, great handles, and makes some really great passes. Her defense and rebounding are other strengths in her game that truly make Smith a complete player.