Spring Rankings Look-In: 2023 Power Forwards
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The featured image is of Taylor Guess Taylor Guess 6'1" | PF Ben Davis | 2023 State IN (2023) of Ben Davis High School. Last Monday we released the Spring rankings update for the Class of 2023. We have also…
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Continue ReadingThe featured image is of Taylor Guess Taylor Guess 6'1" | PF Ben Davis | 2023 State IN (2023) of Ben Davis High School.
Last Monday we released the Spring rankings update for the Class of 2023. We have also changed formats to make rankings more exclusive, therefore at this time we are ranking just 125 total players in the Class of 2023, with the rest being placed on a watchlist of 125 players. This is the last list to be released for the Class of 2023 before they head off to college. In the meantime, I wanted to take this time to circle back and address all of the listed prospects, position by position. Below is a look at 56 power forward prospects who make up 22.4% of the rankings this time around, with analysis on a handful to “keep an eye on” detailed at the bottom.
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STILL AVAILABLE:
To the best of our knowledge, below are five prospects who remain available and who stood out at times throughout the Winter. If any of these prospects are already committed or at least know where they are planning to attend, even if they aren’t playing, please feel free to drop us a message through the Twitter messenger. Thanks!
Mallory put up modest numbers for the Lady Eagles, but make no mistake about it, she was an integral part of their success throughout her career. She has a strong frame, she doesn’t mind physicality, and she understands how to use leverage to post up and box out. She also has a natural feel for the game, she’s great in the mid-post, and she can step outside and knock down a 3-pointer with comfort. She can play either the ‘4’ or the ‘5’, and she could be a great addition to a small college roster.
Cadence is one of the best available prospects in Southern Indiana right now, and I know a number of small colleges who could certainly use her services. When she entered high school, she was a 10-feet-and-in true center who used her strength to bully opponents. But, as she has grown, she has gotten leaner and more explosive, improved her motor, and added some mid-post skill to her toolbox. She can still play physical and aggressive inside, but she can also flex outside some now also.
Caroline is a versatile, do-a-little-of-everything-well type of forward. She has nice length, a wiry-strong frame, and she’s a solid athlete in most directions. She can play around the perimeter a little, put it on the floor productively, and she can knock down shots consistently in the mid-post. I really like her value at the defensive end of the floor, because she has a nice motor, she can pursue rebounds outside of her area, and she can defend multiple types of forwards, wings, and some guards.
Amira didn’t have a big grassroots presence, so not many people outside of Northwest Indiana are familiar with her. She is a strong, physical, but athletic power forward who is an effective rebounder and defender type. She can box out to rebound or pursue caroms outside of her area, she’ll block the occasional shot, and she plays with a solid motor. She can also come out on the floor to defend. Offensively, she is still limited to about 12-feet and in, but as that develops, she can become a handful.
Maykayla unfortunately spent the better part of last year injured, so this Winter was her first time back on the court. She is a strong, very physical, and effortful front-liner who loves to seek contact to gain an advantage. She isn’t the tallest interior player, but she understands how to use her frame to create space and score over taller, longer opponents. She does have a little touch in the short corners and the mid-post as well. She’ll need to regain some explosion and improve at the defensive end.