Spring Player Rankings Update: What You Need to Know (FREE)
Heading into four months in existence since the Kansas site’s launch a great deal of time has been put into updating player rankings and information ahead of the summer club and basketball camp season. While still in progress, aside from the completed 2020 class, this is the first comprehensive rankings update since the initial rankings were released at the beginning of the year. This update will also include some very preliminary ranking of the 2023 class. Steve Quattrocchi recently released a terrific post about what goes into ranking decisions for PrepGirlsHoops Kentucky and it suggested to me this would be a good time to cover the same topic. Much of what I share below was inspired by a conversation I had with parent and coach of a top 2020 player about what goes into ranking players for PrepGirlsHoops Kansas.
#1. While I build the lists I draw information from a substantial number of sources. Israel Potoczny, who also puts a great deal of work into boys basketball at PrepHoops Kansas, has written many player profiles that are reflected in the rankings.
#2. I welcome recommendations, nominations, feedback, and player information from parents, other players, coaches, and etc. I do not pretend to know a great deal about every single player included. Players can be overlooked and not included. Others can be inappropriately ranked. Others move into or out of the state and their status is not reflected. Like with what Steve mentioned, the nomination process does help to get players on the radar.
#3. I watch as much basketball as I can, which includes free live-streamed contests broadcast by school-based programs and NFHS Network. My full-time job and family commitments make it difficult to travel several hours or stay overnight to take in events. During the high school season I primarily travel around the central region of the state. In the upcoming summer I am primarily targeting Wichita regional events. I am hopeful that I will be able to attend a major tournament or two in the Overland Park area and possibly a college camp or two.
#4. This list is about college potential but does factor in current performance. Statistics matter, more because that they exist and are updated as opposed to seeing big numbers. Updated statistics reflect the work coaches, especially high school, put into helping their girls get attention. The numbers can reflect the caliber of competition the team is facing, which also contributes to college potential.
#5. I mine for data and information beyond updated statistics. All-state and all-league lists, rosters on notable club teams, box scores, articles in magazines and newspapers (and their sites), noise and information shared on Twitter (find me at @RobertPGHKansas). I communicate with coaches, referees, players, parents, and other media people as well.
#6. Inevitably I look at players as if I am a coach and I am scouting an upcoming opponent. I look at a great deal of sub-areas within ball handling skills, passing ability, half- and full-court vision, speed with and without the ball, quickness on both ends of the floor, rebounding and boxing out, foot work, ability to score including creating their own shot, leadership, toughness, competitiveness, team player, build and use of the body, creativity and athleticism, jumping skills and elevation, ball and court sense, playing style, how they protect the ball, and etc. There are a couple players I probably think lower of than others because I have recognized serious flaws in their games. For instance, a top 2019 6A school had a starting guard that cannot defend specific types of players or in certain half court situations and she makes terrible decisions when faced with full or 3/4 court zone presses. The kid can shoot and otherwise handle the ball but I did not have the kid ranked very high because of the very big holes in her game. Another, a notable non-2019 player who was among the state’s leading rebounders does not have good footwork, does not transition defensively, does not elevate well, cannot score beyond 8′ from the basket, and cannot defend quicker post players of similar size. Her ranking reflects that.
Watch for ranking updates as they will be refreshed in the upcoming week or two. The 2020 should post soon and includes 101 players. Currently I am working through approximately 60 candidates for the 2021 and 2022 lists. The 2023 list is brief and very preliminary. It likely will not be released until later in the summer as more player candidates are identified to be included. Again, I welcome nominations. Contact me via twitter, RPGHKansas@gmail.com, or post in the comments area.