Positional Rankings Review: Class of 2023 Top 15 Forwards

The forwards in the class of 2023 have the largest upside of any class. The preps on this top 15 list have a lot of raw athleticism and skill that they have not tapped into which makes them a very scary group. We will take a look at the top tier of this class in this positional rankings review. Some of these players will be highly sought after from the Power 5 to the NAIA. Top Ten Forwards 1 - [player_tooltip player_id="1055172" first="Corey" last="Chest"] (6’8" - McMain) - Chest is a physical specimen. Let us start there. He can jump out of the gym and run the floor like a sprinter. His blocks and his dunks are intimidating to the other team while providing a spark for his. Frankly speaking, Chest is tipping the iceberg with his talent. He has a soft touch from 15 feet in, he can shoot free throws, and he has been in the gym all summer expanding his all-around game. This junior is the top forward in his class and one of the top three in the state. Get your popcorn ready for the next two years. (pictured above) 2 - [player_tooltip player_id="970133" first="Tyler" last="Ringgold"] (6’7" - Southern Lab) - Ringgold displayed the ability to do everything on the floor this summer. He knows how to score in the post, can face up and drive on practically anyone, and he can shoot over the majority of his defenders at a decent percentage. Ringgold is very good on the offensive boards as well and punished teams this summer and in showcase camps in that manner. His skill set is impressive and has landed him as a top 150 recruit in other publications. He will not be far from that with Prep Hoops either. 3 - [player_tooltip player_id="1055170" first="John" last="Kelly"] (6’8" - Shaun Dumas Academy) - Kelly did not have a big summer like the first two but he is another player who has a diverse skill set. Kelly is a very good rebounder, he runs the wing very well, and his touch from behind the arc is better than the two guys above. He is a player who continues to get better, however. With the national schedule that Coach Dumas has constructed, Kelly will have a chance to continue his growth against some of the nation’s best. 4 - [player_tooltip player_id="1213569" first="Jakobe" last="Dykes"] (6’5" - Springfield) - The Prep Hoops Circuit was Dykes personal playground in April and May. He was creating a buzz for himself because he could shoot the three, attack the rim from anywhere on the floor, and finish on the break. Now, as he enters his junior season, he will need to show that he can do the same at Springfield. Dykes has all the tools to be the best player in class 2A. If he plays to his full potential, there should not be any doubt. The Rest Aren’t Bad at All <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Morris-Randarius-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1269740" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Morris-Randarius-2-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> 5 - [player_tooltip player_id="1213597" first="Kamron" last="Coleman"] (6’7" - Wossman) - Coleman has that Wossman toughness in him. He does not back up from anyone and he plays hard. Coleman is a rim protector and great offensive rebounder. He will not score much but what he does on the defensive end will help the Wildcats be successful. 6 - [player_tooltip player_id="1130813" first="Joshua" last="Washington"] (6’6" - Jesuit) - He does not explode to the rim like some other guys on this list. However, he can score in the paint and has a soft touch on his jump shot which allows him to score consistently on the perimeter. This season may see Washington average a double-double because he is hard to stop once he gets the ball. 7 - [player_tooltip player_id="1130809" first="Jonathan" last="Bradshaw"] (6’4" - Ouachita) - Bradshaw is a lefty who has one of the quickest and sweetest strokes from three. He is a pick-and-pop player who is also an active rebounder on both ends of the floor. This summer he was also nailing a face up mid-range jumper. His shooting and rebounding prowess will have him on a short list of the best players in NELA. 8 - [player_tooltip player_id="970112" first="Jaylon" last="Hicks"] (6’5" - Carver) - Hicks is probably the most versatile scorer of the forwards outside of the top ten. He can rebound and score, face up and drive, and makes timely jumpers. Hicks is also good at the line as well. While he defers to Finister and Washington, Hicks can take over a game as well. He is a very good talent. 9 - [player_tooltip player_id="1213563" first="Randarius" last="Morris"] (6’4" - Northwood-Lena) - Morris still has some work to do on his all-around offensive game. However, nobody is going to run the floor and rebound like him in any class in Louisiana. Morris almost averaged a double-double last season and might very well do it this season. (pictured above) 10 - [player_tooltip player_id="1127251" first="Decedric" last="Webb"] (6’4" - Huntington) - The Raider forward is super-talented. He can finish over defenders, rebound in traffic, and run the floor. That is just what he does on a every game basis. This summer I saw him do everything from leading the break in transition to switching and guarding all five positions on a floor. He is a freakish athlete with a high ceiling. 11 - [player_tooltip player_id="1273398" first="Cardez" last="Norman"] (6’5" - Sterlington) - Norman is a rebounder and space eater around the rim. If he rebounds the ball, it will not leave his hands until he passes it. The Northwestern State Elite camp was a good showing of what he can do in the paint. Norman will be a valued inside presence in the Sterlington lineup. 12 - [player_tooltip player_id="1213632" first="Edward" last="Kornbacher"] (6’8" - Liberty) - Kornbacher has very good hands and catches the ball in tight spaces from penetration. Once he catches it, he usually finishes above the rim. Kornbacher is also good at rim runs and usually makes himself available for fast break passes. An underrated 6’8" finisher. 13 - [player_tooltip player_id="970136" first="Harvey" last="Broussard"] (6’4" - St. Martinville) - Broussard is an athletic forward along with being a standout wide receiver. He has a set of springs and will finish above the rim if he has the room. Broussard is a difference maker on the floor and will look to do just that this season. 14 - [player_tooltip player_id="1055174" first="Mekhai" last="Taylor"] (6’5" - Shaun Dumas Academy) - Taylor is a good post defender and rebounder. He is a big that will rumble with opponents in the post and will make it hard for them to score. 15 - [player_tooltip player_id="1273400" first="Braylan" last="McNeal"] (6’5" - Ruston) - Long and athletic shot-blocking forward from Ruston can run the floor. He is also agile enough to switch on multiple positions. His offensive game still has some growing to do but the physical tools are there. Other forwards to watch [player_tooltip player_id="970113" first="Jameian" last="Bruxton"] (6’3" - Thibodaux); [player_tooltip player_id="1213803" first="Brian" last="Williams"] (6’3" - Benton); [player_tooltip player_id="970127" first="Josiah" last="Jennings"] (6’4" - Patterson); [player_tooltip player_id="1130808" first="Damante" last="Thomas"] (6’4" - Ouachita); [player_tooltip player_id="1213567" first="Terrance" last="James"] (6’4" - Gibsland-Coleman); [player_tooltip player_id="970134" first="Bryson" last="Williams"] (6’5" - Southside); [player_tooltip player_id="1275317" first="Damarcus" last="Jack"] (6’3" - Elton) Watch for these names and others as we move from positional rankings to Preseason all-state teams in each class. This group of forwards should have a few names on those lists.

The forwards in the class of 2023 have the largest upside of any class. The preps on this top 15 list have a lot of raw athleticism and skill that they have not tapped into which makes them a very scary group. We will take a look at the top tier of this class in this positional rankings review. Some of these players will be highly sought after from the Power 5 to the NAIA.

Top Ten Forwards

1 - Corey Chest Corey Chest 6'7" | SF McMain | 2023 #94 Nation MO (6’8" - McMain) - Chest is a physical specimen. Let us start there. He can jump out of the gym and run the floor like a sprinter. His blocks and his dunks are intimidating to the other team while providing a spark for his. Frankly speaking, Chest is tipping the iceberg with his talent. He has a soft touch from 15 feet in, he can shoot free throws, and he has been in the gym all summer expanding his all-around game. This junior is the top forward in his class and one of the top three in the state. Get your popcorn ready for the next two years. (pictured above)

2 - Tyler Ringgold Tyler Ringgold 6'7" | SF Legacy Early College | 2023 State SC (6’7" - Southern Lab) - Ringgold displayed the ability to do everything on the floor this summer. He knows how to score in the post, can face up and drive on practically anyone, and he can shoot over the majority of his defenders at a decent percentage. Ringgold is very good on the offensive boards as well and punished teams this summer and in showcase camps in that manner. His skill set is impressive and has landed him as a top 150 recruit in other publications. He will not be far from that with Prep Hoops either.

3 - John Kelly John Kelly 6'7" | SF John Ehret | 2023 State #237 Nation LA (6’8" - Shaun Dumas Academy) - Kelly did not have a big summer like the first two but he is another player who has a diverse skill set. Kelly is a very good rebounder, he runs the wing very well, and his touch from behind the arc is better than the two guys above. He is a player who continues to get better, however. With the national schedule that Coach Dumas has constructed, Kelly will have a chance to continue his growth against some of the nation’s best.

4 - Jakobe Dykes Jakobe Dykes 6'5" | SF Shaun Dumas Academy | 2023 State LA (6’5" - Springfield) - The Prep Hoops Circuit was Dykes personal playground in April and May. He was creating a buzz for himself because he could shoot the three, attack the rim from anywhere on the floor, and finish on the break. Now, as he enters his junior season, he will need to show that he can do the same at Springfield. Dykes has all the tools to be the best player in class 2A. If he plays to his full potential, there should not be any doubt.

The Rest Aren’t Bad at All

5 - Kamron Coleman Kamron Coleman 6'8" | PF Wossman | 2023 State LA (6’7" - Wossman) - Coleman has that Wossman toughness in him. He does not back up from anyone and he plays hard. Coleman is a rim protector and great offensive rebounder. He will not score much but what he does on the defensive end will help the Wildcats be successful.

6 - Joshua Washington Joshua Washington 6'6" | SF Jesuit | 2023 State LA (6’6" - Jesuit) - He does not explode to the rim like some other guys on this list. However, he can score in the paint and has a soft touch on his jump shot which allows him to score consistently on the perimeter. This season may see Washington average a double-double because he is hard to stop once he gets the ball.

7 - Jonathan Bradshaw Jonathan Bradshaw 6'4" | SF Ouachita | 2023 State LA (6’4" - Ouachita) - Bradshaw is a lefty who has one of the quickest and sweetest strokes from three. He is a pick-and-pop player who is also an active rebounder on both ends of the floor. This summer he was also nailing a face up mid-range jumper. His shooting and rebounding prowess will have him on a short list of the best players in NELA.

8 - Jaylon Hicks Jaylon Hicks 6'5" | SF Carver | 2023 State LA (6’5" - Carver) - Hicks is probably the most versatile scorer of the forwards outside of the top ten. He can rebound and score, face up and drive, and makes timely jumpers. Hicks is also good at the line as well. While he defers to Finister and Washington, Hicks can take over a game as well. He is a very good talent.

9 - Randarius Morris Randarius Morris 6'4" | SF Northwood-Lena | 2023 State LA (6’4" - Northwood-Lena) - Morris still has some work to do on his all-around offensive game. However, nobody is going to run the floor and rebound like him in any class in Louisiana. Morris almost averaged a double-double last season and might very well do it this season. (pictured above)

10 - Decedric Webb Decedric Webb 6'5" | SF Huntington | 2023 State LA (6’4" - Huntington) - The Raider forward is super-talented. He can finish over defenders, rebound in traffic, and run the floor. That is just what he does on a every game basis. This summer I saw him do everything from leading the break in transition to switching and guarding all five positions on a floor. He is a freakish athlete with a high ceiling.

11 - Cardez Norman Cardez Norman 6'6" | PF Sterlington | 2024 LA (6’5" - Sterlington) - Norman is a rebounder and space eater around the rim. If he rebounds the ball, it will not leave his hands until he passes it. The Northwestern State Elite camp was a good showing of what he can do in the paint. Norman will be a valued inside presence in the Sterlington lineup.

12 - Edward Kornbacher Edward Kornbacher 6'8" | PF Liberty | 2023 State LA (6’8" - Liberty) - Kornbacher has very good hands and catches the ball in tight spaces from penetration. Once he catches it, he usually finishes above the rim. Kornbacher is also good at rim runs and usually makes himself available for fast break passes. An underrated 6’8" finisher.

13 - Harvey Broussard Harvey Broussard 6'3" | SF St. Martinville | 2023 State LA (6’4" - St. Martinville) - Broussard is an athletic forward along with being a standout wide receiver. He has a set of springs and will finish above the rim if he has the room. Broussard is a difference maker on the floor and will look to do just that this season.

14 - Mekhai Taylor (6’5" - Shaun Dumas Academy) - Taylor is a good post defender and rebounder. He is a big that will rumble with opponents in the post and will make it hard for them to score.

15 - Braylan McNeal Braylan McNeal 6'6" | SF Ruston | 2023 State LA (6’5" - Ruston) - Long and athletic shot-blocking forward from Ruston can run the floor. He is also agile enough to switch on multiple positions. His offensive game still has some growing to do but the physical tools are there.

Other forwards to watch

Watch for these names and others as we move from positional rankings to Preseason all-state teams in each class. This group of forwards should have a few names on those lists.