Utah’s Class of 2023 Top 25 (Part 3)
The Class of 2023 is loaded with talent from top to bottom. I want to be clear that most knowledgeable people know that rankings don’t determine who can play at the next level. Please allow me to expand on that. I will…
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Continue ReadingThe Class of 2023 is loaded with talent from top to bottom. I want to be clear that most knowledgeable people know that rankings don’t determine who can play at the next level. Please allow me to expand on that. I will use Ja Morant as an example he was not nationally ranked in high school despite the fact that he put up outstanding numbers that earned him All-State honors, as a junior and senior.
Despite all of that success, only one major program offered Ja Morant a scholarship Murray State. Why do I bring this up? I feel it is Important so, that kids in Utah don’t look at this and think that they are not enough.
Throughout the next three years, players will play themselves up and down the top 25 rankings with time and games under their belt. It is extremely difficult to cover the entire state of Utah. Many underclassmen get most of their minutes in high school during garbage time or playing on JV, and lower-level high school games such as sophomore, and freshman basketball allowing them the time to develop and grow as a basketball player.
There are 50 ranked players in the state of Utah. In this series, I will be talking about the top 25, in no particular order. I will address five players every other week; throughout the Utah Top 25 rankings. During this series of articles over the next ten weeks you can expect to see great analysis on these top 25 high schoolers. (If I don’t have enough info no analysis will be provided.) We want to cover their strengths such as: what is it that they do very well? We want to cover their weaknesses. What is it they need to work on to become a better player? The high school they currently attend and the club team they play for. We will follow their progress throughout the high school basketball season as they embark on their sophomore campaigns, this will be a fun journey as you all get to follow along, and ride this fun roller coaster with us.
We will keep a close eye on those not in the Utah top 25 rankings as well. There will be ample opportunity to move into the top 25. There will be times in which a player will be moved out of the top 25 simply for performance such is life in the Utah top 25.
Part 3 of 5…
Max Toombs Max Toombs 6'3" | CG Corner Canyon | 2023 State UT
This is a Player to watch…
Strengths:
- A natural scorer, plays at full throttle the entire game, constantly putting pressure on the defense. He is very good at using his body to shield the ball from help defenders when finishing in the lane, he is able to adjust his finishes in mid-air, making it very difficult to block his shot.
- Knows how to draw contact and doesn’t shy away, as a result, he is very good at getting to the line. Great hands and foot speed allow him to be a menace on the defensive end at times … Has shown that when he puts his mind to it, he has the tools to stay in front of pretty much anyone
- Has improved on his shooting consistency in every category, even showing more confidence is the midrange game.
High School: Corner Canyon
Club Team: Jimmer Elite
Houston Johnsen Houston Johnsen 6'7" | SF Crimson Cliffs | 2023 State UT
Strengths:
- He has the size and athleticism to be able to mix it up inside and outside.
- He shows his athleticism by finishing strong around and above the rim … His strength is also a key ingredient to his game as he is able to battle with bigger players inside and can also do some damage with his back to the basket.
- His outside shot has continued to improve and will continue to improve.
High School: American Fork
Club Team: Utah Prospects
Trey Evans Trey Evans 6'5" | PG RSL Academy | 2023 State UT
This is a prospect to watch more to come…
Strengths:
- A well-rounded point guard with excellent leadership qualities … Solid size for a point guard … Impressive speed and agility … He has the lateral quickness to stay in front of his man … Competitive defender.
- Can score when isolated because of his quick first step and ability to drive to either hand
- Respectable shooting ability that keeps the defense honest… Aggressive rebounder for a point guard … Knows how to control the pace and tempo of the game … A tough player with a calm demeanor
High School: Wasatch Academy
Club Team: Utah Prospects
Lyman Simmons Lyman Simmons 6'10" | PF RSL Academy | 2023 State UT
This is a prospect to watch more to come…
Strengths:
- Athletic big with a unique set of skills … Efficient offensive game scoring, Possesses the shooting stroke of a guard in a 6-8, large frame … Extremely good release- very effective in catch and shoot situations … soft touch … good range on his jumper is really good.
- Has shown potential as a shot-blocker with his long wingspan.
- can finish around the hoop Solid rebounder If he improves his handle and post-game, he can become a multi-dimensional offensive threat
High School: Snow Canyon
Club Team: Utah Prospects
Michael Mitton Michael Mitton 6'3" | CG Pleasant Grove | 2023 State UT
Strengths:
- Instant offense type of shooter/scorer at the lead guard position …Very composed.
- Aggressive scorer with a crafty offensive game. Really knows how to create shots and has a strong one on one game. Good shot selection … Can knock opponents off balance and uses hesitation moves extremely well to create shots with opponents falling off balance and out of his way.
- Strong jump shooter and mid-range game with a strong ability to create shots for himself off the dribble.
- Huge wingspan allows him to finish at the rim … Handles the ball decently well. A strong defender that anticipates well and uses his strength to wear down and frustrate smaller guards
High School: Pleasant Grove
Club Team: Utah Prospects