July Stock Risers: 2023 Players
PrepGirlsHoops traveled to several out of state tournaments to evaluate top Arizona talent as local tournaments were non-existent due to the closure of gyms across across state. Gyms plan to be open starting in September and we expect more local…
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Continue ReadingPrepGirlsHoops traveled to several out of state tournaments to evaluate top Arizona talent as local tournaments were non-existent due to the closure of gyms across across state. Gyms plan to be open starting in September and we expect more local coverage in the upcoming week starting with the Labor Day classic at the American Sports Center.
Currently there are only 21 players ranked for the class of 2023. These rankings were published last spring and has not been updated due to a transition of Senior Scouts for the PrepGirlsHoops Arizona site. Expect 60 players to be ranked when the rankings are released on September 15th.
For this article we will profile the stock risers in the class of 2023 that were not ranked last year edition. These are players that we evaluated in Las Vegas or Denver Colorado in the month of July. Each of these players will enter the upcoming rankings.
Madelynn Muniz (PHH Prep, 5’8’’, Arizona Select) – Muniz quietly had a solid freshman year at Boulder Creek where she was often matched up with the top players in the region due to her size, talent and ability to play physical against older players. She has a solid stroke in the mid-range and out to the 3 and Muniz has the skill set and size to play multiple positions. Not sure where Muniz will land in the upcoming rankings but I will not be surprised if she is not one of the top players in the state in a couple of years. Muniz has the foundation to be really good.
Kaitlyn Elsholz (Cactus Shawdows, 5’8’’, Wing/ Shooting Guard, 602 Lady Nation) – Here is a player with a high ceiling. Elsholz is so smooth and she does pretty much everything well. She can handle, she has an efficient jumper and Elsholz gets out in transition. As Elsholz continues to mature and develop, we expect her to be a game changer by her junior year as she will be able to impact the game in many ways. The nice 2023s trio of Elsholz, Sierra Labuwi Sierra Labuwi 5'6" | CG Cactus Shadows | 2023 State AZ and Kyah Wynn will have an impact for years to come at Cactus Shadows.
Rickelle Andrade (Deer Valley, 5’7’’, Shooting Guard, TWE Elite) – Probably one of the best shooters in the state…hands down. Andrade performs well under pressure and wants to take big shots. If there is any player in the 2023 class that I would prefer taking the last shot under extreme pressure, its Andrade. She had one of the better freshmen seasons in the state in leading Deer Valley to the playoffs. Andrade constantly works on her game and she is now taking it to the rack with authority. Players can no longer sprint full speed to attempt to affect her jumper as she will now put it on the floor and take it to the rim or hit the mid range jumper. A high riser for sure.
Miyah Verse (Arizona Elite Prep, 5’11’’, Wing, Shockers) – There is no one in the 2023 class that has risen higher that this player. From an athletic standpoint, Verse is simply off the charts. A once in a while athlete like a Jamie Swan who starred at Colorado. Evaluators were amazed that she is only a 2023 player. Verse has been playing organized basketball the least of anyone on this list so she is still a little raw but if she continues to develop, she will be a top 50 player in the country before she graduates.
Storm Nguyen (Hamilton, 5’3’’, PG, Arizona Select) – Nguyen is small in stature but she sure knows how to play the game and she makes great in game decisions. She rarely makes the same mistake twice, she can shoot it and her ball handling is one of the tops in the class. Hamilton was loaded this past year…but Nguyen somehow made it on the floor as a freshman.
Lucy Lohman (Mesquite, 5’7’’, Shooting Guard, Arizona Phenoms) – It was kind of hard to evaluate Lohman because she was playing with a group of 2023 players in the 17u division. She is a good ball handler, a high effort player and she and plays with confidence. Will continue to follow Lohman this spring.
Mak Snyder (Sandra Day, 5’7’’, Shooting Guard, Arizona Shockers) – Snyder is one of those players who is always ready to play on a short notice. In July, she traveled out of state and played with older players in the 17u division and this provided invaluable experience. Snyder plays with a lot of heart and purpose and she will play to the end. Snyder will probably end up an elite defender and she will excel in transition due to her combination of speed, athleticism and effort. As she improves on on her jumper, Snyder should be a very good college prospect before she leaves Sandra Day. Snyder will not be outworked.
Hanna Young (Xavier, 5’11’’, Wing, Arizona Select) – Young is developing into a very versatile athlete who is a solid two way player. She moves well at 5’11 and Young is showing that she can take her game outside the paint. Young is very physical in the paint and is one of the better rebounders in the class. Her upside is very promising and we expect she will continue to get better as she progresses through her high school career. Her shooting and ball handing is improving with every showing due to the work she regularly puts in outside of games and team practice. Young wants to be good.
Maelyn McNealy (PHH Prep, 5’8’’, Arizona Select) – McNealy recently transferred to PHH Prep from Mater Dei (Los Angeles). She is a strong defender and a glue type player who will do all the little things to give her team the best opportunity to win. Her body type suggests that will continue to get bigger and stronger. McNealy could end up as one of the better athletes in the class.
Michaela Lee (Deer Valley, 5’11’’, TWE Elite) – Lee has improved so much over the past 12 months…probably the most improved player in the class. When her motor is high, Lee is a tough cover for anyone in the class. Great rebounder and inside scorer and she is super physical. Lee looks the part of a future impact player and definitely one to continue to follow.