Top 8 c/o 2023 Wings in Southeastern PA

As deep as the area's 2023 guards are, the wings make up the best position group in the class. At least six of these eight are on track to play high- or mod-major ball, and all of them are scholarship level players. When they hit the ground running for their junior years, they're going to solidify themselves as a group to remember because of their level of skill and degree of versatility.

Justin Edwards Justin Edwards 6'6" | PF Imhotep Charter | 2023 State #3 Nation PA | 6’7 Imhotep + Team Final

It only took a Public league chip and a Peach Jam title for Justin to get recognized as a consensus top 15 player nationally. Nevertheless, within that 6 month stretch, Justin displayed the skills to scale his game up as a wing initiator, then scale it back down as a glue guy on Team Final 17u. And as much as his game has grown, he is still growing into his body. So don’t be surprised when he takes another leap in his development during the 2021-22 season.

Jackson Hicke Jackson Hicke 6'5" | SF Radnor | 2023 State PA | 6’5 Radnor + South Jersey Hoops Elite

Radnor had a rocky 2021 season, but Hicke came on strong as the program’s next star. He always seems to be open from 3, with his knees bent, prepared catch and release. Jackson’s shooting is accentuated by the winning plays he makes. When teams force him off the line, he gets to the rim where he absorbs contact for touch finishes. And whether the paint is clogged in the halfcourt and/or he starts a fastbreak, his unselfishness in locating open teammates and/or pushing the ball ahead lead(s) to easy offense.

Niymire Brown Niymire Brown 6'4" | SF Upper Darby | 2023 State PA | 6’6 Friends Select + WeR1

He simply could have been grouped with the forwards and centers based on the position he plays for his team, but Chris’s skillset is most suited for the perimeter. His off-ball movement combined with his shooting are extremely valuable. Kirkland has a feel for when to attack gaps in zones and duck behind defenders in man which leads to quality looks at the rim where he shows nice touch. The paint touches Chris generates from cutting collapse the defense and from there his passing ability is evident.

Basil Laster | 6’4 Archbishop Wood + WeR1

Entering his 1st season getting varsity minutes, Bahsil’s name is just starting to circulate as a player to watch. This dynamic athlete typically plays on the weak side, denying backdoor cuts and always has good help positioning, where he racks up deflections. But his length and foot-speed make him a good on-ball defender as well, able to guard anyone on the perimeter. Offensively, he’s a secondary playmaker due to how he slashes to the rim and finds the open man when he draws help.

Matt Mayock Matt Mayock 6'4" | SG Westtown School | 2023 State PA | 6’6 Westtown + Eastcoast Power

Mayock plays complimentary basketball. He doesn’t need to dribble to be effective and is a corner 3 specialist. Matt takes and makes a high volume of threes from all over. Yet his teammates can always count on him to make himself available and slide to the corner with his feet set. The Westtown wing drives baseline when the shot isn’t there, getting all the way to the paint. But rather than get run off the line, Matt is adding quick moves to reset and still get his shot off.

Jaren Morton Jaren Morton 6'5" | SG SCH Academy | 2023 State PA | 6’5 Springside Chestnut Hill + South Jersey Hoops Elite

The swing-man from NJ joined SCH in the summer and immediately put the Inter-Ac on notice during the live period. Morton has the physical tools to play the 3 on defense and the handle to operate at the 2 on offense. Jaren’s ability to score from every level - in tandem with their other pieces - will automatically make the Blue Devils contenders for league and state titles. But it’s his ability to operate pick-and-rolls and facilitate that have college coaches salivating. 

Horace Simmons Horace Simmons 6'6" | SF LaSalle CHS | 2022 State PA | 6’6 La Salle + Philly Pride

Simmons thrived this spring and summer when he was able to play his more natural position on the wing. The spacing that his catch-and-shoot ability at his size provides gives his teams plenty of lineup flexibility and colleges are starting to take note. What Horace does from behind the arc can’t be overstated, but what he does off-the-dribble is underrated. He’s got enough burst to rip through defenders and finish above the rim.

Zion Stanford Zion Stanford 6'5" | SF West Catholic | 2023 State PA | 6’5 West Catholic + K-Low Elite

After how he showed out in the live period and on the Adidas circuit, Zion is still criminally underrated. He is a good reactive passer, can guard bigs in a pinch, and is almost impossible to stop when he gets a full head of steam. The shooting and handle are progressing nicely too. What he’s just starting to flash is iso scoring. Zion’s ability to get his momentum going towards the basket - with and without the ball - will be major long-term.

For more on the 2023 class, follow me on twitter @CGraham_Sports.