2022 Updated Player Rankings Roundtable

<p>Our updated 2022 player rankings went live earlier today and as usual, the three of us got together to address some questions surrounding the updates. Enjoy!</p> [caption id="attachment_1329569" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Gavin-Walsh.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1329569" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Gavin-Walsh-300x221.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="221" /></a> {"source":"other","uid":"E91AD319-3352-4486-9404-AE1BE0755F28_1637107369538","origin":"gallery","is_remix":false,"used_premium_tools":false,"used_sources":"{"version":1,"sources":[]}","premium_sources":[],"fte_sources":[]}[/caption] <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>1. There were plenty of changes throughout the rankings. Who is a player or two you hope will live up to their new ranking?</strong></span></p> <p><em>Giacubeno:</em> 2022 West Nottingham point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1358497" first="Vakaris" last="Grauslys"] blew me away when I saw him torch John Carroll for 32 points. He showed his ability to control a game from the position, score from inside or out and brought a leadership presence that clearly reflected on his team. I haven’t seen Grauslys a ton, so I’m hoping he can live up to debuting at No. 30. I will keep a close eye on him going forward and believe at worst, he’s a high academic DIII prospect who can have a super productive career.</p> <p><em>Ayalew: </em>[player_tooltip player_id="1049824" first="Malachi" last="Briscoe"] of Ryken has made a huge jump of about 40 spots. This is in part due to the fact that he’s been healthy and productive. His team has also enjoyed a strong run of play to start the season. </p> <p><em>Wilson: </em><span style="font-weight: 400;">We spent a good amount of time talking about [player_tooltip player_id="904648" first="Gavin" last="Walsh"] and he is now slated at 13 in our latest update. He is in front of a few guys that are already committed and guys that have been on college radars for a while. Walsh had a strong summer for Team Melo and I hope he can continue the strong momentum he has during the final stretch of his high school career. Walsh is a strong and hard nose power forward standing at 6’7 who has been super productive whenever I see him.</span></p> <div> </div> <div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>2. Of the uncommitted players, who do you think has the tools to have the most productive college career?</strong></span></div> <div> </div> <div> <p><em>Giacubeno:</em> Darren Buchanan is the popular name here and for a litany of reasons, but I’ll spotlight three other prospects who I think are capable of putting together solid college careers as well.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1110545" first="Cortez" last="Johnson"] has the size and length at 6-foot-7 to be a versatile piece to a number of college rotations. His ability to impact the game in multiple ways and play much bigger than his listed height should give him ample opportunities to develop into a major piece to a low major program.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1215151" first="Cesar" last="Tchilombo"] is a workhorse big at 6-foot-8 who can control a game with his motor and ability to collect rebounds by the boatload. Throw in his coachability and experience of playing alongside talented scorers and you have a forward who wouldn’t take very long to adjust to the the Division I level.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="904682" first="Kyle" last="Pulliam"] is an interesting prospect given his solid size as a combo guard at 6-foot-4. He’s a smooth operator with the ball as a lefty who can make open shots from the perimeter and finish creatively around the rim. His athleticism and defense are two areas that are underrated, in my opinion. Pulliam will have his choice of programs from the Division II and Division III level, but I would not count him out as a solid low major prospect as the water settles towards the end of the high school season.<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Darren-Buchanan.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1203418 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Darren-Buchanan-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><em>Ayalew: </em>I think Darren Buchanan has to be at the top of this list. He impacts the game on multiple fronts. Buchanan continues to improve on his weaknesses and understands that there are many ways to make a difference. Expect that trait to translate to the next level. </p> <p><em>Wilson: </em><span style="font-weight: 400;">I know this is cliche but I think I have to go with Darren Buchanan Jr. of Woodrow Wilson. Right now he is our top uncommitted player in our rankings and has had a very strong start to his senior season. When it comes to his recruitment it is a major mystery. For Darren’s sake, I hope he goes to the right level and not a school that is too high for him because if he goes to the right situation, I think it could be an absolute game changer for a program.</span></p> </div> <div> </div> <div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>3. Who has potential to help boost their ranking the most over the next few months and why?</strong></span></div> <div> </div> <div> <p><em>Giacubeno: </em>I think [player_tooltip player_id="1198795" first="CJ" last="Scott"] has a chance to make a jump in the next update if he can continue his production that he’s put together so far for Spalding. Currently sitting at No. 37, the 6-foot-5 guard has all the tools and makeup to be a certified mid-major Division I prospect. It’s always been his motor that has been in question and in my short stints of watching him this season, I see clearly added aggression to his game. I’ve been critical of Scott in the past, but have to give him his due credit, as he’s the X-factor for this dangerous Cavaliers squad moving forward.</p> <p><em>Ayalew: </em>There are several names on the watch list who could be ranked, but aren’t because we haven’t seen them yet. [player_tooltip player_id="1358595" first="Sherman" last="Weatherspoon"] of B-CC has a chance to jump into a comfortable ranking once we get eyes on him. The film that you will find on him is impressive. The Barons are off to a solid start this season and he has been a major reason why.</p> <p><em>Wilson: </em><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="1049815" first="Travis" last="Roberts"] moved up in our latest update to number 28 and I think he has what it takes to keep on moving up. Roberts, who goes to Bishop Walsh, plays in the NIBC where he will get the opportunity to play against some of the top high school programs in the country. If Bishop Walsh wants to succeed in that league, Roberts will be crucial for them. </span></p> </div>