2023 Rankings – Top Newcomers

The first of two prospects on this list that you can certainly make the argument that they should have been included in the previous ranking is Moore guard Cameron Smith Cameron Smith 5'11″ | SG Moore | 2023 State OK . The senior helped guide the Lions to the state tournament and they made a deep run once they were there. Smith followed up a strong junior season with a better offseason while playing in several events on the Prep Hoops Circuit. It seemed like every time we got a chance to see Smith in person, he was one of the top players on his team. He can pull the trigger from anywhere on the floor and was one of the more consistent shooters that we saw this offseason. Which makes sense considering he was one of the best shooters from the perimeter for Moore last year. The Lions might have snuck up and surprised some teams this past March, but with Smith and some of the other returning starters, the expectations are definitely higher.

A familiar name in a new place is senior forward Cole Allen Cole Allen 6'5″ | SG McAlester | 2023 State OK . We got to see the lanky wing quite a bit throughout the offseason while his team played in several events on the Prep Hoops Circuit. Now we’re seeing him take his game up a level as he moved this offseason from Pittsburg to McAlester. Allen has been a player that has always seemed to shine, no matter what the competition was. So now that he’s at McAlester, playing against bigger competition and in a class in 5A that is incredibly talented at the top, we’re looking forward to seeing how he embraces his new role. The Buffaloes have turned into a team to watch in Class 5A and they have a good amount of talent coming back, plus the addition of Allen. He’s definitely another name that should have been on this list the last time around and we’re looking forward to seeing what he does this winter. He could be another 2023 prospect that ends up blowing up among the small colleges in the region with a good senior season.

Another player we’re excited to see this winter, but for different reasons is Coweta senior guard Na’Kylan Starks Na’Kylan Starks 5'9″ | PG Coweta | 2023 State OK . While Allen is stepping into a new role with a new team, for Starks, it’s going to be good just to see him back on the court. He missed his junior season dealing with an injury and he’s back to 100 percent as we head into the month of October. Starks is currently starting at quarterback for the Coweta football team and the basketball squad might have to wait for arguably their two best players in Starks and fellow senior Mason Ford. Currently, Coweta is the #1 team in 5A and has state title aspirations, so it might be a little bit before we see the dynamic Starks back in the gym. But we’re looking forward to him returning to the court and having a strong senior season.