2022 Rankings: The Top Ten
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Continuing our statewide rankings updates for all classes, we move to the 2022 class. Looking at the class as a whole, there isn’t one dominant and clear cut #1 player. There are several players you could make an argument for…
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Continue ReadingContinuing our statewide rankings updates for all classes, we move to the 2022 class. Looking at the class as a whole, there isn’t one dominant and clear cut #1 player. There are several players you could make an argument for and these are likely to continue shuffling as they play 17u AAU soon and head towards their Senior seasons.
Rylee Samons Rylee Samons 6'7" | SF Pikeville | 2023 State KY , Pikeville – Almost any of the players in the top 10 could be the best Junior in the state on any given night and there is very little separation between the top 15 or so players. At the end of the day, we are told to rank based on college potential and Samons has more D1 offers than anyone else in the class as Morehead State, South Alabama and Tennessee Tech have all offered the 6’7 wing forward.
Maker Bar Maker Bar 6'9" | C Ballard | 2022 State KY , Ballard – It’s only 4 games into the season but Bar is showing why he has more potential than anyone else in the class. Maker can score around the rim and can make catch and shoot threes. On defense, he can alter shots and is a good rebounder. If the rest of his Junior season goes like it has started and he has a strong AAU season, Maker will be sitting on top of these rankings with the next update.
Christian Spalding Christian Spalding 6'4" | PG Evangel Christian | 2022 State KY , Eastern – Christian has been hovering around the top 3 for a while now and when he’s at his best, he is the best player in the class. He still needs to show that he can be as effective on offense without the ball as he is with it. Spalding is a ball dominant point guard and it will be interesting to see how he meshes won the Manimal roster this summer that could be playing 3 point guards at some times.
Jerone Morton Jerone Morton 6'3" | SG George Rogers Clark | 2023 State KY , George Rogers Clark – For a 3 week stretch to start the season, Jerone was arguably the best player in the state. Then he broke his wrist. Morton should be back soon and it will be interesting to see if he comes back at the same level he was playing at before his injury. He does a little bit of everything and if Jerone improves his perimeter shooting, he’ll be a mid major D1 player at the next level.
Jordan Akal Jordan Akal 6'1" | PG Harlan | 2022 State KY , Harlan – Jordan has to be on the short list for most valuable player in the state to his high school team. Everything runs through Akal for the Green Dragons and he has yet to disappoint as he is averaging over 25 points per game and shooting high percentages all over the gym. It remains to be seen if Akal is a true point guard or more of a scoring combo guard but he’s among the best players in the mountains.
James Jewell James Jewell 6'6" | PF Marion County | 2022 State KY , Marion County – Sidelined for all but one game so far this season thanks to sitting out after a transfer and two Covid stoppages, James hasn’t had much opportunity to showcase his skills this season. James is essentially a “tweener” as he plays predominantly in the post despite being built more like a wing. If he can develop his wing skills, he can move back to the top of the class.
Turner Buttry Turner Buttry 5'11" | PG Bowling Green | 2022 State KY , Bowling Green – Turner has staked his claim to being the top shooter in the state this season as he’s shooting 61/55/95 this season and making the most of his scoring opportunities. Buttry has already committed to Eastern Kentucky and fits their wide open style of play that revolves around taking and making threes.
Tim Hall Tim Hall 6'6" | PF Westminster Catawba | 2023 State SC , Paul Laurence Dunbar – Tim is the most athletic player in the state, in my opinion. He doesn’t lack skill but his skill level hasn’t caught up to his athleticism yet. As of writing this, Hall has only attempted 4 threes on the season and missed all 4. To reach the next level as a prospect, he’s got to improve as a shooter and be a threat from the outside.
Mitchell Rylee Mitchell Rylee 6'8" | C Covington Catholic | 2022 State KY , Covington Catholic – A true back to the basket post player, Rylee has had a strong start to his season at Covington Catholic after his transfer from Beechwood. Mitchell is a good two handed rebounder and is among the state leaders in field goal percentage but will need to add stretch to his game as he keeps developing or his ceiling is significantly lower.
JiAirius Webb JiAirius Webb 6'7" | PF Owensboro | 2023 State KY , Owensboro Catholic – If you’re looking for upside, Webb is probably the top 2022 on that list. But his motor has to run all the time and get more consistent from game to game. An elite athlete, Ji is a fantastic rim protector but has to keep developing his game away from the basket in order to reach his ceiling. Should be a D1 player in college.