Updated 2023 Rankings: Wings Rankings (5-1)
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The updated 2023 class rankings in VA came out last week, and with that will come a lot of content in the next week or so! Today, we take a look at part 3 of the shooting guards and small…
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Continue ReadingThe updated 2023 class rankings in VA came out last week, and with that will come a lot of content in the next week or so!
Today, we take a look at part 3 of the shooting guards and small forwards, ranking the top 5.
Check out the full rankings here, and stay tuned for more content and class rankings updates!
5) Troy McKoy Troy McKoy 6'4" | SG Cushing Academy (MA) | 2024 #200 Nation New E | 6’4” | Massanutten (#7 Overall)
McKoy transferred from Connecticut to Massanutten where he played up on the post grad team and helped them to the National Prep Championship semifinals as one of their go-to options, and he has the option to go 2024 if he chooses to. He’s a wing with a good frame and strength as he can get downhill and finish through contact, he has good range off the catch and off the bounce and can knock down shots consistently from deep, he’s an unselfish playmaker when he starts to get it going and defenses start to focus on him and he’s a good rebounder on both ends too.
4) Curtis Blair III Curtis Blair III 6'6" | SF Steward School | 2023 State #211 Nation VA | 6’5” | Steward School (#6 Overall)
Blair had a huge junior season bouncing back from injury and helping lead Steward to one of their best seasons they’ve had in a while including a TCIS Championship and state tournament semifinal appearance, and he recently committed to Liberty as well. The 6’5” wing is a tough shot making specialist as he can get to spots off the bounce and he has good balance and body control to make contested midrange shots off the bounce, he can catch and stick it from deep consistently when he gets it going, he’s long and a good athlete that allows him to finish around the rim and rebound and he has take over ability when he gets it going.
3) Austin Ball Austin Ball 6'7" | SF Miller School | 2023 State #203 Nation VA | 6’7” | Miller School (#4 Overall)
Ball was West Virginia’s Class 1 Player of the Year in 2021, and he transferred to Miller School where he helped the Mavericks to one of the best seasons in the state before falling to Highland School in the state semifinals. Ball has a lot of tools that translate well to the next level as he has prototypical size on the wing to play at the highest level, he shoots the ball very well from deep and has range out to the NBA line and he has the ability to put it on the deck and get to spots to make shots from the midrange and at the rim. He’ll have a chance for a big summer running with Team Takeover this summer.
2) DeShawn Harris-Smith DeShawn Harris-Smith 6'5" | SF Paul VI | 2023 State #53 Nation VA | 6’5” | Paul VI (#3 Overall)
Harris-Smith had the breakout year of anyone on this list as he led Paul VI to the state championship and was named Player of the Year in the VISAA, and he is starting to see the biggest of schools start to come in and recruit him too. The 6’5” wing is a big time athlete who plays with a high motor on both ends of the floor and plays with toughness and grit, he showed improvement offensively especially off the bounce in his ability to get in the lane and make plays for himself and others and he improved in his ability to make shots and score it from multiple levels. He plays a winning style of basketball and makes an impact across the board, and he’ll be heavily touted this summer on the EYBL circuit where his recruitment should continue to blow up.
1) Dennis Parker Dennis Parker 6'6" | SF John Marshall | 2023 State #89 Nation VA Jr. | 6’6” | John Marshall (#2 Overall)
Parker Jr. gets the slight nod over Harris-Smith even though they have a very similar game, as he has a little bit more size and is a little more polished on the offensive end, but he’s also a two way impact player who can impact the game in a number of ways across the board. He’s very talented with the ball in his hands as he can handle it and push in transition and sees over defenders to make great passes, he’s a big time athlete with a good motor and he can finish at the rim and rebound and he can score the basketball efficiently and from different levels as well. What separates him from other very talented wings is that he is unselfish and he plays extremely hard on both ends of the floor, and he’s starting to get recognized as one of the top in the country with invites to USA basketball and a bevy of schools that will be following him this summer.