2022 Rankings Newcomers Pt. 1

<p><strong>2022 Newcomers</strong></p> <p>These rising juniors played their way into the rankings. Here’s some of the highest debutants.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">52. 6-3 CG [player_tooltip player_id="1049115" first="Asher" last="Woods"] – Parkview</strong></p> <p>Now that Miles Kelly is gone, [player_tooltip player_id="1049115" first="Asher" last="Woods"] will have plenty of scoring chances alongside Gwinnett County’s returning leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id="869607" first="Jason" last="Edwards"]. Woods had a strong summer both scoring and distributing. Up to 6-foot-3 now, Woods’ game is continuing to diversify.</p> <p><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">53. 6-5 W [player_tooltip player_id="1043319" first="AJ" last="Barnes"] – Eagle’s Landing<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/IMG_8267.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1048971 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/IMG_8267-150x150.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="150" height="150" /></a></strong></p> <p>I love the potential [player_tooltip player_id="1043319" first="AJ" last="Barnes"] holds with his size, strength, athleticism and skill. He’s the complete package tool-wise. Barnes is tough in the paint and has quick leaping abilities, able to corral misses and score before defenders can get their second jump. Barnes pushes the ball in transition and can get all the way to the hoop. He’s got a three-point shot that is respectable and can pull out defenses. Though their games are different, I could see Barnes posting stat stuffing lines like former teammate [player_tooltip player_id="806517" first="Kirshon" last="Thrash"] (Presbyterian) did.</p> <p><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">54. 6-8 W [player_tooltip player_id="1049116" first="Nate" last="Brafford"] – Rabun Gap</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1049116" first="Nate" last="Brafford"] led North Carolina in scoring last year at 33.9 points per game. He left Tuscola High School to reclassify to 2022 and play this upcoming season at Rabun Gap to get stronger and build on his rail thin 170-pound frame. Brafford, obviously, knows how to score the ball. He can shoot it and is deceptively smooth when attacking the rim. He came on strong with the Atlanta All-Stars and is starting to gain some momentum, picking up an offer from Western Carolina in July.</p> <p><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">72. 6-1 PG [player_tooltip player_id="1036789" first="Kyle" last="Burns"] – Wheeler</strong></p> <p>Sure to earn some minutes in the rotation this upcoming season, [player_tooltip player_id="1036789" first="Kyle" last="Burns"] looked good with Team Dickerson as a slick scoring guard. Burns can score at all three levels and still manages to find the time to get his teammates good looks. He made a positive first impression this summer and has good basketball ahead of him.</p> <p><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">76. 6-6 W [player_tooltip player_id="1011351" first="Thomas" last="Allard"] – North Gwinnett<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/IMG_8282.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1046103 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/IMG_8282-150x150.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="150" height="150" /></a></strong></p> <p>With his size on the perimeter, [player_tooltip player_id="1011351" first="Thomas" last="Allard"] is hard to miss and hard to defend. He’s got a sharp three-point shot that he can bury especially when in the corners. He’s improved his ball skills and can create separation with the dribble to pull-up from the mid-range. Allard is a solid piece over the next two years for a North Gwinnett team that is trying to build upon last year’s breakout season.</p> <p><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">82. 6-1 PG [player_tooltip player_id="1049036" first="MJ" last="Winter"] – Mt. Pisgah</strong></p> <p>Leaving Peachtree Ridge for Mt. Pisgah, [player_tooltip player_id="1049036" first="MJ" last="Winter"] will provide a shot in the arm to the Patriot backcourt. Winter is a solid scorer that can get to the hoop and score from the mid-range. He capable of playing both on and off the ball and is a reliable passer. He’s got upside defensively.</p> <p><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">86. 6-3 SG [player_tooltip player_id="1050039" first="Gaddis" last="Heath"] – Douglass</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1050039" first="Gaddis" last="Heath"] had some big scoring games for the D-Favors Celtics this summer. He’s a dual-sport standout and uses his football athleticism to slash to the basket. Heath is a streaky shooter that can fill it up in a hurry if not guarded. He came on strong down the stretch last season at Douglass and projects to be their go-to man this upcoming year.</p>