Player Rankings: Top 10 Hidden Gems
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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…
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Continue ReadingIt’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.
- Jaquavis Williford Jaquavis Williford 6'6" | SG Western | 2023 6’4 SF Western 2023 (#13PHN 2023) – He fits the hidden gem model to perfection. Size and scoring ability. Williford really came on toward the end of his freshmen season.
- Calvi Schmeling Calvi Schmeling 6'5" | SG Clark | 2021 NV 6’5 SG Clark 2021 – 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.
- Jordan Morency Jordan Morency 6'4" | PG Bishop Manogue | 2023 State NV 6’2 PG Bishop Manogue 2021 (#7PHN 2023) – 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.
- Lucas Walker Lucas Walker 5'11" | 155 lbs | PG Moapa Valley | 2021 State NV 5’11 PG Moapa Valley 2021 (#46PHN 2021) (featured image) – 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.
- Malachi Richardson Malachi Richardson 6'5" | PF Losee | 2024 State NV 6’4 PF Mojave 2024 (#20PHN 2024) – 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.
- Xaviel Rodriguez Xaviel Rodriguez 6'6" | SG Trinity | 2024 State NV 6’5 SG Coronado 2024 (#19PHN 2024) – Safe to say, Rodriguez does not run from competition. In his short time in the states, he’s played with Frankie Collins Frankie Collins 6'2" | PG Coronado | 2021 State #58 Nation NV , Jaden Hardy Jaden Hardy 6'4" | CG Coronado | 2021 State #4 Nation NV , Azavier Johnson Azavier Johnson 6'4" | CG Faith Lutheran | 2021 State NV , and a host of other high profile players in the state. Rangy wing shooter is one breakout game away.
- Craig Comanche Craig Comanche 6'1" | CG Cheyenne | 2021 State NV 6’1 CG Cheyenne 2021 (#33PHN 2021) – 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.
- Isaiah Duve Isaiah Duve 6'1" | CG Galena | 2021 State NV 6’1 CG Galena 2021 (#35PHN 2021) – 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.
- Isaiah Dahl Isaiah Dahl 6'4" | SG Elko | 2022 State NV 6’3 SG Elko 2022 (#47PHN 2022) – 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.
- Gray Braun Gray Braun 6'4" | SF Spring Valley | 2021 State NV 6’4 SF Spring Valley 2021 (#76PHN 2021) – 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.