2023 rankings update: Stock risers you should know
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Now a month into their final season of high school basketball, the Class of 2023 has one last kick at the cat. That’s true of their team goals, whether that be conference titles and section wins, or simply to improve…
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Continue ReadingNow a month into their final season of high school basketball, the Class of 2023 has one last kick at the cat. That’s true of their team goals, whether that be conference titles and section wins, or simply to improve on what they did one year ago. On an individual level, time is running out to make a name for themselves in time to advance to a next-level opportunity. As we update the 2023 prospect rankings, here are some big stock risers you should know about who are doing just that.
#52 Olivia Walsh Olivia Walsh 5'10" | CG Austin | 2023 State MN – guard, Austin
There’s one thing that separates Olivia from the rest of big 2023 stock risers we’re highlighting here: She has already earned a college scholarship. The ultra-athletic Walsh has committed to the resurgent University of Minnesota-Crookston program that is having more success currently than it has in a very long time. Olivia should fit nicely there. She does a ton of great stuff already but we expect she’ll blossom once basketball is her only athletic focus. For now Olivia has earned an eight-place bump to #52.
#55 Macaya Copeland Macaya Copeland 5'4" | CG Hopkins | 2023 State MN – guard, Hopkins
It seems like Macaya (banner photo) has come out of nowhere the past year or so. Or maybe we just weren’t paying close enough attention. Regardless, the speedy guard has roared up the rankings since first entering at #175 one year ago. She earned a bump to #164 in the winter, burst out of the AAU gates in the spring to rise to #71 in June, and now moves up another 16 positions to #55. Copeland is playing a huge role at Hopkins on both sides of the ball and her energy is contagious. Speed kills and Macaya has plenty.
#75 Haylie Strum Haylie Strum 5'6" | CG Stewartville | 2023 State MN – guard, Stewartville
Some players are just flat out entertaining to watch and Strum is certainly among them. She’s just so quick, so smart, so skilled. With terrific court vision, a fine sense of timing and pacing, and a deep understanding of what it takes to run an offense, the Tigers’ floor leader is special. If she was 5’10 Haylie’s college prospects would be very different but she’s going to be successful at the next level anyway. Stewartville is one of the most well-coached, well-organized units in the state and Strum is huge reason why. She earns a 16-position jump into the Top 75.
#79 Jessica Oberlander Jessica Oberlander 6'3" | PF Wayzata | 2023 State MN – forward, Wayzata
Jess’s improvement this year has been steady and the results speak for themselves. Among an extremely gifted group at Wayzata, Oberlander now finds herself playing good minutes off the bench for a team that is 7-1 and plays as tough a schedule as anyone in Minnesota. She’s finishing at the basket (Oberlander is top six in scoring on the Trojans), rebounding with more physical presence and playing with a lot more confidence. At 6’3 she’s going to get every opportunity at the next level. Jess moves up nine spots to #79.
#91 Sage Ganyo Sage Ganyo 5'4" | CG Mountain Iron-Buhl | 2023 State MN – guard, Mountain Iron-Buhl
There’s this kid named Zubich who always draws the majority of the spotlight at MIB and, as one of the state’s very best, that’s as it should be. Truth be, told, however, Ganyo’s play has as much of an impact on the Rangers’ success as Zubich does on many nights. The quick point guard is highly skilled, possesses a ton of confidence, plays as hard as anyone and can score inside and out. The only thing she lacks is size and most of the time she renders that irrelevant at the high school level. Sage rises 10 spots to #91.
#148 Whitley Ronn Whitley Ronn 5'11" | SF Lakeville South | 2023 State MN – guard, Lakeville South
Lakeville South got off to its best start ever by winning seven games in a row to begin the season. Everyone on the Cougars seems to have raised their game a notch or too, including Whitley. At 5’11, she’s long, athletic and versatile. Ronn is a three-sport athlete who has quietly developed into a next-level basketball prospect if she chooses hoops over soccer or track. Whitley only entered the rankings for the first time this summer and now rises 5 spots into the Top 150.
#193 Alexis Moberg Alexis Moberg 6'0" | PF Rogers | 2023 State MN – forward, Rogers
Alexis is tall and talented with long legs, long arms and pretty good touch. She can make shots in a variety of ways from many different places on the court. These things have always been true. This year, however, she has added more of a physical dimension to her game. As she does that more consistently, Moberg’s stock will rise accordingly. She moves up nine places to #193 but the possibilities are much greater than that if she plays gritty.
Other notable risers in the Top 100
#57 Brynn Busse Brynn Busse 5'6" | CG G-F-W | 2023 State MN – The gritty point guard from Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop (photo above) is a feisty competitor who has committed to Southwest Minnesota State. She moves up six spots.
#59 Jordan Munson Jordan Munson 5'8" | CG Tracy Area | 2023 State MN – The crafty guard from Tracy-Milroy-Balaton has signed with Division 2 Augustana. She improves her stock by six positions.
#66 Shawna Bruha Shawna Bruha 5'7" | CG Burnsville | 2023 State MN – The gifted guard from Burnsville has signed with Minot State University in North Dakota. She returns to the Top 70.
#74 Rayna Klejeski Rayna Klejeski 6'0" | PF Barnum | 2023 State MN – The big forward from Barnum is blossoming late in her high school career. She has committed to Minnesota-Crookston.