Newcomers To The Top 10

We have updated our 2022 rankings, so let’s take a look at the newcomers to the Top 10.   Coming in at #2:   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/PH-Corey-Stephenson.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1327037 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/PH-Corey-Stephenson-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1378842" first="Corey" last="Stephenson"] (6’5/Shooting Guard/2022)   School: Hueytown HS Instagram: Stbcorey Twitter: @Stbcorey   I have spoken with a lot of trusted sources in the basketball community, and there is no greater debate than who is the #1 player in the state. If there was a 1A and 1B, then it would be so much easier, but it is not, and at the end of the day, [player_tooltip player_id="890737" first="Barry" last="Dunning"], the current #1 ranked player, remains at the top of the rankings. But close behind him, and I mean VERY CLOSE, is the prolific scorer [player_tooltip player_id="1378842" first="Corey" last="Stephenson"]. <blockquote> There is no one in the state whose stock has risen like Corey’s stock. </blockquote> He has led his team to the #6 ranking in Class 6A, entering the post-season. He can put his squad on his back and lead them to victory on any given night. Look for Corey to lead his team on a deep run in the playoffs. I look forward to seeing his production and numbers that stand out. He has earned the #2 ranking and shows great promise for the next level.   Coming in at #3:   [player_tooltip player_id="748766" first="Randi" last="Ovalle"] (6’8/Power Forward/2022)   School: Success Unlimited Academy Instagram: Randiovalle Twitter: N/A   Randi is Troy University commit, and yet still unknown to many in the basketball community, he has become the talk of the state. I spoke with Paul Biancardi of ESPN, who had nothing but rave reviews on Randi’s game. <blockquote> He is highly versatile and is a highly productive player that can get it done in the post and on the perimeter. </blockquote> He shows great promise for the coaching staff at Troy, who is excited about having a weapon such as Randi coming to their program. Whether or not Randi has become the top player in the state may never be answered, but there is no doubt that Randi is in the conversation.   Coming in at #6:   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/PH-Anthony-Johnson.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1352874 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/PH-Anthony-Johnson-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1378843" first="Anthony" last="Johnson"] (6’4/Guard/2022)   School: Midfield HS Instagram: PigGlizzy Twitter: @Luhamp1   Anthony makes his Prep Hoops rankings preview at the #6 spot. He has his team ranked #1 in Class 2A in the season’s final poll. Midfield has not backed down from no one this year, as they played a very tough schedule that has prepared them for what most believe is a championship run. I would not bet against the Patriots as AJ is a game-changer. <blockquote> He is a highly competitive and productive scorer that can carry his team to the BJCC. </blockquote> He might have a small frame, but he is one of the most explosive scorers in the updated top 10. He will be a force to be reckoned with during the post-season, and he will be the center of every scouting report.   Coming in at #8:   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/PH-Efrem-Johnson.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1327039 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/PH-Efrem-Johnson-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="815585" first="Efrem" last="’Butta’ Johnson"] (6’4/Shooting Guard/2022)   School: Grissom HS Instagram: N/A Twitter: @Smoovlikbutta1   Efrem comes in at the #8 spot and has led his team to a #2 Class 7A ranking. Many people have Grissom favored to win it all, and Efrem, AKA Butta, is the reason why they are favored. One of the most lethal scorers in the state, he can get it done at all levels, and he can score in waves. <blockquote> He is amongst the top iso scorers in the updated top 10 rankings and has shown that he is very clutch and can make difficult shots. </blockquote> He is not afraid of the moment, and when the game is on the line, Butta is definitely one that you want to have the ball, as he has shown he can deliver game-winners.   Coming in at #10:   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/PH-MJ-Jones.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1374144 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/PH-MJ-Jones-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1378844" first="MJ" last="Jones"] (6’2/PG/2022)   School: Pelham HS Instagram: M.jones10 Twitter: N/A   Finishing up the top 10 is [player_tooltip player_id="1378844" first="MJ" last="Jones"], who has had an impressive Senior campaign and has improved his stock as well as received a lot of interest from college coaches. He is a very court-savvy player and is a nightmare off the bounce and in transition. <blockquote> He has a complete all-around game and can hurt you at the lead guard spot or the off-guard position. </blockquote> He is a playmaker that can create his own shot and create scoring opportunities for others. He has led his team to a #8 Class 6A ranking, and as long as he is running the show, Pelham has a chance to make some noise in the post-season.   Stay tuned as we dive deeper into the updated 2022 rankings.