2023 Rankings: Top 25 Newcomers
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In this article:
We have updated our 2023 rankings, so let’s look at the newcomers to the Top 25.
Coming in at #11:
Kyle Layton
Kyle
Layton
6'0" | PG
Mountain Brook | 2023
State
AL
(6’0/Combo Guard)
School: Mountain Brook HS
Instagram: kyle_layton_
Twitter: @kb_layton
Kyle has been a consistent source of production for Mountain Brook this year. He has been one of the most dynamic scorers in the state, and he can fill it up in bunches. He is an athletic guard that fits well into the Mountain Brook system and has become a better player over the course of the season because of the system. He is tough off the bounce, good in transition, and shoots it very well from beyond the arc.
Coming in at #12:
Caden Johnson Caden Johnson 6'5" | SF Jacksonville | 2023 State AL (6’5/Small Forward)
School: Jacksonville HS
Instagram: cadenjohnson_
Twitter: N/A
Caden is a lengthy and athletic wing who likes to get out in transition and take direct paths to the rim. He attacks the rim with vengeance, and he is a good finisher at and above the rim. Like many in the top 25, he is versatile and can produce in the scoring column. He is on a squad that is loaded with talent, and it is crazy to say this, but we have him as the #12 ranked player in his class, but is probably the 3rd or 4th scoring option on his team, which speaks to the offensive power that Jacksonville has, which is why they are ranked #2 in Class 4A. Caden is a difficult cover and can do a lot of things well on the court, which makes him a talented and critical piece to a championship team that Jacksonville is trying to become.
Coming in at #13:
Dasean Jameil Sellers (6’5/Shooting Guard)
School: Wenonah HS
Instagram: dasean.sellers
Twitter: @dasean_sellers
Dasean made headlines off the court this year due to transferring to Wenonah from Jackson-Olin early in the season. After that, he made headlines on the court because of his play. He has been a big-time scoring option for the Dragons, and his addition to the Dragons immediately made them a title contender. Dasean has helped lead Wenonah to the #2-ranking in Class 5A, and they are poised for a deep run in the playoffs.
Coming in at #14:
Thomas Dowd
Thomas
Dowd
6'7" | SF
Dothan | 2023
State
AL
(6’7/Small Forward)
School: Dothan HS
Instagram: thomasdowd_
Twitter: @thomasdowd_
Thomas has very good positional size, and he knows how to use his length on both ends of the floor. Of all the players in the top 25, Thomas is one of the best when it comes to impacting the game on both ends of the floor. He has nice handles at 6’7 and is a force to deal with off the bounce. He can score at all levels, has a lot of tools in his toolbox, and can generate points with the best of them. Look for Dothan to be a force next year, and I will drop the reasons why in a future article.
Coming in at #18:
Will Hawkins
Will
Hawkins
6'3" | CG
Sparkman | 2023
State
AL
(6’3/Combo Guard)
School: Sparkman HS
Instagram: _williamhawkins_
Twitter: @_williamhawkins
Will is one of the most versatile players in the state and in the top 25. His versatility, coupled with his athleticism, makes him one of the most challenging players in the top 25 to contain. He is explosive in transition and is a good finisher at the rim. He helped his team to a Class 7A #9-ranking, but at the time of this article release, Sparkman lost to #6-ranked Spain Park in the #Sweet16. Look for Sparkman to be right back in the hunt next year, as an improved Will Hawkins Will Hawkins 6'3" | CG Sparkman | 2023 State AL should be ready to take the basketball scene by storm next year.
Coming in at #19:
Kenneth ’KJ’ Beck (6’2/Point Guard)
School: John Carroll HS
Instagram: Kjbeckjr
Twitter: @kj10135205kj
KJ has come on the scene and is emerging as one of the top PGs in his class. He has an excellent all-around game, along with positional size. He is shifty and quick with the ball in his hands and knows how to get to his spots on the floor. I have said this before, and I cannot stress the significance of KJ’s mentoring from his head coach, former University of Alabama standout Ronald Steele. It would not surprise me that KJ emerges as the most sought out Point Guard in the state next year.
Coming in at #22
Grant Robert Stubbs (6’1/Shooting Guard)
School: Tuscaloosa County
Instagram: grant_stubbs
Twitter: @GrantStubbs23
Grant is one of the most prolific scorers in his class and has proven this year that he is lethal from behind the arc. He has game instincts and a high IQ, and when he is firing on all cylinders, he is a scoring machine. Every time I have seen Grant in action this year, he has been very efficient and productive. He has a brilliant floor game, knows how to play the game, and is a gamer when he is on the floor.
Stay tuned as we dive deeper into the updated 2023 rankings.