Player Rankings: Top 10 Hidden Gems

<p>It’s easy to call a player a sleeper, but that implies that people have seen a great deal of them. The last few months have been difficult for many players, and the opportunities to be seen have been far and few between. That doesn’t mean, however, that there isn’t a crop of talented players out there just waiting to emerge once it’s safe to return. In this article, we take a look at the top 10 hidden gems in the state. </p> <ol> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="1053245" first="Jaquavis" last="Williford"] <em>6’4 SF Western 2023 (#13PHN 2023)</em> - He fits the hidden gem model to perfection. Size and scoring ability. Williford really came on toward the end of his freshmen season. </li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="1073975" first="Calvin" last="Schmeling"] <em>6’5 SG Clark 2021</em> - Perfect gem, as he was hidden behind perhaps the nation’s best player last year. A guy with this type of length and defensive versatility to going to catch someone’s attention. </li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="930657" first="Jordan" last="Morency"] <em>6’2 PG Bishop Manogue 2021 (#7PHN 2023)</em> - The top-ranked PG in our c/o 2023 has been underwraps for a while. I did see enough of him in workouts to know that with his handle and improved athleticism he’s going to turn some heads the second he gets back on the court. </li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="927138" first="Lucas" last="Walker"] <em>5’11 PG Moapa Valley 2021 (#46PHN 2021)</em> <em>(featured image)</em> - I’m so intrigued to see Walker finally play. It’s been much too long having one of the state’s most dynamic playmakers on the sidelines.  </li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="1032085" first="Malachi" last="Richardson"] <em>6’4 PF Mojave 2024 (#20PHN 2024)</em> - Richardson just has an it quality about him. I’ve seen a little of him on film, now I need to see his development live. The young lefty is a talented low post scorer. </li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="1016606" first="Xaviel" last="Rodriguez"] <em>6’5 SG Coronado 2024 (#19PHN 2024)</em> - Safe to say, Rodriguez does not run from competition. In his short time in the states, he’s played with [player_tooltip player_id="806816" first="Frankie" last="Collins"], [player_tooltip player_id="533052" first="Jaden" last="Hardy"], [player_tooltip player_id="533064" first="Azavier" last="Johnson"], and a host of other high profile players in the state. Rangy wing shooter is one breakout game away.  </li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="927130" first="Craig" last="Comanche"] <em>6’1 CG Cheyenne 2021 (#33PHN 2021)</em> - He hasn’t played much over the course of the last year, when he does he is a talented two way player with athleticism in the backcourt. </li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="927132" first="Isaiah" last="Duve"] <em>6’1 CG Galena 2021 (#35PHN 2021)</em> - I haven’t seen Duve in 6 months, last time I did he was putting on his best Bobby Jackson impression. Intriguing combo guard with paint touch ability. </li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="985614" first="Isaiah" last="Dahl"] <em>6’3 SG Elko 2022 (#47PHN 2022)</em> - Different kind of gem here. I’ve seen Dahl play quite a bit recently, the more I watch him the more I’m convinced he’s a scholarship level player. </li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="1035941" first="Gray" last="Braun"] <em>6’4 SF Spring Valley 2021 (#76PHN 2021)</em> - I’ve heard some good things about Braun from college coaches. The wing has good size and could be a sleeper for a small school near you. </li> </ol> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/7outzbballclub1">Follow Prep Hoops</a></p>