Class of 2023 Final Rankings: Top 5
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The rankings for the Class of 2023 have been updated for the final time — Seniors who have had remarkable careers and memorable performances now say goodbye to their High School playing days with hopefully a full heart. While some…
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Continue ReadingThe rankings for the Class of 2023 have been updated for the final time — Seniors who have had remarkable careers and memorable performances now say goodbye to their High School playing days with hopefully a full heart. While some will hang their shoes up for good, others have the opportunity to further their careers.
Here is the top 5 for the class of 2023 with explanations — Offers, statistics and awards — as to why they are ranked where they are.
Checking in as the number one overall player in the 2023 class, is Leilani Love Leilani Love 6'1" | C Albuquerque | 2023 State NM of Albuquerque High. A dynamic forward that has great length and the ability to register a double-double on a nightly basis. Love, the 2023 NM Gatorade player of the year, is a Colorado State University-Pueblo signee. The Thunderwolves are a Division II program that competes in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Last season, CSU-Pueblo hovered around .500 finishing 14-15 overall with a 11-11 conference record.
GP | PTS | PPG | FG% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG |
86 | 1464 | 17.0 | 54% | 9.6 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 2.0 |
5A “All-State” Honors: 1st Team (2023), 2X 2nd Team (2021, 2022)
5A “All-Star” (2023)
Emma Christiano Emma Christiano 5'4" | PG Las Cruces | 2023 State NM from Las Cruces, is the second ranked player for the 2023 Class. A lightning quick point guard with a high basketball IQ, that is a playmaker on both ends. Like Love, Christiano will be joining a Division II program in the RMAC. Emma is a University of Colorado Colorado Springs signee. UCCS went 10-18 overall with a 9-13 conference record.
GP | PTS | PPG | FG% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG |
98 | 1094 | 11.2 | 40% | 4.0 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 0.1 |
5A “All-State” Honors: 2X 2nd Team (2022, 2023)
5A “All-Star” (2023)
Clocking in at number three, is two-way star, Aspen Salazar Aspen Salazar 5'9" | SF Centennial | 2023 State NM , who went absolutely bananas in her Senior season at Centennial. Salazar nearly averaged 20/5/5/5 — 19.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.5 apg & 4.2 spg — a remarkable stat line! Aspen could join the likes of Love & Christiano and sign to play Division II ball in the RMAC, at New Mexico Highlands. The Cowgirls went just 8-14 during conference play but did finish .500 for the season, 14-14. As of today, Aspen has YET to make an official decision.
GP | PTS | PPG | FG% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG |
79 | 1233 | 15.6 | 41% | 5.1 | 2.9 | 3.4 | 0.6 |
5A “All-State” Honors: 1st Team (2023)
5A “All-Star” (2023)
Next up at number four, is Lila Ashida Lila Ashida 5'8" | SG Las Cruces | 2023 State NM . A multi positional player that can score inside the arc and well beyond it. Ashida, who had a phenomenal State Tournament and senior year, has multiple offers to play at the next level — Northern NM College, a NAIA program out of the Continental Athletic Conference, Cornell College a Division III program in the Midwest Conference, (10-14, 9-7) & Trinidad State, a Juco out of the NJCAA Region 9 conference (13-17, 5-5) —
GP | PTS | PPG | FG% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG |
56 | 833 | 14.9 | 38% | 5.9 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 0.2 |
5A “All-State” Honors: Honorable Mention (2023)
5A “All-Star” (2023)
Rounding out the top five is paint beast, Kathleen Obisike Kathleen Obisike 5'11" | C Hope Christian | 2023 State NM . A relentless rebounder that is one of the few players that has the potential of recording a 20/20 game — 20 points & 20 rebounds — Kathleen was the only player to record 500+ points & grab 400+ rebounds this past season!!
GP | PTS | PPG | FG% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG |
35 | 1000+ | 19.9 | n/a | 15.7 | 1.9 | 2.9 | 1.2 |
4A “All-State” Honors: 2X 1st Team (2022, 2023)